Right there with you, Jed. Mairead and the boys are an absolute joy to be around. I don't have a problem with Celtic Women, in fact I enjoy the first CD. But the music I was raised with is something that we all inhabit, performers and audience alike, all are involved. When I watch the Celtic Women, I feel like a viewer of a manufactured spectacle. When I watch Mairead and the boys, I am a part of the music. Following the link Jed provided, one gets the absolute sense of what I am talking about.

By the way, I have seen erinmaiden perform with Kim Hoffman. Beauty AND talent would be an apt description. And the audience is very much involved.

All the best,

Mick