Francis is a really unique character. A true Irish story teller with strong interests in psychology and astrology, which he weaves into his performance. The show was not what I expected at all. It was better! Instead of hearing songs I knew, the show became a retrospective self-portrait of the human journey. Songs were interspersed with verbal vignettes of an Irish Catholic childhood spent in northern England, followed by coming of age stories, young rock start tales, and finally the recollection of mid-life crisis and collapse. He compared it to the Crucifixion, incorporating aspects of Hindu spirituality and Catholic religious references. Crucifixion as the low point followed by the rebirth of springtime, all in a human life. Every life. "You just can't avoid it. Everyone goes through it. But no one talks about it!" All of this was delivered with humor, hilarious facial expressions, and that wonderful voice. Had a few flashbacks to the last time I was fortunate enough to see him 25 years ago. Gasp. Same man, same energy, just older and so much wiser. Love to him for the work he does. Francis, when will you write a book? Or record and sell this performance? It is rare to see a human who can make his own journey through this thing called life such an authentically told story. He is a teacher.
If you ever get the chance to see him, GO FOR IT!!! I would definitely go see him again and put him in my Pantheon of Stars Not To Be Missed (but he would hate that title!)
Well, my first student will be here in one hour and my house is filthy, pets not fed, but the pain meds are kicking in and the legs are loosening. Got to get hopping. Or gimping. Cheers!