This is my first CW show review so please bear with me! Friday night in South Bend was my 6th show…..and my 5th M&G……in less than two years. Sadly, this will be my only show this Spring tour. My sister (barbeaver) and I arrived in Mishawaka and checked into the hotel mid-afternoon. Nick and Cherie were planning to pick us up at 4:30 at our hotel, so we had only a couple hours to get ready. The weather was not cooperating and I ended up taking a shower in the dark after the power went out! When Nick and Cherie picked us up, we were already in concert mode (that means nervous tummies, and excitement building.) It was so nice to put faces to names. They were wonderful hosts (even though they are not South Benders, they knew the area well.) We met up with Allan (wraith257) and Jeanine at the Fiddler’s Hearth and enjoyed a traditional Irish meal. Meanwhile, it was POURING rain outside. “We only have to walk two blocks” (we think to ourselves.) It can’t be so bad. WRONG…..it was pouring rain and windy when we left the restaurant to walk to the theater. Umbrellas (graciously provided by Nick and Cherie) kept our heads and shoulders dry, but everything else was soaked. Still everyone remained in good spirits as we trekked to the bathroom to dry off. Then we made our way to our seats – all of which were in the pit! Barb and I had 2nd row seats on the right side. As the clock inched closer to 8:00, Phil arrived and distributed the new CW and Lisa Kelly forum buttons. It was good to see him again and to meet his family. Before the show began, Barb and I were scoping out the seats in the front row just ahead of us. FOUR EMPTY SEATS! We were prepared for an “ISU”, but alas, during the 2nd or 3rd song, two men (very BIG men I might add) took two of those seats, and a bit later in the first half, another arrived to take one of those seats.
OK, showtime, and for the first two songs, we had a great view of the entire stage! I was pleasantly surprised with the changes they have made in Songs From the Heart! First and foremost, the addition of Lisa Lambe: Her voice and personality blend so well with the other girls and the band! She seems so comfortable with the group, like she has been with them for years! So, so, so playful in Dulaman (love the spoons) that I’m sure I was grinning through the whole song (well, I must admit….through the whole show!) Chloe told us that if there was a reward for the “smiliest audience” we would win it! I loved the two Lisas doing My Heart Was Home Again, which I will say I was a little skeptical as that was my favorite Alex song. The two Lisas more than did the song justice and it’s still one of my favorites. Chloe again enthralled me with When You Believe. She has grown so much over the years and is just flawless. What can I say about Lisa K.? She sure can belt it out on “The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress” and I totally LOVE Fields of Gold (it’s even my ringtone!) Once again, I was speechless with Máiréad’s performance – how can she play so eloquently while she is flying across the stage?! Amazing! The one song that was the biggest surprise for me was Danny Boy. I have always liked it, and have enjoyed the CW version of it…..but this new version (was it a new version or was it solely the new voice that made it seem new?) It was so moving for me, the girls’ voices blended so well in it and I was awestruck with it’s beauty.
Now to describe the best part(s) of the night for me! I had printed out one of the new Lambe Crossing signs (created by Henny aka dutchfan) and was hoping that Lisa L. had not seen one in the audience yet. When she sang her first solo, I held the sign below my chin and waited for her to spot it. When she did, she gave me the biggest smile, with a slight nod of the head and a small squeeze as if she was giving herself a hug. OMG, I was in heaven! I continued to get nods and smiles for the rest of the show from Ms. Lambe! Throughout the show, all of the ladies gave such awesome acknowledgements of our love for them! There were many winks, smiles and silly faces, some as a result of signs and others because they could tell how much we were enjoying ourselves. After the encore, Spanish Lady, where I always join in with the shoulder shrugging, as the girls were exiting the stage, Lisa L. tilted her head my way (she had to look around the man in front of me) made eye contact and blew me a double kiss! Another OMG! Barb was sure the kiss was meant for her since she had met Lisa at a M&G last week, but I know better!
Lastly, the Meet & Greet. Of course I was hoping to meet Lisa Lambe, especially after all the interactions during the show…and since I have met the other girls. It was not to be, though, and I was very happy to meet with Máiréad and Chloe. After all, it has been a year since I’ve seen them at a M&G. This was the smallest M&G I’ve ever been to. Probably only about 16 people, so we were not rushed at all. Máiréad was so sweet as always and signed the couple items I had, all the while chatting about the show and Twitter. Then I moved on to Chloe, who immediately said, “so nice to see you again!” My heart skipped a beat…..it feels good when the girls remember meeting you previously! After I commented on the wonderful show, we chatted a bit about the darn rain and she said it’s just a given that they will be bringing rain with them to their shows!
Barb and I spent a bit of the rainy day Saturday visiting the South Bend Chocolate Company, an Irish Imports shop and the campus of Notre Dame. It was all in all, a wonderful, wonderful trip to South Bend and I am of course going through CW withdrawal, as I have no idea when I will see them again! Hoping for a Christmas show close to me!
