The year 2011 was a long year because I was not able to make it to any shows. So this was my first show for 2011 and was I ever excited for this day to get here. I am not going to go into details about my journey or events before the show but I will say that Pittsburgh really needs to get some Taxis. I have lived in the country and it was easier to find a cab there than it was in Pittsburgh. Now onto the show.
I got to the venue a bit early because I was hoping to meet up with Annie (Needleworklady) and Kelly. Annie had some items to give to the girls and I also had some Pixie Land buttons and cards for Máiréad along with a Christmas card and a CD by The Gothard Sisters. Pixie Land is about her music career so I felt if anyone should have some, it should be Máiréad. When I finally found Annie and Kelly, she told me she already gave her items to Bubba. She was kind enough to take me back so I could give Bubba my stuff for Máiréad. Mission accomplished!! Thank you Annie and Bubba!!
We head back into the venue and I give Annie her Raining Up CD that she won on Pixie Land. I also brought a few copies of the 2002 issue of The Living Tradition with a great article about Máiréad to give to fans along with buttons and cards. Annie brought a friend with her that is a Celtic Woman fan and is also a Máiréad fan but this was also her very first Celtic Woman show. I had an extra copy of Raining Up so I gave it to her along with a magazine. Every Máiréad fan should have a copy of Raining Up and I am on a mission to make that happen. After the show I asked her how she liked it and she was speechless. Well, I think we all can relate to that.
The stage had a Christmas atmosphere to it with a Christmas tree covered in lights at each end of the stage. Wreaths hung on the stage walls along with more lights. One could definitely feel the Christmas experience.
I have always loved instrumental music. This is one reason I favor Máiréad’s music so much. But I have never attended a live orchestra event before now. This was my first and now that I have experienced a live performance, it will not be my last. I am only guessing, but I would say this was around a 50 piece orchestra. I sat and listened as they tuned their instruments and started to get goose bumps as I was eagerly waiting to hear them. The lights went down and the hall was filled with such a beautiful sound that took me away. I loved them.
I have to say that the gowns worn are the most beautiful gowns to date. Each girl had a different design but overall they were black with some form of red in them. Glitter sparkles also illuminated from the gowns. I am one of those guys who wear jeans and a t-shirt so I know nothing about fashion but I sure can tell a quality gown. Máiréad also had what looked like a strand of silver diamonds in her hair which sparkled in the light. Lisa Kelly had the same but she had a red sparkle.
The show opened with a solo from the symphony that quickly drew me in. Not sure the name of the song but I loved it. I am not going to list every song but will hit on some highlights.
I am not sure which song she proceeded to sing, but I remember Lisa Lambe coming out on stage in this cheerful step and says “Hi everyone.” That was so cute and said so much about how much she was getting into a Christmas spirit. As I said above, this was my first show for 2011 so I have yet to hear her sing live. Let me tell you, she is radiant!! Not only does she have a great voice, I love her stage presence. During each song, Lisa would use her hands to help express what she is singing. Lisa is a true asset to Celtic Woman. She sang Away In The Manger as the symphony gave her an excellent backup. This was her first solo of the night and I sat there and listened closely and she hit each note perfectly.
They sang some songs from The Christmas Celebration and they also sang some from previous DVD’s. One for example was Chloë’s Ave Maria. There is no doubt about Chloë’s ability to sing diverse styles of music. I have never listened to opera but Ave Maria has a similar sound to opera and Chloë has the talent to make it sound perfect. You just gotta love it.
Lisa Kelly asked everyone what they would like to see on Christmas. One that stood out was Máiréad and her fuzzy socks. Lisa was also sharing her family Christmas and told us that she would be the one who would never sleep on Christmas eve and would be the first one to get everyone up the next morning. No, this was not as a child. This is now. It was so cute the way she told it.
But what Lisa brought tonight was her determination to get the audience to sing the chorus on Green The Whole Year Round. She gave us a quick tutorial and we were off. It was great and I hope we did a great job for her. We can now say that we sang with Lisa Kelly. I cannot sing a note but I gave it my best.
Máiréad did four solos: Shenandoah (my second favorite all time Máiréad song), The Butterfly, In The Bleak Midwinter and Granuaile’s Dance. I was waiting to see if she did her well known expression as she changed the tempo half way through the song. We all know that expression on A New Journey DVD. While listening to her play, I would also glance over at the orchestra and watch how the two would play in perfect unison with each other. It was music made for the ear.
One of the songs I really like from The Christmas Celebration and they performed here is Christmas Pipes. The song has a great beat and it was wonderful to hear them perform it live.
My favorite Christmas song is O’ Holly Night. Nothing else compares to this song and Celtic Woman has taken it to a new level. Their voices never cease to amaze me and as I listened, I closed my eyes and did just that – listened!!
I did a lot of yelling and hollering. I said I cannot whistle but I sure can yell. I heard Annie and Kelly in front of me giving it their all and I heard a few behind me yelling too. My throat was starting to get coarse from all the yelling. I can whistle but not real loud. But I gotta learn before spring. Now I will still yell, but I will mix it up with whistling.
Let It Snow: Great song as always. These girls sure know how to energize us and they have no problem with this song. I think now we all seek this song because we know what comes at the end. A little into the song and snow starts to fall from the ceiling and it was coming down heavy. At first I thought it was soap flakes but it was not. I still am not sure what it was but it would melt as soon as it hit us. No, it was not really snow. But cool idea it was!!
This tour is new for Celtic Woman because they have never before performed live with a full orchestra. It was a real honor to be part of this and I thank David Downes, the Symphony Orchestras and Celtic Woman for bringing us such a wonderful and breath taking performance.
Thank you
Six foot poster outside venue
