Okay, Act 1
Awakening: I didn't realize my seat was as close to the stage as it was, and I've been in the pit before, but after my amazing M&G with Chloe, I was feeling pretty emotional. I was sitting by Glen, as well as his daughter and granddaughter, and as soon as Mairead walked on the stage, her eyes were glued to the stage. The music started and Mairead walked out and started the song as always. As soon as Chloe walked out, the tears started. I was trying so incredibly hard not to cry, because I didn't want to miss anything... didn't work too well. We were on the piano side, and the first time Mairead came over to our side, she found Jasmine (Glen's granddaughter) and played to her the rest of the show. She kept giving her these smiles and "hi!"s. Jasmine loved it, and we loved watching her.
All 4 girls were really on, and it was a joy watching them. Even though I didn't tell her in the M&G where I was sitting, Chloe instantly found me and kept giving me her infamous winks. During breaks in the vocals I would catch her eye and blow her kisses, which she gave right back. I've said this before, but I've always felt a connection with her, but something was stronger this time. I felt more connected to her than I ever have before, and she silently told me from that first wink from the stage that I was not alone and she wanted to be there for me. The coreography was slightly altered as well, but it worked.. it looked incredible!! This was my first glimpse of the new choir girls as well, and they are gorgeous!! I've seen pics of them, but live, they are stunning!! I could not take my eyes off of Sarah. They both fit in incredibly well, but something about Sarah drew me to her... (I don't know if it's the name or what.. haha).
Dulaman: Lisa was on fire, as always!! This song starts out a little differently though. During one of the breaks in Awakening, Lisa goes over by the piano and puts on the little filmy wrap on her skirt, which Chloe and Susan stand in front of her, hiding her from, well, most of the audience... ( I was on the piano side, so I could see). Then, after Awakening, Chloe, Mairead and Susan leave the stage, leaving just Lisa and the band. Normally the song is started by the male choir, but they changed it. Lisa starts this song with the gorgeous slow ballad like song. It confused me at first because I knew Dulaman was second in the lineup, but I was enjoying her new song as well. It gave me goosebumps. Then, as she was finishing, the 2 choir guys came up and started their "Dulaman" chant. Lisa then launches into the most incredible Dulaman I have ever seen her perform!! She looooooooves playing with her skirt, and she really gave it her all! And Ray! He took the male solo in this song! It was amazing!! I have to admit though, when I saw him come down, and saw he had a mic on, I was wondering if he was going to take that solo.. and I'm glad he did!! Lisa playing her spoons on Ray was adorable, as always.
Towards the end of the song, the choir girls came out as well to dance with the choir guys, and I'm just gonna say here that I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE how much more the choir does this tour!! Even if they're not involved more vocally with the show than in the past, they seem to be getting a lot more stage time this tour, which is always good, in my book.
Nocturne: I'm just going to put this disclaimer in here... any songs with Chloe in them (as you can tell from Awakening), I may get just a little emotional with. She means a lot more to me now after intermission from yesterday, which I'll get to, but I've felt a stronger emotional connection with her since yesterday.After Dulaman, Chloe comes out the band side of the stage with a hand held mic and says her traditional hello to everyone. (She seemed worlds away on the other end of the stage, by the way.. haha). She asked if we were having a good time, and there were few cheers, so she got her adorable Chloe "pout" and said "That doesn't sound very convincing... Are you having fun so far?!" That got a better response out of the crowd, and her smile is just heart melting. She talked for a little bit... (she sure does love to talk.. hehe) saying how much they appreciate such a warm welcome back to Milwaukee and about how they've been coming here since the beginning of Celtic Woman. Then, she talked a little about the new tour and how they were bringing older songs back. She introduced Nocturne by saying that this was one of her "newer favorites" She explained a little about what the song was talking about, then started the song... and I think I died... I have always loved how she does this song, but she was 150% on yesterday, and added a few "frills" to it, and really gave it everything she had!! I had goosebumps all over and was in complete and utter awe. Of course, when she was over by the piano side, I did get a lot of love from her. When she ended, I leapt out of my seat and could not stop cheering... I got a lot of funny looks from people around me, but I didn't care. Chloe is my favorite and I was gonna show her all kinds of love... especially after all the love she's shown me.
Coast of Galacia: Mairead was ON FIRE during the show yesterday afternoon!! You could tell she was playing to Jasmine, who kept inching up towards the steps like she wanted to run onstage after Mairead. Every time Mairead came over to our side of the stage, she sent smiles and kisses her way,and of course, I had to blow her a few kisses, which she acknowledged with a Mairead smile and a "hi!" I think she was excited to have this song back... She was going to town!! She was all over that stage flying everywhere and never missing a beat. Her bow strings were shredded by the end, but it never threw her... She has always played off of the energy of the audience, and you could tell she was yesterday. Once she found Jasmine, she gave her most of her attention... which was soo cute!
