Evansville Indiana has on prior occasions been the first US city to display something new from Celtic Woman: It saw the first US rehearsals and performance of Isle of Hope in February 2009. In addition to the fabulous new music, it featured the return of Celtic Woman favorite Lisa Kelly from maternity leave after she missed the US tours of 2008.
Tonight, this October 1, 2015, at the first stop of the US fall tour of Celtic Woman X, we were introduced to newcomer Eabha McMahon, who replaced Lisa Lambe, who left the group in January to pursue a solo career of music and acting. In her US debut, which followed her tour with the group on the Australian tour in September, US fans got their first look at a promising new (to us) talent which I predict they will find to be a lovely and talented addition to the group, worthy in every way.
Slightly taller than the others, Eabha (pronounced “Ava”) is a lovely brunette with a distinctive voice—differing in quality, yet blending in well with the other vocalists, Susan McFadden and Mairead Carlin. It was clear that Eabha had mastered the vocal and acting challenges of the show after her performances in Australia.
Basically assuming the roles of Lisa Lambe-Lynn Hilary-Meav in most numbers, those familiar with the show would know where she fits in within these songs. Beginning with The Sky, the Dawn and the Sun, New Grange, Si do Mhaimeo, Danny Boy, Nil s’e’n la’ we get a glimpse of her style and wide-ranging talent. She pointedly does not copy the style of any of her predecessors in these numbers, but lends her own style to them.
Eabha plays the “mediator” in teir abhaile riu (TAR). It is Susan in the role of the wandering sister seeking to go to Galway, with lovely Mairead Carlin in opposition, having thoroughly mastered the venerable art of “nose-thumbing” not only to Susan, but to some poor soul in the audience—I couldn’t quite see what brought that on. LOL.
Dulaman interestingly was not in the show this night, though it is in the program. Orinoco Flow now features Sarah Gannon and Edel Murphy from the choir taking their places alongside the soloists. Guitarist Ewan Cowley and pianist Brian McGrane have been given mics and add to the vocal harmony of the group on several songs, including Amazing Grace.
Over the Rainbow is back in the show, beautifully performed with the arrangement given it by Musical Director David Downes. Likewise, Danny Boy, always a crowd favorite.
The Celtic Tenors are listed as special guests in the show, but they made no appearance tonight. Our forum member Hollie has provided the forums with reviews of the Australian shows, advising that they performed several songs at the start of the Australian shows. I must say that I did not miss them. Given the opportunity to revel in the appearances and performances of these first-class beauties in Celtic Woman, I would not lament the absence of any male performers in their stead. Consulting the Celtic Tenors Webpage, apparently they will not be appearing at every Celtic Woman show this tour.
Thanks to the ticket-procurement talents of Daniel Cobble, I was able to join he and Becky Wilson front-row-center this night in Evansville. I have nothing but fond memories from Evansville since that Isle of Hope Dress Rehearsal in February 2009 in which the Mairead Nesbitt fan forum occupied the front row middle section. Such has been my fortunes at Evansville. At the M&G following the show, I learned that Dan has become the legendary “Standing O” man to cast and crew. I think he would stand for that reputation!
I’m hoping to add pictures to this review, in which the beauty of the soloists can be shown, words not really being adequate. Mairead Carlin has let her hair grow out, looking gorgeous! Susan and Mairead Nesbitt are the two blond bombshells. I am gratified every show that some Hollywood producer doesn’t take to the stage and snatch them from us forever.
“After Hours”, featuring the talents of the Celtic Woman’s percussionists (including bagpiper Anthony Byrne), dancing male choir members Chris Naish and Nicholas Yenson was a hit here as it is everywhere. I will reiterate that having seen it numerous times, it is choreographed and not ever ad-libbed. Ray Fean’s routine was a hit, as usual.
Nella Fantasia keeps improving with Mairead Carlin’s strong vocals. Ewan has jazzed up the guitar solo. Using a capo across the third fret will normally do that for you….LOL. I’ve never heard the song performed better.
Caledonia has some new additions. Harmony from our now-microphoned instrumentalists Brian and Ewan has been added. Choreography much more athletic comes from Susan McFadden in her dance moves in The Voice. Piper Tommy Martin was sporting eyeglasses this night for the first time I have seen.
The entire cast seemed particularly tanned, trim and much at ease. I don’t know whether the Australian tour did that for them, but I them perhaps it did.
Eabha creditably did the closing address bidding good night to the audience in “You Raise Me Up”. The crowd put them to the task of an encore before we would let them leave.
At the M&G which followed, I had the pleasure of introducing myself to Eabha, reminding her that my family surname Mann is the English version of McMahon. I told her I think she is a fine addition to the group. As always, I got to say but a fraction of the things I had intended to say to each of them.
And so Dan, Becky and I left the building, getting a glimpse of some of the cast at the buses. A fine debut for Ms. McMahon in our estimation, and a wonderful first-show of this US fall tour of Celtic Woman X.
Fiddler Crossing jackets on display by Becky and myself!
Daniel Cobble at the M&G!
The delightful Ms. Carlin and Ewan Cowley with Nella Fantasia.
