Specials visit Ireland, Israel

Who wrote "Danny Boy"? How many different landscapes can you find in the Holy Land?

Those questions probably never occurred to you, but two new specials on PBS this month provide the answers -- and they're worth watching to learn something you didn't know before.

"Danny Boy: In Sunshine or In Shadow" examines the popular Irish ballad of love and loss, in much the same way Bill Moyers did a few years ago with "Amazing Grace."

Origins

Despite assertions to the contrary on the show, "Danny Boy" doesn't have the universal appeal of the hymn, so its genesis is not as interesting a story. "Amazing Grace" was written by the repentant captain of a slave ship; the best they can surmise is that a drunken harpist dreamed the melody of "Danny Boy" while the words came from an English jurist. The former is probably blarney while the latter, an intriguing piece of information, is not followed up on.

But the special does give several performers a chance to sing the folk tune (which has as difficult a range as "The Star-Spangled Banner"), including Sinead O'Connor, Marianne Faithful and, in film clips, Andy Williams and Tom Jones. In a lengthy and gentle solo on guitar, Eric Clapton remains silent and lets the tune carry the day.

In the end, "Danny Boy: In Sunshine or In Shadow" could have used another half-hour to pursue some leads. But the show about a song with such an Irish Catholic ambience should fascinate anyone interested in music and Gaelic culture....

Flight of fancy

While "Danny Boy" is pastoral and calm, "Israel Beyond the Horizon: A Journey from Heaven to Earth" is just the opposite. It takes a simple idea -- strap a camera on a helicopter and fly it around the Holy Land -- and turns it into a dizzying and exhilarating ride that will leave you breathless but asking for another go-round.

In eight short segments, this special zooms over Israel, leaving in its trail a host of images of colors and shapes. Rather than a traditional straight-on travelogue, "Israel Beyond the Horizon" is abstract impressionism. The sights you'll see are labeled, so you have some idea where you are; but the narration is spare, and you never land. As a result, don't expect to come away with information and knowledge. Instead, you'll come away invigorated by the flight and surprised by the variety of the topography.

Many images

From dusty deserts to snowy mountains, from whitecapped seashores to green farmland, the camera beautifully photographs the earth below -- and it sometimes does tricks to emphasize what you see. For example, in the segment on city life, the videotape is sped up to be in sync with the traffic patterns.

"Israel Beyond the Horizon" is a new way of approaching a familiar form, the travel show, and it succeeds in painting a bright and vibrant image of an ancient country.

("Danny Boy: In Sunshine and In Shadow" will be shown on WMHT, channel 17, March 16, 6:30 p.m. "Israel Beyond the Horizon" will be seen the same day at 8:50 p.m. on WMHQ, channel 45.)

(03-13-97)

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