Tours:

Concerts:

Roanoke, February 11, 2010

 

Ticket_20100211_RoanokeThe old saying goes, “The third time's the charm,” and that was never more true than tonight.  On Tuesday, we were told that the first two nights were “trial runs” and that the third show would be the real one.  There were only two changes made for tonight's performance so CW must have been happy with the way things went.  The most visible change was the removal of the three large LCD screens that had been suspended on the back wall.  Other than a few lighting changes during the Orinoco Flow introduction to replace the missing lightning and rolling waves, I didn't see any other significant adjustments made to compensate for the screens' absence.  I personally found the screens distracting and much preferred tonight's show without them.  The other change was turning the Finale into a true encore by having everyone leave the stage after You Raise Me Up.  There were no technical glitches other than the perennial spotlight issues.  You would think that after a week of rehearsal and 2 full shows that they could turn the light on at the right time and point it in the right place.  I've given up expecting anything better.

The girls were very relaxed and the individual song introductions became almost mini-conversations.  Máiréad did 10 spins during Coast of Galiçia and instead of calling them “slimy,” Lynn said that Ray and Nicky were “all washed up.”  This may be something to watch so we can compile a list of her “insults.”  I wonder who her writer is?

Now that the the three shows are over I want to make a few personal observations.

While no show is perfect, this one is just about as close as one can get.  The Songs from the Heart show is truly a work of art and thus the use of the word masterpiece is entirely appropriate.  Lighting, costumes, and staging aside, what makes the show so perfect is the choice of the correct material for each performer.  No matter how well done, the wrong song will never have the same impact as the right one; a performer must become a part of the song.  It's not hard to tell the difference between someone who is just singing words compared to someone who is living the story they are telling.  Therein lies the core of David's genius; the presentation is just the icing on the cake.

Giving the girls a chance to speak by having each of them introduce one of their songs is a wonderful addition to the show.  Only the few with Meet & Greet passes normally get to hear the girls' natural voices but this way everyone has a chance to enjoy their lovely Irish accents and get a taste of their individual personalities.  It makes the show much more personal and intimate and I love it.

As for the music, there are a few songs that I will miss.

  • The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun was a fantastic opening number.  From a magical beginning with Máiréad appearing out of the mist to the grand crescendo at the end, it served to not only introduce but to showcase each of the performers, individually and as a group.  The Call never struck me as an equally strong opening number, although it was, and is, a great way to start the second act.  I was a little disappointed when the new DVD started with it, despite the addition of the new Máiréad solo at the beginning, and I was prepared to be underwhelmed at the premier.  But David threw everyone a gigantic curve and the new arrangement of Níl Sé'n Lá is one of his greatest achievements.  It is both dramatic and fun and provides a preview of the full range of the rest of the show.  I will still miss SDS, but not as much.
  • I've always considered Nella Fantasia to be Chloë's signature song, and I will miss it, but Non C'è Più is a very worthy and totally acceptable replacement.  It not only showcases Chloë's extraordinary soprano range, but Lynn's, as well.  It gives me both chills and tears.
  • Lisa's signature song is, of course, The Voice.  After all, her nickname is “The Voice!”  It demonstrated her amazing range and power and always brought gasps and thunderous applause from the audience.  The Moon's a Harsh Mistress is not in the same class but Lisa gives a fabulous performance and I do get a little shiver when she belts it out.  I will always miss The Voice, though.
  • One of the songs that has not been preserved on CD or DVD is Have I told You Lately from the Isle of Hope tour.  It was one of my favorite ballads from that tour and the arrangement was beautiful.  Perhaps it can be resurrected on the next tour.
  • I was surprised that Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears was kept in the new show.  It's obviously the title song for the last tour and I expected it to be retired with that tour.  On the other hand, I expected O, America! to continue since American audiences were so moved by it and it's absence will be felt.
  • I will miss Shenandoah most of all.  The Shenandoah Valley is one of the most beautiful places in America and that song does a wonderful job of capturing that beauty.  Máiréad's sterling performance has always brought a tear to my eye and each time she played it live there were little nuances that changed; no two performances were identical.  Even though it's on the New Journey DVD, the show just isn't the same without it.

From the opposite perspective, I am very happy that both Dulaman and Mo Ghile Mear were brought back from the New Journey era.  Last year I heard many comments from others that the IOH tour was not as “Irish” and had become a little too Americanized.  I love both of these songs and restoring them to the set list swings the pendulum back the other way.

