Notes from the Voices of Angels DVD recordingHere are some notes I've pieced together so far from various reports of the DVD recording.
BTW, if you missed my previous post showing some of the pictures from the show I assembled from the various social media platforms, check it out.
Set List (unofficial):Act 1:1. Mo Ghile Mear
2. My Heart Will Go On
3. Across the World
4. Walk Beside Me
5. Dúlamán
6. She Moved Thru' The Fair
7. Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
8. Danny Boy
9. Fields of Gold
10. Westering Home
11. Níl Sé'n Lá
Act 2:... Working on it
Omissions compared to the 2017 Voices of Angels tour:- Ó Ró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile
- Orinoco Flow (strange, considering they posted a video of them rehearsing it before the show)
Anabel Sweeney:- The Celtic Woman singer contest winner from Co Waterford, Ireland
- Sang a solo (Fields of Gold)
- Also sang the opening solo part of Westering Home
- She was a bit nervous, but overall, handled herself very well, particularly for her first big live performance
- She was apparently very professional, had great stage presence, and was funny as well
Dresses:Act 1:- Susan: Bright blue (she wore it during her dance number as well)
- Éabha: Medium blue
- Mairéad Carlin: Dark purple
- Tara: Pattern
- Anabel: White
Ceili:... Working on it
Act 2:- Susan: Red
- Éabha: Dark blue
- Mairéad Carlin: Black
- Tara: Gold
Songs that were particularly well-received:- For the Love of a Princess
- Sadhbh Ní Bhruinneallaigh
- Ave Maria
- Fields of Gold (Anabel)
Orchestra:- 14 pieces
- 12 violins, a cello, and a bass fiddle
Band Notes:- Gavin Murphy on piano
Stage:- A modified version of the Destiny tour set
- Drapes to the sides of the stage
- Wasn't much decoration on the risers, but obviously more stage decoration than for the Destiny DVD
Production:- They did the usual applause recordings (aka level checks) before the show
- There were a few lighting and audio issues, so they had to redo a few of the songs a few times
(There were a bunch of problems during Mo Ghile Mear, Fields or Gold, Westering Home)
- They changed the act 2 set list during intermission
- The recorded the band percussion number and The Kesh Inn after The Parting Glass. Apparently some people started to leave before they realized there was still recording happening.
- Then, they re-recorded Mo Ghile Mear, Danny Boy, Fields of Gold, and Westering Home and another version of the finale
- The recording started around 8:20 and wrapped up between 11:00 PM - midnight
Other Notes:- Brendan Graham was in the audience and Mairéad got emotional when introducing him to the audience
- Some people tried a stage and greet after the show, but that was not successful
Overall:- Overall impressions I've read from the show were quite positive, in spite of the technical / production issues.
- The crowd was apparently enthusiastic and supportive.
- There have been a few people that were disappointed with the production quality and all the restarts. Some people have said they felt they were catering more to PBS than to the audience in attendance. But as a DVD recording (not just a regular tour show), some technical issues and re-takes were to be expected.
- It sounds like the show went over quite well overall.
It seems like the show went well. I have a couple of questions though.
In Westering Home, it seems like that Anabel Sweeney sang the part Mairead typically sings, am I correct on that? If so, why did they have Anabel sing Mairead's part out of all the girls?
Also, besides Glenn, Ronan, Carl, and that guy whose name I forget, I noticed an additional choir. Who were they, and what songs were they in?