CelticWomanForum.com

Everyone has a different sense and taste for/of music. Music talks to us in different languages... If we understand the language, we get touched. If we don't understand the language, we might still love it but won't get touched...

I for myself got touched by Órlagh’s Méav’s and Lisa’s voices and I adore all three of them but I don’t forget about Alex, Chloë, Deirdre, Hayley, Lynn and Máiréad! I love them but I’m not touched...I hope you get me right!!!

My first favourite is Órlagh as most of you already know...  I think I don’t have to explain again to you how and why I adore and love her that much for her music and her lovely kindness...

Méav: She is just wonderful and her voice touched me the first time I heard it! She seems to be a wonderful lovely and kind woman as all the other CW-Lady’s are but there is something more about her that touched me what I can’t explain!

Lisa: She was actually the first CW-Lady I discovered... I started to cry when I first heard “Caledonia”. She made me cry again when I first heard “Send me a Song”... I was sitting right in front of the TV and cried – she touched my heart with her emotions in her voice and I love and adore her for that!

I’m really looking forward to read about your feelings and opinions!!
It’s about all CW-Lady’s past and present!!

Lots of love!!
coco x

Chloe is my fav. I first saw CW in the Christmas show on PBS and I thought that Chloe was the best singer I had ever heard. And the fact that she is so beautiful just confirmend it for me. I have seen her and CW in concert twice and this last time I got to meet here at a M&G as well as getting several looks and some attention from her on stage. OMG she is down right HOT in person. She is so very sweet and approachable. Not shy at all and very open to discussions. I hope to see here again at a M&G.

I have two favorites: Máiréad and Lisa. I can't choose between them. Just when I think I like Máiréad better than Lisa or vice versa, I change my mind, so I've just decided that I like them both equally and they are both my favorites. :D

I love Máiréad because she is Máiréad. LOL. She's energetic, beautiful, and so exciting to watch. She's brilliant.

I love Lisa because her voice is my favorite, and in my opinion she has the most expression and emotion on stage. She connects with you immediately.

The thing about Máiréad and Lisa is that I liked them both instantly when I first saw them. Upon seeing them both, I knew right then and there that one or both of them would become my favorite(s). I felt immediate connections with both of them when I first watched CW on TV.

So yeah, that's that. Máiréad and Lisa whoooooooooo!!!!!!  ;D

I have several favorites, but I'll just highlight Alex right now.  I think Alex has an amazing voice and is a wonderful performer, but the biggest thing was what I witnessed at my first CW concert.

 When Alex performed in Manchester a couple of weeks ago she had a few of these precious moments.  There was this cute little blond girl (probably about 6 years old) sitting on the front row.  The little girl was jumping up and down and skipping up and down the aisle during several of the group numbers.  Alex did several little things things to show attention to the little girl throughout the show.  Several times while performing I saw Alex look directly at her, or give a little wave of the hand. I never saw Alex smile bigger than when she was looking at her.  In some ways it was like she was performing just for the little girl and the rest of us were privileged enough to witness it.  I was completely awed that Alex would reach out to her in that way that and it instantly left a very deep impression on me.  Hopefully one day I'll be able to see her at a M&G and tell her how much it meant to me.

I agree with secret_fan. Chloe is by far my favourite. She is the reason I follow Celtic Woman.

She has the most beautiful voice IMO -- a pure, sweet, crystalline soporano, which is to my ears the ideal sound for the female voice.

She is the most gorgeous of all, with a fairy-tale princess look that one seldom (if ever) sees in the media anymore. It is a look that would have been idealized in any century prior to the 20th, but has been virtually banished in our modern age.

Her movements are the most captivating. Her speaking voice is magical -- a breathy, girlish voice with a melodic Irish lilt.

And she is a splendid role model for young women today, who face inordinate pressure to starve themselves and develop eating disorders because of the underweight images promoted by the androgyny-loving fashion and film industries. Chloe is a welcome relief from the unnatural gauntness of the celebrities who appear on magazine covers, in advertising, and in TV and movies. As the YouTube descriptions put it so well, Chloe shows young girls today "that they don't need to be anorexic to be beautiful and successful, but can be even more gorgeous at a naturally curvy size." And that is a blessing of inestimable value.

Honnest I like them all because it come's from there heart and like the ritme. They can really singing and not quacking like some singers.
There music is such a insperation,calming and gives me a smile at my fase the same time.
Lisa's voice sounds in my ears as a shoulder to cry on and like it's ok you can do it.  
Meav her voice have something playfull while she sings
With Chloe is like she said " it don't matter you belong here , don't listen what others say"  
Mairead is like what the most would say "mairead is just typical mairead" , for me she put a smile on my face ( in the meanwile i'm thinking of her she go or she did it agian)
Orla's voice while she sings is like " he listen i have something to tell and keeps the listners listen
With Lynn is for me like discovering and have  
Alex is to soon to tell but what i had hear i like it
Al together is easy to dreaming .

