Celtic Woman: 3 Times a Charm!

Hey everyone!

This is my very special review...of a very very special show.

I woke up groggy and soar-throated yesterday morning. I found that i had a Two-hour delay and thought i would get my sweet, sweet sleep...au contraire i was forced to be up and clean horse stalls. So an hour rolls by, i'm not ready...and i rush back into the house and gather all my notebooks (I lost my keys in the process so there was a chance i couldn't drive to school) my brother is no where to be found, and there's my mother smirking evilly. She then tells me school is canceled, and i asked her why she was so delayed in her response, she replies "Oh, i just kind of wanted to see what you would do...here are your keys!".

So there was nothing really left to do except wait...and wait...and wait. I got ready around 1:30 and my friend Sami (also going to the show) picked me up at 2ish. We then hung out at her house until 4. In the meantime we had ourselves a Billy Joel pre-concert dance party. Our "book" for the ladies was partially finished in this time-frame and the rest, no lie, was finished on the sidewalk in front of the venue...

At about 4 we left for what we now know as one of the greatest nights of our fairly young life. We had our Dinner at Panera Bread which was literally a hop, skip and jump away from the venue! After a minor episode of sugar shock (only caused by yours truly) we headed off to the venue.

We got there at around 5:50ish and proceeded to wait. At around 6:20 some of the other Forum people arrived...I was finally meeting Ryan (you know it took us three years but all good things come in threes as i look at it!) and he brought the final feature to our "book", and i started to glue (with my glue stick that i bought at target two minutes before arriving at the venue) the final pieces...on the ground...outside the venue...with all the security guards staring at me like i was some loony (well i am...but they don't know me!)

We get into our seats...SECOND ROW! Jillian was on the aisle, Sami (her sister) was right next to her, Tori, then Me, then Ryan. It was truly going to be an interesting show, with Ryan's comments and Tori's comments about certain things that were happening i didn't know how i was going to bite my tongue and not laugh. So we're sitting and waiting, making small talk with all the nice old ladies behind us (they were slightly angered by the fact two tall men were sitting in front of them!) Then as it got closer we saw "Wilbur" (as he's become affectionately known as, due to my first concert at WB with Mel) climb up to the catwalk...We tried to get him to wave at us, he did...then we started blowing him kisses..and he just waved again. As we were trying to woo the light-guy, the "Voice" came on and told us they would be starting soon. (Sami and Jill could hardly contain their excitement...hahahahah!)

And so it begins;

Nil Se'n La:: I love the new beginning, and it had that haunting feeling that can only be given off by old Irish songs. The girls were simply amazing and spot on in this song and i was blown away by their brilliance. They looked exquisite on stage (as always).

Fields of Gold: This songs holds a very special place in my heart. It was my Gramie Comerford's favorite song and she used to make a point of always singing it. Lisa was beautiful, as always, and i think Ryan and I might have even got a few looks from her on this one.

The Coast of Galicia: Sami and Jill are freaking out at this point and i couldn't stop smiling. Mairead was fantastic and perfect and i really don't have the proper words to describe her (She's truly her own Adjective!). We tried counting how many spins she does, and we lost count...Sami looked straight at me and mouthed "OH MY GOD"!!!

Galway Bay: Chloe comes out and introduces this one and makes a reference to the awful weather we're having in this area which has us all laughing. This girl has so many career opportunities outside of music its unbelievable, she has such a great speaking voice and she's extremely articulate! This song hit home especially tonight because it was my Uncle Jack "Peach" Gilroy's favorite. He passed away suddenly earlier on Wednesday after a long and courageous battle with Brain Cancer. Chloe was amazing and she literally blew me away. I feel so old saying this (even though she's older than me) but It's truly wonderful to see how far Chloe has come in these last few years. She has blossomed from a teenager to a infinitely talented young woman and i know i can speak for not only myself when i say she is the IDEAL role model for girls in my age group.

Orinoco Flow (New Arrangement): This was actually a bit of a surprise to all of us. I heard the music and looked at Tori (whose eyes were as wide as i've ever seen, since this is by far her favorite song EVER). It was amazing! I taught Jill and Sami the Orinoco wave...and we all did it when it came time for it. (Are you proud, Mel??) hahaha.

My Lagan Love: This is a song i remember hearing frequently throughout my childhood. I believe its been said before numerous times, but i'm just going to echo it. Lynn has such a classic Irish voice, and she really works it. She is a superb talent and this was another favorite song of mine during the show. Tori said to me after it ended that she was really surprised how far Lynn has come since the first time she saw her (which was last year) and that she's really opened up with audiences and i couldn't have put it any better myself.

