Harmony in the House as TDs eye up Christmas No 1 spot
Sat, Nov 12, 2011
THEY MAY not always be top of the pops with the public, but a cross-party collection of TDs and Senators are set to nab the Christmas number one spot in Ireland this year with a song to promote suicide awareness.
A stellar cast, assembled by first-time deputy Derek Keating of Fine Gael, is gathering in a Dublin recording studio today to lay down their special version of Bridge Over Troubled Water, and shoot a video to go with it.
Eighteen politicians have signed up for singing duty – leading the way will be Ministers Joan Burton and Simon Coveney. The group will be joined by the combined forces of the Dublin Gospel Choir and LGS – a gospel choir from Lucan.
This is a fully professional production, with Jim Sheridan, the musical director of the Late Late Show overseeing the project. The company Noel Recruitment has agreed to become the main sponsor.
Dublin Mid West TD Keating is executive producer, along with businessman Dave Kearney. They have been planning the recording since early summer and it has been one of the best-kept secrets in Leinster House.
Derek Keating is a director of the Pieta House organisation, which is based in Dublin but has outreach centres around the country. “My intention is to promote suicide awareness and raise much-needed funds for Pieta House in the process. The suicide figures here are frightening and we still don’t have conclusive numbers. People need to know we care and that there is support available for them,” he said yesterday.
A full rehearsal took place in the Leinster House AV Room on Monday morning. “It went far better than anyone envisioned. It’s going to be absolutely powerful. I can’t wait to hear the final result.” Keating and his Dáil assistant, Tommy Morris, made sure to put together a strong team of singers from both and Dáil and Seanad and from all parties and the Independents. “I think when people listen to the song, they’ll be very surprised. All concerned have worked really hard to get it right,” said Morris.
People will be pleasantly surprised by the singing skills of some of their elected representatives. They won’t be hiding in the chorus either – they all make solo contributions.
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