I got into CW because of Chloe. My absolute faves are (in order) Chloe, Lynn and Lisa.
Chloe. I remember watching her in "Spanish Lady" and seeing how much fun she was having. I thought, wow, she is so beautiful. I love Chloe because she and I are only a year or so apart in age, and it boggles my mind that she is so, so talented. It makes me believe (and helps me through my day) that I too, can be that successful if I work hard and keep my dreams in my sights. Not only that, she has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. Hearing her can make me feel so emotionally charged.
Lynn. Lynn, I have only seen through videos on YouTube, and have heard singing, both on TGJ and on her album. Lynn is a writer (a song writer, true) and I think that's why she is my second favorite. I understand what it's like to have that creative process, and to be able to take words and turn them into something beautiful and meaningful. I also love how quiet she seems, but with that tiniest hint of mischief in her eyes, almost like she's in on a joke that only she knows. Her dedication to her fans, and to her work is inspiring. Her voice can make me smile.
Lisa. Lisa is my favorite because of how much her voice affects me. True, Chloe and Lynn's voices affect me, but Lisa's really tugs at my heart. In example, it doesn't matter where I am, or what I'm doing; I could be at work up to my elbows in dirty lab dishes, but when "Send Me A Song" comes on, I choke up. Heck, I'm getting a little teary thinking about it right now. To me, Lisa sings the love songs, not just romantic love, but familial and friendship love too. Not only that, she always seems to have a level head on her shoulders, and I really admire that.
I do love Orla, Hayley, Meav, Alex and Mairead in their own ways. Each of the girls means something to me, and I love them all dearly, but these three girls hold a special place in my heart, and they always will.

Lisa!!

Besides being beautiful, talented, gratious she is LISA. What more can be said.

There is also Orla. Another beautiful, talented, gratious and compassionate. When her fingers touch the harp, its all over.

Speaking of which, Mairead's fiddle playing is the best there ever was, better than Charlie Daniels. (He doesn't dance and lets face it, Mairead is much better looking.)

Each one of the ladies have qualities I love so saying which is my favorite is next to impossible.

Jim

Orlagh's voice has always touched me in a special way, it's one of those unexplainable things.

i just have always loved lisa! um her songs are just amazing! she really picks the right ones! um shes so talented and amazing! she waved to me and smiled a few times at me so i have to love her!! haha no but i just have always really liked her! I LOVE YOU LISA!!!!!!!<3

i also love mairead because we had a convo for like 10 minutes and we were both so into it!! =) she's alos like a god on the fiddle!=)

Meav. Pure and simple. I can't really explain it though. I think it's because if it wasn't for Meav I'd never had known about CW due to the channel flipping, finding the first concert and going "Hey, Meav's on tv!"

Lisa is my favorite. (I'll also say Mairead is, too, but it's really unfair, IMHO, to compare fiddle players and vocalists together). The first video I ever saw was Lisa singing "The Voice," and I was immediately smitten. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this on the forum before, but I have this shameful quality where I will dislike a song immediately when I hear it until I begin to get used to it - I'm repulsed at first. In other words, the song is "guilty until proven otherwise." That quality was nowhere in sight when I heard Lisa sing. Right off the bat, I loved the song and the voice singing it.

Going from the outside in.

Lisa is gorgeous! She looks like an angel and walks as such! She has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. I can't get over how easy it is for my breath to be taken away whenever I see her (in person or on dvd).

Her voice has what I call a very "motherly" voice. As an amateur author, one recurring theme in some of my stories is the relationship between a mother and child as it is one of the most powerful types of relationships in existence. When I heard Lisa's voice, I immediately pictured her singing a lullaby to a baby, and that image inspired me in so many ways. Her crystal clear, soprano voice has a beautiful quality that matches her lovely smile.

She has the uncanny ability to connect with her audience, which is a trait sorely missed by most vocal soloists. When I saw her in Knoxville, she made eye-contact with me several times throughout the concert. Sitting in the orchestra pit, making eye-contact with my favorite Celtic Woman, and singing along with her, I felt like the song was a duet between her and myself. This is an experience I shall never forget.

One of the most important parts of her that make her my favorite is her heart. When you hear her at an interview or read about her personal life, you will find that she is a very kind, down-to-earth individual. Despite her success, she still remains thoughtful and kind to her fans. Meeting her was an absolutely wonderful experience. She was an absolute sweetheart, and was very kind to me.

I'm probably preaching to the choir now, and some of you have probably heard me explain myself thousands of times (sorry!). Therefore, I will conclude by saying Lisa is a gem and I'm so unbelievably glad to have met her (and I hope to meet her again in June)!

When I first saw the concert at the Helix in Dublin on PBS - I was touched by the overall sense of peace that the music had on me, then I was struck by CHLOE, being so young, and having such a beautiful voice, and such graceful stage presense.  In watching the same show over, and over, and in subsequent shows I have singled out my favorites, and found that I love them ALL for DIFFERENT reasons.

I still love Chloe - her voice and etherial quality still strike me as ABSOLUTE BEAUTY - inside and out!

I next was drawn to Lisa - here voice quality is soooooo clear, she sings like a BELL, crisp, clear, precisely on-tune, and her SPIRIT shines through!

Then, being a little (lot) overwhelmed at the time with personal difficulties, and just a little  "spiritually lacking"  temporarily, I was drawn to Orla and her harp, and found peace, spiritual renewal, joy, beauty, grace, and home-spun satisfaction, which was  "healing" to me.

This is not to say that I wasn't enjoying all the other girls - because I was - but the three mentioned above touched me the most.