The New Ground/ Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears: Always a great crowd pleaser. This song was a beautiful song when i first heard it sung by Ronan Tynan, but now that i hear it sung by Celtic Woman, i've truly gained a whole new appreciation for the song. Granted, most of my direct relatives never came over to the U.S. during this time period, but when the girls sing this song it brings me back to that time and makes me feel as if I were Annie Moore. Spot on performance, great job Ladies and everyone!!

My Heart was Home again: Alex introduced this new number, and i was so excited about hearing it. It was absolutely beautiful. Here's another point where i got sentimental, and its all gooshy-gooshy lovie fest but, It made me think of my boyfriend who's away at college. (I called him at Intermission and told him about it and he told me i'm way to sentimental). Alex has such a wonderful stage presence, and never ceases to perform her heart out! Amazing Job, Alex!

Granuaile's Dance: I was so happy they kept this in, and so were Sami and Jill. I probably didn't mention this before but Sami and Jill are both accomplished violinists and have such a great admiration for Mairead's talent and grace (as we all do!) Miss Mairead was beautiful, poised, humorous, and perfect as she leaped and danced across the stage. I can say that watching her on stage gives me such an appreciation and drive to keep playing (due to school i've recently had to give up Orchestra and some other things involving my violin, and its tore me to pieces at times.)

Goodnight My Angel: Here's the tear jerker. This was a song my parents used to sing to me when i was just a little girl. It's such a beautiful arrangement of one of my favorite songs my one of my favorite artists. Lisa's part is what got me, i tend to think of my own mother at this point and i so badly wish she was there at that concert with me (alas she left earlier that day for a 5 day photography thing.) I had tears rolling down my face, as did Sami, Jill, and Tori.

Danny Boy: They didn't cut us a break with the tears! What a beautiful version of this song! I'm really happy that they all did this one, not to say it wasn't beautiful as a solo piece but it is UH-MAZING when they all perform it. I am finding it hard writing this review and finding the proper words to describe some songs, this is definitely one of them!

Mo Ghile Mear: YAY! they kept this song! I love singing along and dancing a bit to this song. It has such an affect on people and you can't sit still while your listening to it or watching it. It's a perfect way to end the first act of this show.
At the end of the song, we all stood up, and Lisa winked at Ryan and he didn't even notice! I laughed when he asked me if it was at him after.

INTERMISSION: So we're sitting there in astonishment, hardly being able to move, our voices hurt from singing so much and screaming at the end of every song (haha..mine still does!). We go up to the lobby to make some phone calls and get bottles of water. When we get back down to our seat, we commence trying to get attention from "Wilbur" again. More kisses and waves and "hand hearts" were sent his way. Then Ray and Nicky came out to their posts again, and I yelled to Ray and blew him a kiss, and he blew one right back at me! Gosh they must all think i'm a fool!

SECOND ACT::

The Call: The dresses are absolutely breath taking (and us girls were arguing over which ones we wanted to wear as a prom dress, and calling dibs on them.) When i first heard this song, i didn't originally fall head over heels in love with it. But when i saw it live both this & last year, it really proved itself an amazing arrangement. I even like the little dance moves, if you can even call them dancing really, in them. I like that they've added the beginning with Mairead, and its a nice replacement (i'm not even sure its meant to be) for Sky, Dawn, and Sun.

Amazing Grace: How can one put to words how utterly moving this song is, done by anyone. Its a pivotal hymn that has touched so many generations. Anthony Byrne, i forgot to mention him before, is absolutely amazing and does a truly haunting march down the aisle playing the beloved hymn twice before he gets to the stage. There was not a dry eye by the time this song had finished, and each girl amazed me with their poise, grace, and power as they sang their hearts out. By far, my favorite song of the night.

Dulaman: Lynn introduced this piece, and she had us all laughing when she called Nicky and Ray her "Two pieces of seaweed". What a classic piece this is, i thought no one could really top Meav's performance of it, but Lynn does one heck of a job with this song! She really has such a presence on the stage that is almost mystical or magical, i don't know i have a hard time with words lol!

You'll Be In My Heart: Alex gives Phil Collins a run for his money! Now if this arrangement was done for the movie Tarzan...it would've made so much more money!! (haha!) Nicky playing the Djembe also adds to the whole vibe the song gives off. Again Alex just exudes a gifted stage presence, and she does such a beautiful job with this song.

Songs from the Heart(Walking the Night) : We were all waiting for this piece and wondering what it was going to play out like, and we were surely not disappointed! Alex and Lynn's duet was so perfect and beautiful and i feel like i'm being so redundant with these adjectives! Both of them compliment each other so well on stage.