Regarding the new songs not on the DVD, David has hit a homerun with both.

  • Alex's new solo, My Heart Was Home Again, is a gorgeous song and her performance is off the charts.  True Colors and You'll Be in My Heart never really “grew” on me, although Alex did a fabulous job on both of them and I enjoyed them very much.  I'm now fully on board the Alex train and full speed ahead!
  • The new Songs from the Heart combination is one of David's best compositions yet.  From the soulful longing of Walking the Night to the rejoicing Give Me Your Hand, we are taken on an emotional journey punctuated by soaring vocals in a pair of duets and a glorious solo by Tommy on the pipes in between. Well done, David.

As Máiréad's biggest fan, I am extraordinarily happy that both Coast of Galiçia and Granuaile's Dance were kept.  I still get to count spins!  I consider Granuaile's Dance to be Máiréad's signature song and it would have been sorely missed.  And once again I have to say a huge “Thank You” to David for keeping Last Rose Fantasia in the show.  Máiréad's performance of that song is the singularly most beautiful thing that I have ever heard and is one of the reasons that I attend so many shows.

Warning.  For those who don't want to read anything bad, you can stop here.

Now it's time for the other shoe to drop.  I said the show was almost perfect.  There are some things that have bothered me on previous tours but they were not really big enough or important enough that I felt the need to mention them.  This time, though, I have to speak up.  I have thought long and hard about how to word this but there is really no way to tiptoe around it.

On Tuesday night, for the first time, I saw something in the show that I felt was just plain wrong.  I discussed it with a few other members of our group and they agreed with me.  Some of them have already mentioned it in their posts but I decided to bite my tongue and not say anything.  I at least wanted to wait and see whether it might change.  It didn't, and at the risk of ruffling some feathers I've decided that I need to voice my opinion.

The long requested performance of Amazing Grace is one of highlights of the new DVD and the live version is even more stunning.  Having the bagpiper enter the stage from the audience is a lovely touch and is a wonderful surprise for those who haven't seen the show before.  And reprising Anthony's solo at the end is the perfect way to complete the circle.  The production is worthy of a standing ovation, but unfortunately there is nobody on stage to receive it.  While having the girls exit the stage, leaving Anthony alone, may be an artistic way to finish, I think it is wrong to not have them return to be recognized.  I feel that it is disrespectful to both the performers and the audience that the girls cannot be given the recognition that they are due.

A simple fix would be to have them circle around the drum towers and reenter on the back platform in the dark.  Then after Anthony finishes, hit the girls with the spotlights and let them be recognized.  They give an amazing performance and deserve more than to be backstage in the dark while the audience applauds.

I'm sorry if this offends anybody, but it has really been bothering me and I felt it needed to be put out there.  If you read this, David, please understand that I am saying this out of love for the girls.  As I'm sure you are aware, I am one of Celtic Woman's biggest supporters and I was so disappointed that I couldn't see the girls' reactions to the well-deserved standing ovation that was given and that they couldn't see the faces of those who were so moved by their performance.

I don't want to end on a downer, so let me give a big round of thank you's to those involved.

  • David: Thank you for another amazing show. I never, ever get tired of watching and listening to those wonderful voices and a certain fiddle player.
  • Alex: You are such a joy to watch.  Your face is so expressive and you project so much emotion through your lovely eyes.  And especially thank you for My Heart Was Home Again.  WOW!
  • Chloë: Your voice gets better every year and your youthful enthusiasm is contagious.  You have way too much fun on stage!
  • Lisa: You will always be “The Voice!” even if you don't actually sing it.  You better be sharing that chocolate!
  • Lynn: I see you in a whole new light now that you have “slimed” Ray and Nicky!  You used to be the mild-mannered one, but now I'm not so sure.  My Lagan Love is now your signature song.
  • Máiréad: What can I say that hasn't already been said.  You already know how I feel about you and the impact that you have had on me.  Go raibh míle maith agat.
  • Sarah, Roisin, Catherine, Dermot, Niall, and Andrew: Your voices add so much to the show and it would not be the same without you.  Maybe the “rich guy” could win Lynn's hand someday.
  • Ray, Nicky, Des, Tommy, Eoghan, and Anthony:  You are all an integral part of the show and your contributions do not go unnoticed.

Roanoke is now over and my next show will be in Charlotte.  To everyone attending the next few shows: Enjoy!

The original review is here.

 

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