I'm not sure where to start this review; there is so much to tell.  For once, I won't start with a travelogue, other than to make the observation that West Virginia apparently is unfamiliar with the concept of a snow plow.  'Nuf said.  I arrived Monday afternoon and was planning to treat Scott, Cindy and her two sons, Josh and Jeremy, to dinner to celebrate their upcoming nuptials.  As plans changed and others also arrived early, it ended up being 9 of us, including half of the “Roanoke 16”.  After a lovely dinner we adjourned back to our respective hotels to prepare for the next day's events.

Two more of the 16 had arrived later that evening and the rest began to show up Tuesday morning.  The weather was on again, off again snow but nothing we couldn't handle.  As the time for the blessed event approached we had quite a turnout at the Roanoke Courthouse.  Moscapoet had worked his magic and arranged for media coverage, but not just any coverage, this would be on television!  Local CBS affiliate WDBJ, channel 7, had a cameraman there shooting background footage and on-air personality, Keith Humphry, arrived later and interviewed the newly betrothed.

Both the bride and groom had two families present, their relatives and their forum family.  It was a lovely ceremony and I had promised myself that I wouldn't cry.  I didn't keep that promise.  I can't remember when I've seen two people happier and more in love than those two and I was more than a little overwhelmed.  Scott has been my longest and closest forum friend and I have now gained a sister to go with my forum “brother.”

A small reception was held across the street from the hotel and, after the wedding toast and cutting of the cake, the official pre-show preparations began in earnest.  Jim (mpdallen) had special buttons for the 16 of us and a  MáiréadFest certificate to be presented to her which we all signed.  I had several surprises planned, the first of which was my gift to Scott, Cindy and Jeremy of their own Fiddler Crossing jackets.  Now Texas has three official Máiréad ambassadors.  My second surprise was our new Fiddler Crossing signs.  Although we've always called it a sign, it was really an image of a sign.  Now it's a real sign, screen printed on 8” square PVC, suitable for placing along your driveway to warn visitors.  Sixteen of those signs, plus several extras for the girls, bore commemorative labels for the special event.  My third surprise, which was to be a big hit later that night, was several cases of Cadbury Flake candy bars.  Máiréad had mentioned them in the “Making of...” extra on the new DVD, so I thought I'd get some for them in case they started feeling a little homesick.  I opened a box for everyone at the reception and they actually are quite good.

After the reception, we all gathered at Annie Moore's Irish Pub for dinner before the show.  The last of the Roanoke 16 had finally arrived safely and the excitement was building as the evening progressed.  I finally stopped saying, “I am not excited!”  Dwight had Valentine's Day cards for the girls and they were passed around the table for everyone to sign.  The food was excellent and Jessica did a great job of attending to such a large, boisterous group.

The weather kept switching between rain, sleet, and snow as the temperature hovered right around the freezing mark but the roads were just wet and we all made it to the venue safely.  The first order of business upon arrival was to make a beeline for the merchandise table and get one of the new programs.  They are as lovely as always and feature several beautiful new pictures of the girls.  There is a particularly stunning one of Máiréad.  Added to program are full page spreads for Dave Kavanagh, Executive Producer, Scott Porter, Producer, and Alex Coletti, Director.  Of course, the most important section is the set list and we found several surprises.  As expected, virtually all of the songs that were new on the DVD were listed, but several songs that had been dropped during the IOH tour were brought back, and, as Alex had said in an interview, there were a few songs that would be new to all of us.  They are once again listed alphabetically so there was a lot of guessing as to what the opening and closing songs would be for both acts.  We were wrong on almost all counts; David still has some surprises up his sleeves!

Just after 7 they finally opened the doors and people began heading for their seats.  Our sixteen seats included 6 in the front row and ten in the second.  I was a little puzzled about that when I got the tickets, but it turns out there are only 7 seats in the front row.  The first seat turned out to be for a PBS representative whose “job” it was to watch the show.  Cool job!  I want that job.