I would have to agree with AngusGibson and many others who said Lisa.  From the beginning she has captivated me.  I have not had the honor to see her in person or met her yet, but nonetheless I have felt "touched" as Coco describes each time I watched and/or listened to her sing.  The question that was asked though was why...?  Perhaps the song "How" by Lisa Loeb answers the question best when she says "...it's like how does your heart beat, why do you breathe."
Enchanted

My favorite member of Celtic Woman is beautiful, charming, talented, personable, sweet and gracious.
That, of course, describes all the ladies of Celtic Woman, past and present.
But in this case I mean Lisa.

i blame chloe and mairead for my CW obsession  :D

listening to chloe has helped me  a great deal through a pritti ruff time of illness and by listening to her i began to listen to the others and so it gose on!!   my insbirations to sing and write music  my teacher saw a significant change in me after i went back to school ( i had started listening to CW) my confidence increased and drive to be the best i could.      soo thank the lord and david downes for bringing the outstanding voices together  :)

I love Chloë and Lisa the most, myself.

I don't know why, but from the very start I was instantly drawn to Chloë. She's so angelic and pure. Her voice truly reminds me of an angel. She's also a flawless beauty, as they all are, but it's not like that matters. Most of all, she just reminds me of myself. She's fun and playfull, caring and sensitive, and we have the same body type, lol.

Lisa just blows me away. I think I like her solo songs in Celtic Woman the most. Also, I think with my singing ability my voice matches hers best, and that just automatically draws me to her. That, and of course her amazing heart of gold.

My favorite member of Celtic Woman is Máiréad. She is a beautiful, energy, amazing, talented, sweet and gracious Women. I like it, when she's dances over the floor and the people inspires. She plays so beautiful her violin.

Best wishes
Udo

She is awsome. I was in the front row at a show this year and I got "the look" from here it was awsome. Of corse that also caused the guy behind me to slap me in the back but o well.

Mairead mostly. She plays so fast and is so smooth when she just runs down the ramp. I hardly hear any mistakes...
I have other friends who play violin. I have to say that she''s the best violin player I have ever heard. Her and Yo Yo Ma (Really he plays cello, but who cares? He plays a string instrument... lol)

 :)   :)   :)   :)   ;)   :D

I absolutely love to read this post thread. . . . All the expressions of love and appreciation for C W are so heartwarming and revealing of what music means to each and everyone of us. No one to may knowlege has ever grabbed my singing ears, or listening ears like these ladies can. It is a comination of charm, incredible pitch, tones I have never heard another singer reach in any capacity. They are sincere, wholesome, winsome, beautiful, and we could endlessly go on and on about them . They are simply the best. Why are they not featured on the COVER of TIME, or PEOPLE or NEWSWEEK. Why have they not been interviewed by Barbara Walters or Katie Couric? C W is something we need to appreciate and enjoy with each passing day, as Orla, the Irish Goddess of the Harp and Polished vocals, and Meav, our lovely Celtic songbird have already sought other dimensions. These Gaelic songs have a way of attaching to your subconscious and bring you such joy and celebration of life-even if you don't know what they are saying...! ! !
     


If I was told I could only bring one CD with me Whose would it be and how could I make that choice? I can listen to each one of them all day-every song repeating itself throughout the day. I crave to hear Lisa sing
"Send me a  Song"...or Orla to play her harp and sing "The Water is Wide" or Mairead play ANYTHING...all of her playing is superb....or Chloe singing "The Prayer song...I can't talk about Lynn, Hilary, or Diedre since I have not listened to them.. but the ONE Choice I would have to bring with me if I was restricted ( Thank God, I'm not) is The Celtic Song Bird....Meav Ni Mhaolchatha...Her voice and songs transport me right into a nother dimension-she is the most beautiful expressive pure soprano voice that can make singing difficult lilting Gaelic melodies sound so easy. You don't cringe when she takes the HIgh NOTEs...but you are right up there with her...She can guide you all around Celtic Country from scene to scene, song to song, and those of you who do not have her own ALBUMS are missing a part of your lives you didn't possibly know that was there. So for me it would have to be Meav the Celtic Songbird from Ireland.   

PS..I don't want to forget to mention the wondrous Hayley Westenra and her incredible voice..especially  singing "Last Rose of Summer" with Meav. . . .( my choice)
Shankdee                                  .

I think the world of them all but Lisa is my absolute favorite.  My first exposure to her was a few months ago, seeing her singing 'The Voice' on the local PBS station and I was instantly captivated.  It was almost surreal.  It awakened feelings in me long dormant or locked away.  I can't remember ever being so moved and then when I saw her sing 'May It Be' several minutes later, it was really all over for me.  Her voice touches my heart, it's the most beautiful ever to grace my ears.  And AngusGibson couldn't have said it any better, she's absolutely gorgeous.  She has the face of an angel and the smile and grace to match.   She's kind and warm and sweet and giving.  She's simply an amazing woman and a consummate performer.  She moves and inspires me and hopefully some day in the (near) future I'll be lucky enough to meet her.

I think I'd be remiss, though, if I didn't at least mention Mairead.  Her talent is incomparable and her beauty and energy onstage is simply electric and I love watching her dance around and wave her bow like it's a magic wand.

They're all amazing and collectively, they're a phenomenon.  But Lisa will probably always hold the most special place in my heart.   :)

It`s Mairead,MAIREAD, M*A*i*r*e*a*d*!!! The first time I saw them on PBS a couple of years back, I couldn`t believe what I was seeing.Obviousely the MOST BEAUTIFUL woman on the planet.That blonde hair, those eyes, THAT SMILE. I thought"how is it humanly possible for someone to be that incredibly PERFECT?Then I watched and listened to her perform and said, "yes, she really is perfect." Of course after a couple of years of being a CW fan, I love them ALL(past and present), but the little Fiddler Lady is my "special one".

