I was fortunate enough, along with some other forum members, to see the show from the front row at the Fergueson Center in Newport News, VA on December 1, 2013. Present were Tomtom, Daniel, Mark, Mike (Mr. Peabody) and myself, all on the front row with my fortuitous purchase of a ticket from Tom at dinner.
The now-familiar convention of David Downes and Celtic Woman being joined by the local philharmonic was observed at this show. Joining David and soloists Lisa, Susan McFaddin and Mairead Nesbitt was new addition Mairead Carlin! Andy Reilly on percussion and Anthony Byrne on bagpipes marked the CW instrumentalists present. Piper Tommy Martin was slated to appear, but illness overtook him in Las Vegas and he was not present for this show. I spoke with Anthony after the show, who gave us the encouraging news that Tommy is alright and will be rejoining the tour.
Our fabulous Lisa Lambe is now the senior vocalist of the group! Lisa was in tremendous form this night, totally at ease and in great voice. A full house was present to see the nearly flawless performance of songs from the DVD/CD. She spotted me during the first song and gave me a couple of winks, which needless to say, was a thrill!
Borrowing from the method by which the Spice Girls distinguished two "Mels" as "Mel B" and "Mel C", I will likewise distinguish the Maireads of Celtic Woman as "Mairead N" and "Mairead C".
A distinction being that these soloists of Celtic Woman are just as beautiful, but possessed of more talent!
As we suspected, Mairead C sang the songs from the DVD/CD which were sung by Meav. She remarkably seems to possess the same vocal range as Meav, as was demonstrated in several songs such as Silent Night.
Lisa shone in her numbers such as I'll Be Home for Christmas and my favorite, Auld Lang Syne. I'll not be present where that song is sung by her and not stand for an ovation, as I did this night.
Each of the girls did marvelously in the introduction of their numbers and in reminiscing about past Christmases. That Lisa, Susan and Mairead N did so was not surprising to me. That Mairead C did was a bit unexpected, as I did not expect so much so quickly from her! She was not the least bit nervous or apprehensive in her presentation. As such, she has proved David has not lost his touch in the selection of superb soloists for the group.
The crowd progressively enjoyed themselves and by the end of the show, would not let them leave without an encore. Lisa held the microphone for Mairead N as she ended the show with her seductive utterance of "Let it Snow".
Celtic Woman fans should make every effort to attend one or more of these fabulous Christmas shows.