The set is a little simpler than before, which I'm sure makes the setup/teardown crew happy.  Ray and Nicky are both up on platforms, with Nicky's being a little higher.  They are about 15 feet apart with a platform and a few steps down to the stage that extend the full width between them.  There are drapes on the back wall and around the platforms which are washed with various colored lights during the performance.  The backs of the steps are translucent and are illuminated, as well.  There are three large LCD panels suspended on the back wall which replace the projection screen used during the previous tour.  There are also simple drapes framing the stage, but no silhouette of Máiréad.  It is a simple but very lovely stage and suits the theme of the new show.

As the lights finally dim, we are all expecting Máiréad to appear and start playing those initial haunting notes of The Call.  Instead, the stage stays dark and the girls come out one by one, their faces illuminated only by a candle they are holding.  They start singing very softly and slowly but the words are familiar.  It's Níl Sé'n Lá, but an entirely new arrangement and in my opinion it is absolutely stunning.  After the girls have entered and positioned themselves, the chorus members walk on stage and take the candles.  Then the lights come up, they kick up the tempo and suddenly it's the DVD version. The choreography is slightly simpler because they are in their gowns rather than their Céilí dresses, but there is still plenty of dancing and it ended up being both a dramatic and delightful way to start the show.  Kudos to David for changing it up and giving us fair warning to expect the unexpected.

I won't go into that much detail on each song, Scott has already covered most of that, but I wanted to give everyone a taste of what the new show is like.  As if Coast of Galiçia wasn't already a showcase for our dear Máiréad, she has kicked it up another notch and was a whirling banshee.  She did a full 10 spins and didn't even break a sweat!  And I still get to count them.  Chloë did a delightful introduction to Galway Bay saying that she just visited there last year.  In fact, each of the girls gets a chance to speak as they introduce one of their songs.

After that it was surprise time again.  The screens started showing ocean waves and lightning and rolling thunder was heard on the sound system.  After a bit, a very faint “Sail away” is heard, then another and another, gradually building.  In case you haven't figured that out, it's the new opening to Orinoco Flow and it is just WOW.  Just one of so many WOW moments.  Following that, in an abrupt change of pace, Lynn does her breathtaking rendition of My Lagan Love with the chorus holding the candles this time.  A stage hand then brings a chair out to the center of the platform and Tommy finally gets a place of prominence, including getting hit with the big spotlight, for his The New Ground lead-in to Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.  I expected that to be dropped along with the IOH tour name, but it's nice that they kept it.

Then Alex introduces and sings her new solo piece, My Heart Was Home Again, and prepare yourself to be blown away.  It is an absolutely beautiful new song and man can that girl sing!  Yet another WOW moment.  I've always considered Granuaile's Dance to be Máiréad's signature song, but I wasn't sure they would keep it.  I'm so glad they did and I got several wonderful looks from her during that song.

I'm also glad that they brought Mo Ghile Mear back to close the first act.  They pulled out all the stops and it was like they had never stopped performing it.  What a rousing way to lead to intermission and give us time to catch our breath.  And the best was yet to come!

The second half started the way we had expected the first half to start, with the new DVD arrangement of The Call followed by one of the highlights of the night, Amazing Grace.  The DVD version doesn't hold a candle to the live version.  It starts with Anthony playing the bagpipes, starting in the back of the theater and walking down the center aisle and then up onto the stage.  He turns to face the audience and finishes his solo as the girls enter.  Words can't describe the power and beauty the girls put into that song and, to paraphrase Scott, you're made of stone if it doesn't get to you.

It was now Lynn's turn to do a song introduction and it's Dulaman, another old favorite brought back from the New Journey tour.  She said the song is about a lady trying to choose between two men by comparing them to seaweed, which got a big laugh.  This was followed by Alex's second solo, You'll be in My Heart.

Next up is something new again.  It's the title song for the tour, Songs from the Heart, and it's a very interesting multi-part arrangement.  First, Lynn and Alex start with the rather melancholy Walking the Night about someone searching for love.  Then they exit the stage and Tommy plays a lovely instrumental bridge on pipes, gradually changing from a slow and sad mood to a faster and happier one.  Lisa and Chloë then enter and start singing Give Me Your Hand, about finding love.  Lynn and Alex reappear part way through and they all finish together.  I remarked to Scott and Cindy after the show that that could have been the story of their lives and they both said that they felt the same way.  I've used this word too many times already, but it is stunningly beautiful.

