Celtic Woman

I was able to view the latest Celtic Woman PBS special, Believe, this last week on one of our local PBS stations and it is playing again as I write. I love these Celtic Woman specials and have watched most of them over the years. The only down side is that they always coincide with fund raising for public television which means frequent interruptions, making the program more time consuming than necessary. Celtic Woman has been around since 2004 and is the brain child of Sharon Browne, producer and David Downes, musical director. The concept consists of a handful of soprano soloists and one female fiddle player doing a variety of songs in a manner that melds musical theatre with Irish folk, featuring modern and traditional numbers. Their music is both joyful and inspirational. For the most part the music is complex with chorus, orchestra, percussion, piano and of course fiddle/violin. Irish whistles and bag pipes are also often included. If you follow my thoughts at all, you'll know I lean towards simple arrangements sung by low voiced female singer/songwriters, but I'm making an exception here! These folks have created a formula that is very much like a well done Broadway show, visually and sonically pleasing. Truth of the matter, I do like a well performed Broadway performance, so this really isn't that far removed from my reality. Also, this concept is totally driven by the vocals and that for me is what always matters most. The principle artists are: Chloe Agnew, Lisa Kelly and Mairead Nesbitt. These 3 have been part of the group from the beginning. Mairead Nesbitt is the truly amazing fiddle/violin player. Chloe Agnew practically grew up with the group, being only 15 at its inception. Lisa Kelly was the lead singer for Riverdance for several years before becoming an original soloist with Celtic Woman. Sopranos beside Agnew and Kelly have come and gone over the years. They include: Meav Ní Mhaolchatha, Orla Fallon, Deirdre Shannon, Hayley Westenra, Alex Sharpe,  Lynn Hilary and Lisa Lambe. There's some speculation out on the web about why there's been so much turnover. It's not my purpose to "dish" on this blog. If I've created curiosity, it can easily be satisfied with a bit of Google searching. Let me just say that the group has maintained a gruelling tour schedule and I'm amazed that any of the original cast is still on board. Alex Sharpe is an LDS girl and when she claims she quit in order to spend more time with her family, I'm inclined to believe her. Lisa Kelly has taken one maternity break and is about to take another. She brings her family with her when touring so could be she's found a way to keep a balance and make it all work out. At any rate, there are ample reasons to leave and most likely ample reasons to stay. The fact that they lured one of Ireland's most popular musical theatre performers in Lisa Lambe into the fold belies some of the rumors of managerial problems. I like their stuff well enough that I've invested in 3 of their albums, 4 if you count Lisa Kelly's solo album. Lisa has always been my favorite of the bunch having one of the purest, sweetest voices I've ever heard, but they are all incredible vocalists, testimony to David Downe's ear for talent. In my mind the greatest loss to the group was when Orla Fallon dropped out. She has the most authentic, traditional, lilting Irish tone. The fact that she also often accompanies herself on Irish harp adds to the mystique. The albums I have besides Lisa's are: A Christmas Celebration, A New Journey and Songs From the Heart. All are wonderful and feature many memorable performances. The new show, Believe was filmed in the Fox theatre in Atlanta. Lisa Lambe is the latest addition to the group. They have only 3 vocal soloists now. Originally there were 4. I don't miss having more. It works just fine with 3 and Lisa Lambe sparkles. She could take over for Lisa Kelly in my heart if she's not careful! An interesting bit I noticed as I watched this new show is Lisa Kelly's rendition of The Water Is Wide. This song appears in it's more morbid Irish version, Carrickfergus, on her solo album and also by Orla Fallon on A New Journey. The audience reaction to  Believe in Atlanta is pretty indicative of how these girls are received all over the world. Celtic Woman has been an amazing success story, especially in the USA. There's a connection here, we seem to have a fascination with all things Irish. In my estimation Songs From the Heart was a tribute the USA with its emphasis on immigration via Ellis Island. I think the love goes both ways. Also, the love the girls have for each other appears genuine and is a definite part of the appeal. I love 'em too! Check them out on your local PBS station and/or see them live when they come to a city near you. Believe as recorded features an amazing children's chorus as well a a greater emphasis on dancing than previous shows. I'm sure the  live show will be similar and it'll be great. They'll be in Salt Lake City in April. I saw them here when Lisa Kelly was on maternity leave with Alex Sharpe filling in and they were wonderful. I'm leaning towards going again even though that particular Lisa will probably be gone again. It'll be worth it for Cloe, Lisa Lambe and Mairead if for no other reason!

