The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #124388   Message #2747989
Posted By: Dave Swan
19-Oct-09 - 12:18 PM
Thread Name: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
I found this thread yesterday and I'm still trying to get my head around it.

Several years ago at a singing session at my house Barry stood, jammed his hands in his pockets, threw back his head, and made the house ring. It was the first time I'd heard him live. Of course I was more than impressed. When he was finished Barry sat down as if what he had done was no big deal. He was the only one in the room who thought so.

On another visit out here I took Barry to the Thurday night chantey show at Quinn's Lighthouse pub. It's a regular performance of Skip Henderson and Starboard Watch with occasional guests. I asked Skip if he had a spot for a friend from out of town, which he graciously provided. During the second set Barry, the mild mannered out of towner, stood at our table and let go. Quinn's is usually pretty noisy and people seated at the bar normally shout over the music. Barry wasn't far into his song when the place fell quiet. He had the room to himself and made the best of it. The place went crazy when Barry finished. He acknowledged the applause with a little shrug and sat down, again as if nothing wonderful had just poured out of him.

Talent, warmth and style.

Like the rest of us, I'll miss him.

Warmest condolences to Justine, Natalie and Gabriel.

D