Two more solos follow, The Moon's a Harsh Mistress, which Lisa introduces, and When You Believe.  They are both powerful numbers and are performed beautifully.  From the first time I heard her sing it,  I've felt that TMHM was a perfect Lisa song.  And, of course, Máiréad's in it, too!  Then it's fun time.  I think most of us expected Níl Sé'n Lá to replace At the Céilí, but we get both.  Yay!

The highlight for me, was Last Rose Fantasia still being in the show.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, David!  But instead of vanishing off stage after finishing, she launches into The Mason's Apron.  I was a little disappointed in the DVD version of this, but when she performs it live it's like night and day.  It's easy to see that she would much rather play for an audience than a camera.

Non C'è Più is my favorite group number on the DVD, although it has some serious tour competition now, and the live version is awesome.  Both Chloë and Lynn hit some unbelievable high notes.  The audience loved it so much that poor Máiréad couldn't get a word in edgewise to do her lovely introduction to You Raise Me Up as the audience just wouldn't stop applauding.  And David has made quite a few changes to the Finale.  All of the instrumentalists now get a short solo and the each of them rocks it a little in the theme of Máiréad's Jimi Hendrix style.  It is very cool.

After that, Chloë thanked the audience and as she gestured towards the back of the stage to thank the chorus, they weren't there.  Oops!  Then she thanked all of the instrumentalists and announced their names, although you couldn't hear most of it over the thunderous applause.  There wasn't an encore in the traditional sense since they just launched right into Spanish Lady without pretending the show was over but it was still a great way to finish.

After the house lights came up we, of course, couldn't stop talking about the show.  David has created yet another masterpiece.  Each tour I think he can't top himself and each tour he does it.  There are a few things in the show that I would change, though.  I won't mention them because they are just my personal opinions and, who knows, I may change my mind.  I can't wait to see it again.

Mitch finally came down and started herding people for the Meet & Greet, which was quite large.  In a very nice gesture, Mitch kept our group of 16 separate from the rest so that we could be at the end.  A big thumbs up to Mitch.  While we waited for our turn, we chatted with some of the PBS folks who were in the area.  Blue Ridge PBS handles pledging a little differently than most, preferring to get more members at a lower price point rather than gouging people with ridiculous pledge amounts.  It showed, as the theater was virtually full and the majority of those seats were PBS seats.  The same goes for the next two nights as well.

When it was announced that we would be meeting Chloë and Lisa I had a momentary flash of disappointment because I really wanted to see Máiréad and it was, of course, MáiréadFest.  Then it hit me that it was actually the best possible combination because Scott's favorite is Chloë and Cindy's favorite is Lisa.  I don't think it was an accident and thanks to Rachel for making it happen.  We left Scott, Cindy and Jeremy go last and I won't steal his thunder but theirs was an amazing meeting.

I was right ahead of them and Rachel remembered me, although she initially thought I was John (starman).  I told her that he wears a tie and I don't, so hopefully she can keep us separate in the future.  I didn't have a lot of stuff to be signed, just the new program and DVD.  Most of the things I had were for Máiréad and I'll see her next week.  I kept my surprise hidden until after I had a little time to chat with both of them and delivered some Valentine's Day cards for another member.

Then I reached into my bag and pulled out my box of Cadbury Flake bars and all heck broke loose!  Before I could even sit it on the table, Chloë grabbed it and then Lisa grabbed it from her.  I don't think I've ever seen grown women fighting over chocolate like that before!  I told them that I had more but was only going to give it to them a little at a time so they wouldn't eat it all at once.  Then Lisa said, “Máiréad's not getting any of it!”  When I see her I'll make sure they shared, and, if not, I'll give Máiréad her own personal box!

Well, if you've read this far then you obviously know that the whole day was a blast.  What a fantastic way to start the new tour: a lovely wedding between two people who are so deserving (and are now famous) and a fabulous new show full of new songs, new arrangements of old songs, and some favorites that should always be there.  It was a fabulous day with friends, many of whom I consider almost family, and the beginning of many more this year.

The original review is here.