The first time I saw them on PBS a couple of years back, I couldn`t believe what I was seeing-KEVIN

Well, Kevin, even tho' they wanted us to choose...and I chose Meav for a lot of reasons, Mairead is the First One I wrote to after watching the DVD for the 3rd time. I was going to return the DVD to the library where I had checked it out, and I thought, well, I do like music, having been a singer myself, etc...and as I watched the different numbers, and they started to grow on me , I noticed this little dancing, twirling violinist, and I thought, wait a minute, I have never seen ANYTHING like this...so I watched her dance and skip so light on her feet, yet playing some beautiful sounds, smiling and seemingly to cast a sparkling invisible net over all the other performers-she was simply superb. !! Needless to say, the DVD was quite overdue by the time I returned it. I wrote to her because I wanted to tell her how much I enjoyed her skiil and performance and that she had a fan for life in Japan...My screen saver is that beautiful banner someone made of her in blue and white. So, CW wouild not be quite what it is without the years of skill and practice Mairead has bought to the scene.  Enjoyed your Post !!!

 ;)   shankdee

I know what you mean about Meav,the way her eyes get big at certain times during a number.But to have seen Mairead perform,first of all she really is STUNNING to look at but to actually watch her----she really does do all those leaps and twirls---in HEELS no less....and let`s face it,NOBODY plays fiddle like she does.She`s an extraordinary talent and she really exists---I`ve seen her! To pick a favorite is like saying "which one of your kids do you like best?"Ladies,we LOVE you all!

 :)    ;)    :D   :-* 
 Yes, we shouldn't really be making "Sophie's Choice" on this topic, You're quite right, Kevin....Because to Love, adore, appreciate, idolize one of them above the others is really not a good use of our brain...David is the man, and knew what he was doing, or was divinely guided to C R E A T E  CW....he had worked with these performers as individuals many times before, He knew what they were capable of, so he brought them into being as Celtic Woman. Chloe -he has worked with since she was a child, so his handiwork on that celestial creation is very evident. He takes raw talent and refines it, and with his genius of musical realms makes the talent into something commercial, yet very professional. He lovingly wrote some of the most tender -heart rending songs, and chose Lisa to vocalize them. She put her heart and soul into the songs, and the results are stunning, mouth dropping, can anyone really sing like that?  She can.l  Meav with her Gaelic Charm made American audiences fall inl ove with Gaelic lilting melodies-Just listen to "Sliver Sea" and you will be transported to another world. When you think back, she may be the re-incarnation of the world's first human song bird filling the air with her beautiful sounds. Orla Fallon speaks and sings of the mysterious legacy of Irish music and incorporated all the wisdom of her grandparents into polishing her songs with what has been called a hauntingly lovely voice, and it is no wonder Orla enjoys a wide, solid following of fans....she is Irish radiance=a shining star at her harp streaming out lovely sounds and melodies. SO, agreed this was a hard question, but people have risen to it and let one another know what C W means to them. I am looking forward to the new singers and new albums from all of the Present and former CW

Shankee

.....and  we can`t slight the beauty and talent of Lynn and Alex.Seeing them perform in person(especially their solos) was magical.They`re absolutely WONDERFUL! We love you guys as much as the others. Don`t you just melt when you listen to them speak? Those Irish accents "do me in".My elderly neighbor was born and brought up in Dublin and I`m always asking her "how is this pronounced in Irish(Gaelic) or what does this mean?"She knows I`m a CW fan(she likes them ,too.) and told me "you have your eye on that fiddler, she`s very pretty". Gross understatemant, huh?

Im gonna say chloe is my favorite. When i was first introduced to cw it was on the pbs christmas special and chloe was the first one i saw and heard and right then and their i was a fan. 
Chloe is just an outstanding girl all around.  Its hard to be so young and do what she does.  Finish school, take some college courses, tour for months on end etc.  She is just a very special lady and i respect her for that, and her voice. MY god what a voice that girl has, its beautiful and to her it just relax's me.
so its safe to say im a chloe fan. ;D

It's nearly impossible to pick a favorite from all the members of Celtic Woman (past and present), so I won't.  All of them have something to hold me no matter what my mood is and all of them are great (I'm waiting for a CD from Alex to add to my collection though).

I will admit that Lisa's renditions of Caledonia and Send Me A Song have certainly helped me when I was feeling down, and Orla's voice and harp have calmed me down more than once.  Máiréad is without compare and is a joy to watch and listen to.

--
Don

I'll have to agree that it's really impossible to pick a favorite when they each have something special to offer, a special reason for us to love them.  I'm looking forward to hearing more from Lynn and Alex... the tour was my first exposure to them and I was thrilled with what I heard.  I adore Chloe's soft clear voice, and Lisa's "Send Me a Song" still gives me chills.  And then there's Máiréad, who's lovely to watch, full of infectious energy.  I've started playing "Granuaile's Dance" in the mornings to help me get moving, and oh does it!  Also, having seen the DVDs so much of late, I've found that I thoroughly enjoy Orla's and Meav's singing as well.