I don't even know what else to say about this song, other than... WOW...
New Ground: I liked that they gave this to Tommy without attaching it to Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears. Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOOOOOOVE IOH IOT, but I love that they let Tommy have his moment. It was the first slower song since Chloe's Nocturne, and it gave me a chance to let it sink in.... I was crying by the end of this song... I think partly because of how gorgeous it was, and partly because of how much meeting Chloe meant to me yesterday... That was one special M&G. I do like that they brought this song back... I've missed it.
Orinoco Flow: I am still ecstatic that they brought this song back!!!!! The girls did something interesting with the gowns for this song too... It's the same material that Lisa has attached to her dress for Dulaman, but for this song, it's used as capes.. and all 3 girls have it. That was the first thing that caught my attention when the girls first came out. The choir, like always, started this song... and this choir.. even though there are only 4 of them... they are a force to be reckoned with!! Such strong voices!! The coreography was changed for this song too, and I honestly have to say, I liked the older coreography a little better. I have always loved seeing this song live though!! And the girls added their little "solos" in the middle that were there during the SFTH tour. Susan's gave me goosebumps!! She seems a lot more confortable letting herself go this tour, and she really shines!! <3
Caledonia: Susan walked out with a hand held mic and introduced this song. More choir stage time, too, which is good
Now, I have to say, I have always been a fan of Lisa's Caledonia, but Susan gives Lisa a run for her money on this song!! I was getting chills. She makes it her own and is not afraid to make a few changes. The choir's background is just lovely for this song as well... I really think they picked the perfect choir arrangement for this show.. their voices blend so well together. I couldn't help it, after this song, I had to give Susan a standing ovation. She left me in awe. Not that I was expecting any less, of course, but I had goosebumps the entire time. There really isn't a way to describe it, other than, if you haven't seen Susan perform this live yet, you really need to!
Teir Abhaile Riu: This is the part of the review I've been avoiding writing... It's so hard to sum this song up in words. Last year, I was on Chloe's side of the theatre, and this year, I was on Lisa's side. the beginning "argument" always always always cracks me up!!
Lisa came down the aisle singing, and when she saw Jasmine, she bounced over to her, picked her up in her arms and started dancing with her. It was sooo sweet!! Chloe entered from the other side of the audience, and made her way over as well. Jasmine got a tweak on the nose from Chloe, which she couldn't stop talking about.
I have to say (and I think I said this in my review last year too), "pissed off Chloe" is tooooooo adorable!! Lisa kept looking at us, then pointing in Chloe's direction and shaking her head.
Then, they both make it up on the stage, and Susan comes out to "intervene". She gets the cutest look on her face too. Then the 3 of them go at it, for what seemed like longer than last year, but it was adorable!! The rest of the song is pretty uneventful... Other than Chloe pushing Ray off the stage and flirting with the piano player (can't remember his name, sorry
). The choir really got into it too, and I got a few smiles from Sarah.
Granuaile's Dance: LOOOOVE seeing this song back too!! I'll say it again, Mairead was ON FIRE!!!!!!!! I counted 15-16 spins, when I remembered to count... haha. She was really playing to Jasmine, and off the energy of the audience. I really honestly don't know how to review this song.... It just left me with one reaction...
Danny Boy: This is another song I don't know how to review. Just because of how gorgeous and amazing it was!! I can't even remember who introduced it... But the harmonies between these 3 girls are chilling!! David did an incredible job with the current line up! I think I remember reading this in another review, but I wouldn't mind the line up staying like this forever... Their 3 voices just melt so beautifully together!! Love that Mairead is in this song too!! I know she has been for a few tours, but it adds a lot!
Mo Ghile Mear: I started crying when I recognized this song, because I knew the first act was almost over. But, as always, it's incredibly entertaining watching the audience jump at the beginning!
And again, this choir is fierce!! They are incredible!! The one part of this song, that I could not stop talking to Libby about, was during, I believe it's the 2nd verse was they sing "know that I will sing to you..." Lisa Lambe looked at me, and reached out towards me very purposely during that part. I had been blowing her a gajillion kisses during this song, anyway, cause she likes the piano side of the stage hehe and I kept reaching out to her (actually we kept reaching to each other). But I remember very specifically at that part of the song, she purposely reached out to me... wanting me to know that she was singing to me. That touched my heart and made me fall even more under her spell. <3 <3
I'll post Act 2 probably tomorrow sometime... This show really got to me... with all the old songs they brought back and I somehow connected more with our girls than I ever have, so it's difficult emotionally for me to write this review... But Act 2 will be up tomorrow sometime, I promise