Tynan Sings for the Holidays

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Irish Voice Entertainment

Tynan Sings for the Holidays

December 13, 2007

By Mike Farragher

THAT majestic voice is front and center as bells and choirs garnish the familiar melodies that warm the soul. The only question out there is why Ronan Tynan hasn’t come out with a solo Christmas CD sooner. Now he has, thankfully, and it’s called I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

The disc is thoroughly charming on the whole, with the singer’s reverent and playful sides of his personality on full display. The title track and a medley of “Winter Wonderland/Jingle Bell Rock/White Christmas” evoke the wintry joy of the season, while “Silent Night” reminds you whose birthday caused Christmas in the first place.

There are a few musical pieces of coal in this Christmas stocking, including Tynan’s Irish-ed up read of “Fairytale of New York.” This song works better when you imagine Shane MacGowan slurring it in some jail cell in a puddle of his own filth (now there’s a holiday image!)

Tynan’s choir boy delivery just doesn’t cut it here. He tried this with the lads in the Irish Tenors; why he chose to tackle this mismatch again is beyond me.

“Silent Night” and “Panis Angelicus,” on the other hand, are songs that Tynan was born to sing. He crafts an innovative medley by combining “Walking in the Air” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” that is a highlight of the disc.

“The world is wrapped in joy and wonder/in silent mystery/and in this spell that we are under/blessing surround our hearts,” he sings on “Christmas Lullaby,” an original tune written by the tenor himself. Physician, athlete and motivational speaker are professions that usually describe Tynan. Now we can add expert holiday songwriter to the list!

Speaking of motivational speaking, Tynan has also released a twin-DVD exclusively through his website (www.ronantynan.net) that includes his speech, “Living Life to the Fullest.” Even the hardest corporate sharks in the audience fall to this man’s charms as he mixes life lessons with self-deprecating humor.

There is also a documentary that details the many accomplishments of the speaker. If anyone doubts that this man lives life to the fullest, pop this DVD in!

I’ll be Home for Christmas is a great gift for fans of this lovable tenor and should probably gain him many new friends. The Christmas gifts keep coming from Tynan — he has just posted on his website that he will be performing at Carnegie Hall on March 13!

Despite some fierce transcontinental travel, jetlag and a busy Irish promotional tour, we managed to chat with Ronan about the new CD and DVD, along with what’s next for the Tenor of Yankee Stadium. Here’s how it went.

What did singing holiday songs teach you as a vocalist?

No matter the song, you have to sing it to the best of your ability. I think you have to be even more careful with Christmas songs because everyone knows them and sings along. They are even more aware of your mistakes so you have to be precise.

Was there anything that surprised or challenged you in the process?

Mixing and matching the Christmas music was a big challenge. The songs in the medleys have to fit together, and the whole album has to flow from start to finish.

Putting “Walking in the Air” with “Do You Hear What I Hear?” was a particular challenge because the songs are really very different, one being a standard and the other more modern, though I thought the imagery of the two songs fit together really well. I was surprised and very pleased with the end result of that medley.

So, we have an inspirational collection, a Christmas mix and the Irish tenors work. What is next for you?

I’ll be doing a big whopping Irish CD next year. It’s in the works now, and there are plans for a Christmas TV show next year. Maybe another TV show in the fall as well.

I’d love to hear you sing Coldplay or some of the higher notes Bono sings. Any consideration for a modern pop rock collection?

I really am a latent pop rocker at heart. It’s a secret desire of mine to do pop rock. I include songs by Bruce Springsteen and U2 in my current show. Bono has a fantastic facility in his voice for high notes which I admire. I’m also moving into what I call, “Popera.” My current show has a pop version of “La Donna e Mobile” which the audiences love, and “Nessun Dorma” is in the works. I’d like to make tenor arias more pop sounding for my audiences.

I loved the motivational DVD — a great talk! Your self-deprecating style (Shrek ears) charmed the pants off the crowd. What is it that you want them to take away?

The one thing I want audiences to take away from my motivational speech is that nothing is really more important than having the will to succeed or the will to do something. If you find the will, it will bring the best from you.

What does a perfect Irish Christmas look like in your mind?

The three “F’s”—friends, family and food! I enjoy a few drinks on Christmas Eve, then get together with friends and family on Christmas Day. Christmas is a happy time to be relished and enjoyed along with the presents and Christmas cake!

What are some artists on your iPod or CD collection that would surprise your fans?

Shania Twain, Kid Rock, Bon Jovi, Aretha Franklin. I really like Ella Fitzgerald, Barry White, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton.

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