I look forward to seeing how the group will continue to grow and evolve, and how each performer will make their mark on the group.  :)

 :)  And Please everyone, go to Meav's section and vote in the "SILVER SEA" Poll....Thanks...I have already voted here
for the Celtic Songbird...Meav....the voice that could heal a nation....
Doesn't mean I don't idolize and play the others continually I do...I remember when there was an active link to "May it Be " on a record store site...I would click on it once or twice or more daily, until the link clinked.....fritzed,...or what ever you say. Orla can make an afternoon sitting at the computer so enjoyable, you don't even know you're working. Orla enjoys a solid, wide fan base-she is the Irish Goddess of harp and song. Lisa'a album is nearly worn out, and I give it as gifts.
Her smile and her appearance that she actually enjoys singing and performing makes it such a pleasure to watch her "at work" ( her work)...Chloe's songs, can liven up any day, any time --her pferfect voice slides into songs and it seems so effortless on her part...I truly love them all...and am hoping to get better acquainted with the NEW ones...Lynn and Hilary.
I think Rich has a soft spot in his heart for Diedre, so I plan to listen more to her on his recommendation! ! ! He is so great to teach me things, and answer my questions...he even taught me how to make the SILVER SEA poll!!! what a MOD ! ! !

shankdee[/color]

Just a quick one here----you didn`t mention the lovely name of MAIREAD, I just love hearing it.Iknow,it was only a slip.But you`ve probably already figured out that  ..    I BE MAIREAD CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, I tend to get that way over her.

 ???  Kevin...you are absolutely right, I don;'t know what got into me...go to the post that says 3 years, by Nick in Denver-he is talking about his 3 year anniversary of being a CW fan, and I was answering him. There you will see I did NOT forget the Angel at the TOP of the Tree...the beloved ball of Celtic energy that radiates skill, talent, and positive vibes , like an invisible tapestry over the David Downes' creations of C W....mea culpa...I love and adore Mairead and I am her number one fan in Japan!! Thanks for the heads up.. . .

Shankdee

Yes, I had already seen that post.Don`t worry, all is forgiven. It`s just that I`ll jump at ANY opportunity to praise "my SPECIAL one".It`s the O.C.F.F.D. that kicks in,you see.

I was really interested in this topic when I saw what Coco had said.   The thing about this forum that is absolutely amazing, and wonderful, is the fact that no one compares their favorite to the others.  It's all praise, as it should be, for each and every member of CW that we see on stage and to those behind the curtains that we all know are responsible for what we do see.  And I know we all applaud them for a job done extremely well !!  That said, my favorite is still Lisa. LOL-- Why ?
  When she walks on stage I am in a trance from the beauty---- When she sings I am awed that there is such a voice on this planet--- and when she smiles it amazes me that there can be love like that radiated from one person to a world that so needs to be loved. I thank you, Lisa !

I love Celtic Woman because they all have an apparent love to entertain.  They enjoy what they do and it shows it their performances.  When you are lucky enough to get a seat in the first few rows, they make eye contact with you and you get the idea that they are singing directly to you.

I love Chloe because of her wonderful voice and her exuberance on stage.

I love Lisa because her voice is enchanting, almost angelic.  She also has a wonderful exuberance on stage. The first time I saw her was on PBS singing 'May It Be', and I said to myself 'Wow'.  She is beautiful and charming.  I hope she continues with the group for a long time. She is my favorite.

I love Mairead because she is fantastic with that violin, she is pretty and she performs all over that stage, not just in the center.  She gets everyone in the audience involved.

I love Orla and Meav because they both wonderful voices and add so much to the group.  And they are pretty.
All the girls are pretty and very talented.  To get them on the stage together is an accomplishment by David.
While watching them in concert, you feel almost supercharged.  Then almost sad when it's over.  I may be a glutton, but I believe I could see every concert and not get enough of it.
GEM58

GEM58     8)v

I enjoyed your post so much and others too because all of you have such a way with words describing C W and your favorites....etc...the thing that bothers me, is WHY can't my family and my friends here feel the same way?  Why can they NOT see, worship, admire, crave, appreciate what people on this forum do + realization of the worth of C W, the listening pleasure they provide, watching Mairead and not be totally amazed????? and so on....why is it so hard-like talking to a brick wall  trying to get our nearest and dearest to feel as we do.....???? sigh...
Thanks again for that beautiful post.

shankdee

That`s why we have this forum,at least we have someone who listens to us....each other. By the way, I`d just like to add that we at times seem to leave "the new guys" out of the equation. I love Meav and Orlagh as much as anyone here but to have seen Lynn and Alex perform on stage.....well, they`ll just blow you away!Just sticking up for the "new guys".

Lisa: She was actually the first CW-Lady I discovered... I started to cry when I first heard “Caledonia”. She made me cry again when I first heard “Send me a Song”... I was sitting right in front of the TV and cried – she touched my heart with her emotions in her voice and I love and adore her for that! She is an awesome singer she makes you feel the song she enfolds you with her warm voice and her arms, I am completely taken in by her every time I see her she has captured my heart and soul like no other singer. I adore her she brings me peace when she sings.

Jeannie

In no particular order:

Lisa:  I adore Lisa because I want to be like her - not a famous singer or anything (That would never happen to me haha!)  I mean her personality - Lisa is first and foremost sweet and caring.  But she is also happy with her life and not afraid to take chances.  I think a lot of people (including me) struggle with finding happiness because they are too afraid to take risks.  Lisa takes those risks - I'm not talking about foolish risks or anything like that, but rather than being held down by what is "safe and comfortable," she seems to live life to the fullest, while still finding time to care about others.  I want to be like that - and she is what motivates me to strive for that.

