I just got back to the hotel after my third concert in three days.  Overload?  No way!  Ticketmaster came through at the last minute and I got second row center for both Tuesday and Thursday.  Gillian kindly shared her unused front row seat with me for Wednesday (Thanks again!).

John (JByrd) was the official forum greeter and we were able to put a few faces and names together.  I'll let him post the "official" roll call since I have a terrible memory for names.

The venue was very nice and the sound quality was excellent.  It was also one of easiest to get out of (not that I was in a big hurry to leave.)  At Wolf Trap in particular it takes forever to get out of the parking lot.  The audiences got a little more lively each night, and Thursday's crowd was quite vocal.

The shows were, of course, awesome.  There were a few small lighting glitches on Tuesday but they took care of them for the rest of the shows.  The girls were at the top of their game, as usual.

These were my first shows since June and there are a few differences.  One thing in particular I missed was Máiréad "conducting" the drum competition during Mo Ghile Mear.  Obviously though, the biggest difference is Lynn.  Earlier reviews have noted that she was somewhat nervous.  Suffice it to say, that is fading quickly.  Just from Tuesday to Thursday I noticed a big difference.  She is much more relaxed and smiling more often.  You can tell that she is not "counting steps" in her head anymore and the choreography is becoming more automatic.  I also noticed more eye contact with the audience on Thursday vs. Tuesday and she's starting to flirt a little during Dulaman.  She'll soon be one of the gang.

Lisa is positively radiant and is certainly carrying the luckiest baby in the world!  Chloë is becoming the show stealer; her stage presence is contagious and her voice is awesome.  And what can be said about Máiréad that hasn't already been said.  How she does what she does will forever be a mystery to me, and that's fine.  Her facial expressions, her flirting with the audience, and of course her playing, all while moving a mile a minute, are amazing.  And being up front you can see her lovely green eyes, if she stays still long enough!

Just a few (there are so many) of the highlights for me were:

• Over the Rainbow: I'm convinced that the audio levels are adjusted for that song since I can clearly hear Chloë's natural voice on this song but not on others.  A simply beautiful song, performed beautifully.
• Last Rose of Summer instrumental: I used to have Máiréad's Shenandoah at the top of my list, but this instrumental just blows me away.  From the first note to the last I get chills, it is so hauntingly beautiful.  What I wouldn't give to have a recording of it so I could listen to it over and over and over...
• Nella Fantasia: This has always been my favorite Chloë song and when she performs it live all I can say is WOW!
• The Voice: The title says it all.

Only one more show for me this year, that's Reading next week.  Then I'll take my turn at CW withdrawal until Spring!

Original review is here.