I can't remember if I posted this somewhere already, but this week was the anniversary of the Celtic Woman: Destiny recording (August 13, 2015)!
I think, unlike most of the other specials, Destiny was a single recording, was it not? The original CW special was a single-show recording. HfC was 2 recordings on the same day, I think. I can't remember if Emerald was a single show recording or if it was a single-day double-bill.
Destiny was the dawn of a new era for Celtic Woman. It was the first album without David Downes at the helm (the first to feature Gavin Murphy as musical director).
Destiny was the first CW special / DVD for Eabha and Mairead Carlin! It featured the lovely Rebecca Winckworth, the enchanting Oonagh, and the return of the incomparable Méav! It also very well could be the last Celtic Woman PBS special / DVD to feature a founding member as a principal performer. It was Mairead Nesbitt's swan song.
While it was a farewell for Mairead, it was also the unofficial debut of Tara McNeill, who played played the harp in the band/orchestra!
I know some people weren't thrilled with the minimalistic set or the 'distracting' video screen. But truly, as much as I enjoy seeing gorgeous sets, the girls and the music were the focus of Destiny, just as they should have been.
Destiny was their most traditional Irish special so far, partly in honour of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising that lead to Ireland's independence.
There were some really good songs, but for me, My Land is the one that affected me the most profoundly. I'll go so far as to say that was the most important song in my life. I fell completely in love with that song from the moment I heard it! I played it a LOT of times over the following weeks (and I don't normally do that with songs, even ones I like a lot). The harmony was beyond gorgeous (yes, I know Celtic Woman has a lot of songs with even more flawless and spectacular harmony, but this one came at a time when I needed it the most). That song marked the beginning of the end of a tough time in my life. I don't know where I would be without having heard it, but I certainly wouldn't be as happy as I am now.
Destiny is really special to me. I started doing things on social media and forums because of Destiny. I saw my first Celtic Woman concert because of Destiny. I had the best year of my life so far because of Destiny. It honestly changed my life.
Here's to Celtic Woman: Destiny. Happy Anniversary!