Mairead:  Mairead is the most expressive musician I have ever seen!  It is more than obvious what a connection she has with her music and her audience.  I am completely in love with music too, and watching (or listening to) Mairead gets me so excited because it inspires me to play more of my own music and do more arranging. 

Chloe:  I love Chloe because she is so incredibly kind and caring.  Chloe is all smiles all the time and really seems to love meeting her fans.  And in spite of her youth, she seems so mature!  She's just incredibly laid back and relaxed, and enjoys what life brings her!

Lynn:  Lynn seems to be the quiet one of the group, but that is also a blessing.  I think she's the quiet observer.  She is also incredibly kind and caring and seems genuinely interested in her fans.  She is the picture of grace!

Alex:  Another kind, intelligent, and highly talented person!  Alex has what I would call a "sweet spirit."  She, like Chloe, is all smiles all the time.  She is such a joy to watch and listen to and she just seems to have fun with everything and everyone!

This is why I love them all!  I don't think we could have asked for a better group!

Meow has said it best!  I (and everyone else) can`t say it any better.

Wow!  Thank you!  ;D  I think what everyone has said shows how much they all mean to us!

You`re welcome.I was so glad to see someone make mention of Lynn and Alex. Sometimes, it seems that they don`t always get the attention our others get. After seeing them perform on stage, THEY ARE CELTIC WOMAN,too...... and you described their qualities perfectly.

K E V I N    ???

  How can we talk about those we have NOT seen or heard? I have not seen either one of them, so naturally, they won't be in my POSTS until such time as I become acquainted with them...we are not foregtting them...just don't have any knowledge of them...Rich has me interested in listening to Deidre. . .  will those of you who DO know about them please post-thanks...I have to wait until RED ROCKS ~~  or   TULSA....

shankdee

Kevin, thank you very much for your compliments!  I understand what you are saying about Lynn and Alex - I would like to see more people mention them too, but they are fairly new - I think that the longer they are with Celtic Woman, the more people will begin commenting on them too.  It just takes time.   ;)

Oh, and Shankdee, I don't think you will be disappointed - they are wonderful!!

Fair enough-----your`re correct that you can`t comment on Lynn and Alex if you haven`t had the opportunity to see them yet.....and as mentioned in another post,they didn`t really "replace" anyone.they`re their own people and in my opinion are   wonderful new additions to CW.When you finally get to enjoy them in concert, I really think you`ll be very pleased.

 :)  Looking forward to it...so far...the only confirmed ticket I have is RED ROCKS...
but who knows...I get out of school June 14...and will soon head to the US of A...and will be planning my strategy to
catch up with C W along the Way...

Shankdee

I have come to adore all of the ladies, for different reasons... but my favorite has been and always will be Chloe.  She spoke to my heart in a way that no one else ever has before.  When I first heard her sing, I was listening to "Walking In the Air" from the Helix CD that I had purchased.  I whispered "Oh my god."  I had never heard something so beautiful before, nor expected to ever hear something so beautiful.  My admiration for her singing and performing has only grown over the years.  I've said it once before that Chloe's singing is less ART than it is TRUTH.  You can feel the truth in Chloe's songs.  You can feel the magic.

But, that's NOT the real reason that I adore Chloe.  It's something else, something that I have long ago posted in the old CW Forum and in other CW-related Forums, something that maybe some of you have read over the years but that many of you might not have... I'll post it again here since it's entirely on topic.  The following is a very personal story. This story has nothing to do with music. It has everything to do with caring.

___________


After I had experienced the euphoria of finding Chloe's music, I wanted to learn more about her, as she was now my very favorite singer. A few web searches finally uncovered the Celtic Woman website, which had biographies of the ladies. I began to read Chloe's biography.

Now I must cast back some years. During my first year of teaching, one of my students, named Derek, improved incredibly under my direction. As his last class session ended, I walked near him as he was getting out of his chair to leave. He extended his hand to me and said, "Mr. Taylor, you changed my life." I just stopped and said "No, Derek. You did, but I'm glad I was there to see it." He gave me the most satisfied smile that I have ever seen.

That evening, though, the enormity of it began to strike me. I sat at the edge of my bed and cried. I couldn't help it. I felt like I was a part of something much bigger than myself; it was the most spiritual moment of my life. In a personal sense, I felt that any and all failures and failings in my life had been vindicated. In the months and years to come I told many people about what he had said to me, but no one seemed to see it in the same light as I did. After a while I began to believe no one else in this entire world ever could.

Over the years I often thought about Derek, especially when I wondered why I was going to the trouble of staying in the teaching profession when there were other things that I could do. Each time that I recalled that day, a tear came into my eye, and I felt humbled, and knew that this was a more than worthy path to follow.

So, as I read the last paragraph of Chloe's biography, it was mentioned that she received many letters from childen, including one girl who had experienced a difficult childhood but had been inspired by Chloe's music to join the choir. The girl's mother had written to say that Chloe had changed her daughter's life. When I read this, I stopped reading, and forgot for the moment about Chloe and thought of Derek, so many years earlier, and those words he had told me. And as I remembered, a tear again rolled down my cheek. I thought to myself, "I know what it means to make such a difference, and I guess Chloe does too." Then I looked back again at the last two sentences of Chloe's biography, which I will never forget as long as I live: "That’s when the hard work and blood, sweat and tears don’t matter. When you know that you’ve done that for one person’s life, it brings you to tears.”

