O'Connor joins Byrne at National Concert Hall
Brian, Byrne.
The audience at Brian Byrne's New Year's Eve Gala Concert at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Saturday night was treated to a surprise special guest - the recently wed and separated Sinead O'Connor - who performed the Golden Globe nominated song, 'Lay Your Head Down'.
O'Connor performs the song, with music by Byrne and lyrics by Glenn Close, in 'Albert Nobbs', the move co-scripted by Close and John Banville, and starring Close. The song has been nominated for a Golden Globe award and is also on an Oscar long- list.
The concert featured the RTE Concert Orchestra and Big Band, and featured a new arrangement of specially commissioned themes by Brian Byrne to mark 50 years since the orchestra performed at the launch of Teilifis Éireann on New Year's Eve,
1961.
From the original start-up tune for RTE, to Bosco, Glenroe, The Late Late Show and The Sunday Game amongst others, the medley also featured Riverdance.
The attendance at the concert included Gay Byrne, former presenter of The Late Late Show, and his wife, Kathleen Watkins, who was
RTE's first continuity announcer in 1961, as well as Riverdance founder, John McColgan.
The show also featured the legendary Georgie Fame, performing hits like 'Yeh Yeh', 'Mellow Yellow', 'Every Time We Say Goodbye', and his own compositions 'Little Samba' and 'Anthem for the Band', amongst others. Simon Delaney performed specially arranged selections from 'Willy Wonka', and 'Toy Story', as well as party piece 'Ain't That a Kick in the Head?'
The concert, presented by Shay Byrne, was broadcast live on RTE Radio 1 to mark the new year and RTE's 50th anniversary.
Brian Byrne returns to the NCH for a concert with the RTE Concert Orchestra and Big Band on 10th March next, with the orchestra also featuring his brother, John, on saxophone, and another Navan man, Jimmy Smyth, on guitar.
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