Favorite Christmas Albums

During our recent family Thanksgiving gathering, my son John asked everyone to name their favorite Christmas album. When it came my turn I didn't have to think about it at all. I immediately popped out with "The Carpenter's Christmas album", meaning of course, their first one,  Christmas Portrait. Interestingly enough, it was also the favorite of both my sons. It's one of those albums that became a tradition in our home when our children were young. Back then it was a cassette tape copy. I finally bought a cd copy last year and opted for the double album that also includes their second Christmas album, An Old Fashioned Christmas. The latter was first released a year after Karen's death. The reason these albums are important is Karen's magnificent vocals. I've heard it said that she is the best female pop vocalist of all time. Pretty heavy duty claim, but one I agree with! The flaw in both albums is there is too much superfluous stuff. That's a minor flaw in the first one, and a major flaw in the second where Karen doesn't come in until the 5th track! All is forgiven however when Karen soars on songs both old and new. Their well known Merry Christmas Darling needs no introduction. Other favorites include Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Waltz, Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song, Christ Is Born and from the 2nd album Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Little Altar Boy, which although not really a Christmas song, carries a similar spirit to Ave Maria which closes the first album.

Other family favorites Bing Crosby's White Christmas album, Harry Connick Jr.'s When My Heart Finds Christmas and various and sundry compilation albums that feature such people as Perry Como, Dean Martin, Doris Day and Johnny Mathis. One of my favorite tracks from a compilation we often play is Roger Whittacker's take on Ding Dong Merrily On High.

Some of my personal favorite Christmas albums are: Messiah with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, A Christmas Celebration by Celtic Woman, Good News and Joy For Christmas Day both by Kathy Mattea, December in Vermont by Diane Zeigler, Greatest Christmas Songs by Julie Andrews and last but not least, Nancy Hanson's All Wrapped Up. Based on a recent Facebook post, you might just be able to get a swingin' deal on Nancy's album. Contact info available at:

http://www.nancyhanson.com/

Christmas albums are a mixed bag, so I'm pretty careful about the ones I pick up. My personal collection is pretty small. I guess I'd rather spend my money on music I can listen to all year long, but this gives an idea of what I like. My brother and sister will probably take issue with my not including The Beach Boy's Christmas Album, but that became my parent's family favorite long after I'd left home, so it just never took with me. That being said, who can fault Little Saint Nick?

Donald Davis

Ok, maybe this isn't exactly musical, but it was billed as a concert! last night I took the opportunity to hear (and see!) Donald Davis perform. He is probably the premier professional storyteller in the USA, at least according to people who follow such things. Having recently heard him interviewed on The Mormon Channel and becoming intrigued, I knew I had to check him out upon seeing notice of his upcoming performance while I was visiting the local library. He lived up to the hype. I found myself totally mesmerized as he spun his tales. It was very much like becoming thoroughly engrossed in a well written story. The mind takes over and I could picture myself following his uncle Frank's fox hound on a cross country adventure or becoming a fellow member of Miss Daisy's 4th grade class on tour around the world. It was fantastic. Loved every minute. This guy is an amazing talent. I haven't gone much in for story telling even though Orem has become one of the country's top story telling venues and has been for 22 years. Story tellers I've seen perform before seemed to be overblown and too dramatic for my tastes. Not so with Donald Davis. He knows how to get out of the way of the story. I couldn't have been more impressed. I will definitely be looking for him in the future. The event was a benefit for a new addition to the library to be called the Center for Story. It's a controversial project that has the community divided for and against. Let me just say that I personally like the idea and support it. After the story telling one of Donald's signature bow ties was auctioned off. The bidding started at $50 and rapidly went up from there until there were only 2 gentlemen left in the running - neighbors. When it got to $750 Donald ran back on stage to contribute the tie he was wearing last night. Both men ended up winners and the Center for Story project became $1500 richer! It blew my mind to see a tie go for that kind of money. A fitting cap to a wonderful evening!