Songs from the Heart (Tabhair Dom Do Lamh/Give Me Your Hand) : I had heard that they were doing this song, and i got soooooo excited! This was the very first song i learned how to play on violin, so it holds a very special place in my heart. Lisa and Chloe did a beautiful job with this song, and when everyone joined in, WOW! I enjoyed this piece so much! Great GREAT job Celtic Woman!

The Moon's a Harsh Mistress: Lisa introduced this one, she's another one with just a beautiful singing and speaking voice.
This song is so pretty, yet so sad. Lisa looked so elegant during this song, and Mairead complimented her so well. I think we've established already that Mairead-Lisa duet is always a surefire WIN when it comes to songs!

When you Believe: Again, Chloe didn't fail to absolutely blow me away. I can't believe how much SOUL this girl has got. This songs message has become so powerful to our acting troop, its basically our theme song. Chloe has always been extremely talented, but in the last two years she's really become a powerhouse when it comes to songs. Well done Miss Agnew!!

At the Ceili: HAPPINESS!!!!! I was so so so so so so so so jazzed when i heard they were keeping this. The four of us girls couldn't contain our excitement and we were dancing in our seats the entire time. We had so much fun with this song, and the ladies got a Standing Ovation from all of us!

Non C'e Piu: What a truly exquisite piece, this is one of those songs i can listen to 9 times in a row and still enjoy it. Italian music is some of my favorite music ever produced, and when you combine that with Celtic Woman, well you have a very felice regazza in the audience. When the girls were taking their bows at the end i yelled "Bravissima" a few times and my friends told me that i was a show off for learning Italian (its not my fault i like the language, right?)

You Raise Me Up: Mairead introduced this one, and its always nice to hear her speak since she has a very sweet voice. This song is very much like Amazing Grace, although it is far younger than it, It has the ability to move people to tears and fill them with immense amounts of joy at the same time. Always a very beautiful piece and I'm so glad they never removed it from their show!

Finale: LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! I love this arrangement, especially the choir part. The percussion section is to die for in this song and there is no element that is left out. When the girls started coming out we were on our feet clapping and dancing along to the song.

ENCORE (Spanish Lady) : Chloe talked a bit before this and again proved her ability to woo an audience hahahah! I was thrilled that they were doing this again, since its such a good crowd song and keeps everyone on their feet. The four of us did the "shoulder shrug" and danced the entire song! What an absolutely amazafantasmical way to end a show. (See how bad its getting, i'm making up words now!)

M&G: So as people began to filter out of the seats we were anxiously awaiting our M&G. Poor Tori couldn't stay since her Mom was picking her up, and she didn't want to be late. So we are all shuffled into the nice room they have set up for the M&G. It seems they change the layout every year, its kind of nice getting a new perspective each time. It is announced that it will be Lisa and Mairead...which makes everyone soooooooo happy! So we all get in line, and we're close to last. Sami and Jill are in front of me and are getting progressively more nervous as they get closer. We finally get to the Table and Mairead sees my friends and she is delighted to hear that they are violinists and talks with them a bit about that. Then they move onto Lisa and talk with her while i'm chatting with Mairead. Mairead comments on how much she likes the dress i'm wearing and i tell her that she always looks so fabulous and get a good laugh out of her. Then i move on to Lisa...and what happens is completely beyond my dreams. She takes my hand and says "OH SO YOU'RE WICKIE!...I've heard soooooo much about you!" i thought i was going to cry, she was amazing and perfect and so wonderful in every way. My descriptions of her hardly do her justice, she is such a kind woman and i'm so glad to say i've met her. I ask her if she likes the "book" that we gave them, and she replies "Oh my gosh yes, you send so many cards we always love them!". It was truly a spectacular night.

Conclusion::
All in all last night can be summed up as one of the single most wonderful nights of my young life. I realized last night why i love the music Celtic Woman puts out so much. Its because behind every lyric and word that is sung and behind every note that is played; There is a huge heart of gold. Most people know i can't make it to many shows due to my busy school schedule, and Wilkes Barre is usually my only shot. But i don't believe going to every show possible gives you the same feeling as it does if you only go to one or two shows a season. I have such an appreciation for the music and an admiration for the artists behind it, and i think a huge factor in that is because I go to one show a tour season. NOW no one get up in arms with me, i'm not saying you're a bad person if you go to every show, i'm just speaking on how i feel. Thank you to everyone who made last night as amazing as it was.

Thank you all for reading my ridiculously long review....=)

Wickster xx