As I read it, I wiped the tears from my own eyes and said aloud "Her, too!" I couldn't believe it, I literally stared at my computer monitor for several seconds. Not only had she experienced the same situation as I had, but she had had the exact same reaction as I had. I had always known that many other people have changed the lives of others, but I had begun to believe that I was the only one who had ever been personally humbled by it - I had believed that I was the only one who viewed it as more than just 'all in a day's work.' Now I knew that at least one other person in this world had felt exactly the same as I had. That night, Chloe Agnew ceased to be just my favorite singer; she became the one celebrity in this world that I might someday care to meet, someone who is a real human being, someone who really is, deep down inside, just like me.

Forum members, thank you for indulging me, and allowing me to bare a part of my soul.

nice post Scott, I think everyone would agree that when you get to see Chloe in concert, she has a certain "radience".I noticed at the end when each comes out individually to take a bow. the house "came down" for Chloe.....everyone just loves her so much....and Shankdee,I DO hope you get to see them soon. I know how much Meav means to you---I`ve always loved her ,too. She has a certain "majestic elegence" ,like she should always be dressed in a gown even in her leisure hours. But getting back to Lynn and Alex,I too was wondering what they would be like,knowing  that Lynn would be singing the "Irishy stuff"as she once described on PBS. ....and having listened to the"seaweed song" a thousand times, you know how it`s SUPPOSED to sound.....well,to me it sounded"just right",exactly the way I wanted it. I think you`ll feel the same way when you see them.

Scott,
Your post brought a tear to my eye too.  How humble of you to give the credit back to Derek for changing his own life and allowing you to be part of it.  Inspiring.

It seems to me that all of the Celtic Woman performers seem to come to the stage with a gracious humility that inspires us to be better people.  That is one of the many reasons why I love them all.

Yes, and as I`ve mentioned in the past,they THANK the audience and applaud them with outstreched arms(withMairead wiggling her fiddle bow pointed at the audience).What a gracious gesture.

Lisa is my favourite because she has this quality I have never seen in anyone before. Her smile makes me smile. And I have never once even thought of crying during a song and when I heard her sing live I got very emotional and understood how she has that ability. There is also the joy on her face that I saw when I watched ANJ on PBS and there was this moment in Caledonia where I just went WOW! She makes me melt every time I hear her sing You Raise Me Up, both in ANJ DVD and in the Celtic Woman CD version. I don't think anyone can every instil in me what she has.

My number two is Mairead because she is the most vivacious on stage. I love her cheekiness, and the fact that she plays ridiculously well and dances while wearing high heels blows my mind.  

To those of you that have attended a CW concert, have you noticed this? You  start talking to the people around you (who were complete strangers when you got there) and everyone starts telling each other who their favorite is?  I noticed (at least where I saw them) the answer was ALWAYS  Mairead and......(fill in the blank).Of course everyone knows I`m not biased towards any particularCW (yeah,right).The people next to me said "we like Mairead and Lisa", I said for me it`s Mairead and Chloe(though after watching the show ,I could easily fit Alex in there ,too.)But it always was Mairead and.....

  From Scott's Post: Mr. Taylor, you changed my life." I just stopped and said "No, Derek. You did, but I'm glad I was there to see it." He gave me the most satisfied smile that I have ever seen.

This for many of us in the teaching profession is MORE than all the salaries combined we could ever make....being able to have that kind of influence over one person, or for that matter, those you DID or HAVE touched but you never get the feedback like Derek gave Scott that day. It is such a wonderful association between Chloe's statement and Scott's experience-and how deep our love and appreciation for these fine singers does go. When I first watched Chloe's interivew there with her tutors, and you know she has to be bright, I wished I could have her as a student and thought what an asset she would be to any classroom. I wrote to Chloe that evening a short note about being a student, and I assume she is now a graduate. She also described when everyone else got to go to the pool, or shopping, she was there with her books and studies!Kevin, you are really getting to know me,I guess everytime we post we leave a little of ourselves in print. Yes, I think the world of ALL of these singers and AM LOOKING forward to Alex and Lynn ...everyone has been so positive about them.BUT I am a Meav fan through and through...I play her albums in the car and at work I always imagine her in a church with stained glass windows,or in a recording studio, or at her beautiful home with Tom and Anna  or with her parents, or studying law while sorting out her classical and traditional music choices. My brother-in-law made us turn the channel when they were on PBS, but before he did he said Meav ,wearing  her Mermaid Dress was the most beautiful woman he had seen and that Dress was something else and then he went on and on about her, but still made us
change the channel, and then my sister told me that Chloe was her favorite and was a genuine, true singer that she could listen to sing any time. So I am making a little headway with my family, and CW will be sooooo Near to them in Santa Barbara...Scott and Kevin thanks for the POSTS...

shankdee

Shankdee-----the Gaelic Goddess is to you as theFiddle Fairy is to me.But sometimes I feel guilty in having a favorite,like you`re slighting the others and you might hurt their feelings. I think the answer is to say your favorite CW is Maireadchloelisalynnalexmeavorlahayleydeidre.Sure it`s hard to pronounce but you can try passing it off that you`re speaking Irish(Gaelic). Everyone-----don`t forget to offer birthday wishes to Alex(Monday) and Lisa(Thursday).

That is an excellent idea  sort of like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.......I love it...

