Celtic Woman Concert, Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, May 18, 2011. Featuring singers Chloe Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt, David Downes played keyboards, led the band and is responsible for most of the arraignments of the group. Anthony Byrne was a stand out as on the bagpipes. The group performed songs from their Songs from the Heart CD/ DVD. Additional material included a nice version of Oronoco Flow by Enya. The sound quality of the show was excellent, a 100 on my scale, you could hear all the singers and musicians, and the sound level was not too high. The piano could have been miked a bit higher. I noticed that, at this venue, they used hand microphones as well as headpieces they use in their DVDS. A disappointment to me was that the theater was only about two thirds of the way full for this show. Many people in the upper floors moved to better seats in the intermission.
The staging had a lot less depth than we see in the DVD performances. They had two large percussion platforms (drum kits, hanging gongs, cymbals, single drums) on either side of the stage, and a stairway between the two platforms. There was a narrow space between the drums and the edge of the stage. The stage seemed a bit crowded at times, with the full background voice chorale on stage, but there was plenty of room for Máiréad to do her trademark dancing as she played. It was a good use of a minimum of space.
The performances were all standouts. I think Máiréad, who is well known in Ireland, is a stand out performer who really brings life to all the pieces she performs in. Her fiddle playing was excellent, especially double and triple bowing on her stand out solo. She was able to incorporate the fiddle movement with her dancing to get a very aggressive attack on each note. Chloe, Lisa and Lisa all produced a wonderfully lush and beautiful blending, the sound crystal pure. Each singer had a chance to introduce a song and to provide a bit of personal background and to share backup vocals. The trademark synchronized movements and dress movements made a lovely effect.
I think the only way to appreciate this wonderful show is by a comparison with the other Irish folk music I have been exposed to, especially Maddy Prior of Steeleye Span. She was another strongly voiced woman, who also danced during performances and also added the rhythm of playing the spoons in time with her movements. I have seen Steeleye Span several time and always enjoyed her strong clear voice, the group’s strong arrangements and musicality. In many ways, the Celtic Woman type of group is the logical successor to the groups of the 70s like Fairport Convention, Renaissance, and Pentangle. Although I would wish that Celtic Woman would perform more folk songs from Ireland and Scotland, they add musicality and great production values to a vibrant musical tradition, and the songs they choose are well suited to their voices. The show was a very positive experience and I would recommend them.
Go See them next time they are near you!
The staging had a lot less depth than we see in the DVD performances. They had two large percussion platforms (drum kits, hanging gongs, cymbals, single drums) on either side of the stage, and a stairway between the two platforms. There was a narrow space between the drums and the edge of the stage. The stage seemed a bit crowded at times, with the full background voice chorale on stage, but there was plenty of room for Máiréad to do her trademark dancing as she played. It was a good use of a minimum of space. The performances were all standouts. I think Máiréad, who is well known in Ireland, is a stand out performer who really brings life to all the pieces she performs in. Her fiddle playing was excellent, especially double and triple bowing on her stand out solo. She was able to incorporate the fiddle movement with her dancing to get a very aggressive attack on each note. Chloe, Lisa and Lisa all produced a wonderfully lush and beautiful blending, the sound crystal pure. Each singer had a chance to introduce a song and to provide a bit of personal background and to share backup vocals. The trademark synchronized movements and dress movements made a lovely effect.
I think the only way to appreciate this wonderful show is by a comparison with the other Irish folk music I have been exposed to, especially Maddy Prior of Steeleye Span. She was another strongly voiced woman, who also danced during performances and also added the rhythm of playing the spoons in time with her movements. I have seen Steeleye Span several time and always enjoyed her strong clear voice, the group’s strong arrangements and musicality. In many ways, the Celtic Woman type of group is the logical successor to the groups of the 70s like Fairport Convention, Renaissance, and Pentangle. Although I would wish that Celtic Woman would perform more folk songs from Ireland and Scotland, they add musicality and great production values to a vibrant musical tradition, and the songs they choose are well suited to their voices. The show was a very positive experience and I would recommend them.
Go See them next time they are near you!
