Posted by Larry Jordan on November 17, 2014, 11:04 am
Daniel O'Donnell and Mary Duff are two such wonderful performers and genuinely nice people, I am so very proud to know them! And I am personally grateful for their willingness to help promote "The Great Jim Reeves."
In case you are not familiar with them, I wanted you to see a video of them in concert doing a song Jim Reeves also recorded!
Once you watch just one of their videos, you will want to view more (shown on the right on YouTube). They are FANTASTIC in person, doing a 2-1/2 hour show with a fabulous band. They are currently in Branson with their Christmas show through the end of this week.
I've seen the Daniel O'Donnell show in Branson on three separate occasions (my oldest son lives there), and his shows are always top notch! All three shows that I saw over a span of time included him singing SEVERAL Jim Reeves' songs, and he does them great justice.
Hey Tom, I have also had the privilege of watching Daniel/Mary in action at live concerts but normally in an arena setting.Speaking of a"span of time" he has gained a positive reputation for doing more than the traditional 90 minute show in this type of setting in that his encores have been known to extend some of his shows to two and a half to three hours much to the great enjoyment of his many fans. As well, Charley Pride has been known to appear on the same bill as Daniel/Mary and as you probably know already they are both avid fans of the late JR (see their tribute CDs about Jim). For those that cannot get to see them in person check out your local PBS programs in that they often show up just about this time of year. Cheers
What a great singing duo. He is not only a fabulous singer, but an equally graceful dancer and a comedian as well. In addition, he is an equally high energetic performer.
I watched a video of their performance done in Sri Lanka in March of this year, and I liked the variety of songs including a song by Johnny Cash - "Ring of Fire". I've watched quite a few videos and they are just lovely.
Early next year, Daniel O'Donnell will be performing on a "Caribbean Cruise" on the MS Westerdam of the Holland America Line. For those of us who love cruising, this is a fantastic opportunity to hear him perform the entire journey.
The link below is another video in concert singing "Have I told you lately" also one that Jim recorded and beautifully overdubbed by Larry and his talented team of musicians in the "Great Jim Reeves set" - a delightful classic and he sings this with so much feeling and passion with his beautiful wife, Majella. Have I Told You Lately Thanks for sharing this wonderful talent Larry.
Daniel's lovely wife Majella is a cancer survivor and woman of great courage who, when she was having her head shaved as part of her cancer treatment about to undergo chemotherapy last fall, had it done on live network TV to help encourage other cancer victims and raise money.
Daniel himself is quite an incredible man who personally had rescued children from Romanian orphanages after turmoil in that country a few years ago.
There is a lot of video of Mr. O'Donnell and Ms. Duff on YouTube to watch, and if you would like to hear and see him sing Jim Reeves' "I Missed Me," and tell the audience what he thought of Reeves, click the link below.
Daniel does a lot of country songs on this TV special taped in his homeland of Ireland, including Patsy Cline's "Foolin' Round," as well as songs that could have made great Jim Reeves tracks - notably "You Forget Me Not" and "I Forgot to Remember To Forget You."
The Reeves song occurs around 1:12 into the hour and a half show. You can start the video to play and then drag the cursor to that spot and wait for it to load.
However, watching the entire program is a very enjoyable way to spend an evening. The music is incredibly beautiful.
As I told Daniel this summer, seeing him doing Jim's songs with a fabulous orchestra is what inspired me to start doing overdubs. When you watch the close up shots of the string section you can sort of imagine what it's like when I am working with my musicians because I have assembled a team that is also very talented, when I do the Reeves overdub projects.
Not long ago I was walking up some stairs behind Trionagh Moore and Leon McCrum, the two female singers you see on stage with Daniel during this YouTube show. They were singing and harmonizing as we walked up the stairs and I told them how wonderful they sounded and they stopped and turned around on the stairs and sang to me! They both laughed and told me how much they love vocalizing, and I've found that's true of the good musicians and singers. Mary Duff says she even sings while walking her dog!
Jim Reeves was always singing parts of songs as he was playing golf or driving down the road. These people are immersed in music and what a great way to spend the precious days of your life. I think that's why I enjoy working with these talented people so much!
I do hope you commit the time to watch this entire Daniel special from a few years ago; you'll also see some gorgeous Ireland scenery. By the way, near the end of the show he sings a song that Jim Reeves and June Carter did on the new "Jim Reeves And Friends Live From Nashville" CD -- "Worried Man Blues." Just listen to it with the strings!
I really loved Daniel's version of "I Missed Me"! I've watched him perform on PBS TV quite a few times and he's very enjoyable. I've yet to hear anyone else do justice to a Jim Reeves song the way Daniel does. Thanks for this link, Larry. I haven't watched the entire concert yet, but I plan to.