Disclaimer: Just in case this comes off the wrong way, this isn't directed at anyone here ... more at some of the opinions I've seen elsewhereI do think A New Journey was their best work. It was an unparalleled masterpiece!
But I prefer not to consider it as their "peak." That would imply they've been in decline since then and I don't see it that way. Yes, we got
incredibly fortunate with such a brilliant concert and album, with something truly exceptional from a group that was and still is like no other.
I acknowledge that we owe Celtic Woman's success and thus our enjoyment of their music to those early years, when they introduced us to a new sound and unprecedented quality. Were those early works not as outstanding as they were, they likely wouldn't have become the success that they did.
But while A New Journey should certainly be revered, there's a danger in using it as a measuring stick against all their subsequent work. That will always leave you longing. I've seen innumerable posts from fans on Facebook, Amazon, etc. that have fallen into a similar trap in yearning for our beloved singers from albums and tours gone by.
The most important thing is to not lose sight of what we have in front of us: a group of performers that are still
incredibly talented, and that are still performing wonderful music for us!
I know there are those out there that are "disappointed" (I hate that word so much
) in some of Celtic Woman's work following A New Journey (particularly since the departure of Lisa Kelly, Chloë, and more recently, David Downes), I ask you this:
Had you never heard the original Celtic Woman, A New Journey, or Songs from the Heart and if you were hearing Celtic Woman for the first time singing Destiny or other recent works, wouldn't you be incredibly impressed? Wouldn't you fall in love with the beautiful music and the wonderful performers? Where else in the world can you hear music this good from people this nice?In my firm but humble opinion, the group they have now is good! Very, very good! And so is the music.
In conclusion, yes, A New Journey was probably the best ever, but Celtic Woman still continues to amaze me and I'm appreciative of every day I get to enjoy the incredible talent they have now.
Thanks.