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The Arrival of Fergal Flynn

by Brian Kennedy   [edition - 2004]
ASIN: 0340832290


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From London, Les tells us about a new 'arrival' for Joni in Fiction:

Just finished reading a so-so book The Arrival of Fergal Flynn recommended to me by my niece ...

A story about a young Belfast lad growing up in the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland and victim of extreme abuse by his family and at school who is discovered to be a wonderful singer and is whisked away to Rome to be taught by one of the finest singing coaches. Yeah, that's about it, you've read it, believe me.

It's written by Brian Kennedy who's better known for his singing and 'platinum-selling' albums like The Great War of Words and Get on With Your Short Life. I've never heard of him so can't comment on his singing or style. The blurb on the book states that he's had a show on BBC called Brian Kennedy on Song. Again, never heard of it.

But Joni gets a hefty mention in a romantic scene where the hero of the piece is falling in reciprocated love with the new young priest:

"Father Mac searched his record collection nervously, buying time. 'Do you mind if I put some music on? I always fall asleep with music on, turned down low so I can still hear the phone or the doorbell - '

'Sure. What've you got?' Fergal moved over to him..etc

'I don't know - let me see - Ella, Billy, Frank...Oh, I know, let's have some Joni Mitchell. Do you like Joni?'

'I don't really know. I've never heard of her.'

'What? Well you're in for the biggest treat of your life, and hopefully the start of a love affair that will only get better as you get older.' Father Mac blushed as he realised what he'd said. 'Ah, no - no, I meant with Joni's music, a love affair with her music.'"

A little later on it refers to Joni singing like a 'beautiful lonely blackbird'. Not the comparison I'd have made but there you have it.

(Contributed by Les Ross)


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» The Late Show with David Letterman (2002)
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» Will & Grace (2000)
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Poetry (15)

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» Bericht aan de reizigers by Ingmar Heytze
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» jammin' with joni by Terry 
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» Joni Mitchell Can Bite My Ass by Curtis Meyer
» Learning the Hard Way by Jane McGuinness
» Libro de Manuel by Julio  Cortazar
» Lonely With Joni by Rebecca  Stang
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» Paved Paradise  by Heidi  Lerner
» Purr by James Servin
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» Somewhere in the Buddha Night by Lester Hirsh
» You Don't Know What You've Got . . . by Paula  Harris

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» A Bermuda tour boat narration
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» Big Yellow Taxi in a political column
» Bissell Commercial
» Capitol Steps Political Parody of Both Sides Now
» CHUM-FM questionnaire
» Clean White Linen by Mark Aster
» Coldwater Creek catalogue
» Desert Island Discs - Jack Vettriano
» Doonesbury by Gary  Trudeau
» Doonesbury by Gary  Trudeau
» Doonesbury by Gary  Trudeau
» Esquire Magazine, July 2002 by Jeff Gordinier
» Extra-credit question for 5th grade students
» From a New Yorker article by Ian Frazier
» Graham Nash radio interview
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» How Keith Richards Inspired Dr. Evil by Unknown 
» Jacksonville Transit Poster Art
» Joni mention on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Disk
» Joni mention on high rotation TV commercial
» Joni-inspired painting names by Jack Vettriano
» Ken Bruce's BBC radio show
» Lorrie Moore in Reader's Digest interview
» Metro interview with Adrian Edmondson
» Motorsport Journalism - Formula One Diary by Simon  Arron
» My prom date, the spy by Lisa Zeidner
» National Lampoon parody
» National Lampoon/Bernie's column
» New South Wales Higher School Certificate Exam  by Unknown 
» The New Yorker Magazine by Victoria  Roberts
» The Night Before Christmas by Bob Muller
» Night Ride Home by Lindsay Stamhuis
» NPR science show promo
» Obama Town Hall Webcam by Reginald  Cunningham III
» A paper from War Resisters International Triennial Conference
» Parade Magazine Article by Bruce  Feiler
» Peggy Baker Dance Projects
» PhillyBaseballNews.com column by Cole Hamels
» Postcard for Common Good Planning Center in Rochester, NY
» Prop O poster in Paradise, California
» Radio 4 program about natural foods
» A Sacrifice for Friendship, Chapter 3 by DS  Bauden
» A Sacrifice for Friendship, Chapter 5 by DS  Bauden
» Salon.com political commentary
» Spaceship "Stardust" news story
» A Spray-painted cardboard sign
» Starbucks Calendar
» Summer music and drink suggestions
» The Laura Ingraham Show
» The Times of London interview with Brian Cox
» Tori Amos radio interview by Toyah Wilcox
» Tristam Shandy, A Cock and Bull Story by Steve Coogan
» Valentine's Day Editorial
» Whole Foods ad
» Windy City Media Group online interview of writer Paul Lisicky
» The Writer's Almanac by Garrison  Keillor

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