Love all of them, of course, in fact I can name more of the other's songs, I told Howard, than Meav's ...and the voting is going really well on Silver Sea Album...I have been up all night, it is dawn now, I joined facebook and posted CW posters that I made...my cousin saw me on there and sent a message," I really appreciate your enthusiam for this group!" But another friend from Boston saw me on there and said, "they are a bit of an overkill here-they are on all the time"...etc..
she doesn't have OCCWD of course, because we would LOVE it if they were on all the time!!!

Ok, I will send the birthday Greetings...I usually write to Lisa every so often on her Green and yellow Guest Book Site, and
I belong to her Fan Club as Well asw Chloe's Forum and Meav's of course, and I LOVED the transcript of Orla's chat...I basically follow them all.

shankdee

I know at times I get a bit defensive over Lynn and Alex, not realizing that not all CW fans have had an opportunity to get to know them yet.After seeing them I can say I`m sure everyone will love them as we love the others.Just look up at their images on your screen right now....and they sing as fantastic as they look. Tell that friend in Boston that weCW fans will track her down and find her....just kidding.

 :o  I know, when people say something like that, it is like they said something about your family.  :-[I just sent
Lisa's birthday greeting in her guest book, and I will do Alex's also, thanks for staying after me on this.

Shankdee        :-*

All the ladies are essential and fantastic.. but Lisa is my personal favorite. Her voice is beautiful, lovely, and agreeing with David Downes warm and rich. No words can discribe it. Especially in the Christmas Show she is a joy to watch and hear.

The criticals says: Lisa BELIEVES what she is singing. And I can only agree with them. If she sings I feel it like she is talking to you.. In Caledonia: let me tell you that I love you... From all her solo's is that my favorite. If I hear it.. I just want to say to her: 'may I come with you, please?'

She shares the place together with Maíréad. I just adore her... A fiddle player who is full of life, and elegant and beautiful at the same time. A good example is Shenandoah - Reels. First elegance and emotion, and than she jumps and plays with so much fun  :D

Órlagh could be a celtic woman from the old ages. I love her haunting and mystical voice. And Méav with her Irish voice.. The Celtic Songbird  :D Dulàman and Si Do Mhameo I are very cool. And Chloë's young and lovely look.. she just owns Nella Fantasia, Walking in the Air and Someday.

From Alex and Lynn I've heard less.. Lynn's album is stunning. But I would like to hear more from them. And seeing them live... someday  ;D The greatest power of Celtic Woman is I think, 5/6 totally different woman and voices, a harmony together :)

 :)  That was beautifully stated...each singer is unique with something entirely her own to offer....and yet the combo power of all of them together is almost indescribeable...it is CW  forever for me...all of them.
I just went to Brad's site and watched them sing "Danny Boy" so I could watch Lynn and Alex and they sang so beautifully also...David always knows what he is doing when it comes to arranging the songs, and  the voices- he is the man!!!

shankdee     ;)

 :D  And YES  KEVIN...we love, love, love Mairead!!!! She is in a class by herself, I call her The Angel at the Top of the Tree..
no one can top her...the tree is sparkly, beautifully lit, festive and pleasing  in every sight and sound but Mairead remains at the top !   :-*

shankdee

It`s okay,there`s no MANDATORY rule that you have to mention Mairead`s name with every post. It`s not like I keep count or anything.......but doesn`t have a nice sound to it?

 :D Well, that is not the impression the first time I left her out and you gave me the needle...but, I happen to agree with you...She sometimes, gets overlooked, by simple ommision , nothing intentional...I love that Screen Saver of her..Blue and white...do you recall who made that one?

shankdee

My favourite is Lisa, because she is such a charming and talented woman (well, all the girls are!), but there is something special about her, and I haven't figured it out yet.
The number 2 position is shared by Meav and Orla. Too bad they are not in the show anymore  :'(
Third I'd say are Mairead and Chloe. Mairead spreads such a positive energy, and Chloe has such a soft voice!
Well, I love them all!!!

Well, okay, I am counting .I couldn`t find the screen saver you mentiond but check out the beautiful new one by Marynorth. Can`t imagine the most BEAUTIFUL ,talented ,awesome ,unbelievable , fantastic,exquisite human being on earth being overlooked. Oh,oh, there I go again. Well, you guys understand.....it`s MAIREAD....(sigh).

All the honour to JJRracing mate  :D I'm sure he is quit capable of making more nice Maíréad-banners  ;) Contact him if you want one..
Yes, Maíréad is fantastic  :) I blame myself for all the years I thought the violin was a stupid boring instrument..  :o

  Old  thread...but  hey...it  still  works  for  me.    :)

Chloe is my VBIF (very best Irish friend) who tries things I like when I showed to her. To remember her, I devour my own Junior Mints. It was one of the last times I've done it when I was further north in Baltimore. Guess I can say we can try more to each other.

My favorites are Orlagh, Lisa L, and Alex. Orlagh because she and I have the most in common, her voice is so beautiful and haunting, she plays the harp, and she is just sooooo sweet!! Lisa L because not only is she also very sweet, but I heard she gives AMAZING hugs, and other reasons I don't know how to explain. And Alex because we are both into musical theater, her voice is so beautiful (of course), she complimented my clay figurine of her, (which some of you already know) and when I ordered her Be Still My Soul album and asked her to sign it, she did gladly, and not only did she put her signature on it, but she wrote a very sweet message. I can't stop looking at it. :)