Review: Celtic Woman

Subject: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 06:48 PM

I've been told THEY ROCK.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,AWG
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 06:53 PM

You got it, Jimbo. If I didnt have a job, Id go to every concert across the USA and Canada.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 06:56 PM

Please! Tell me more.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 06:59 PM

Ha Ha, Finally another fan. Well where to start ...

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:00 PM

From the very beginning. Please.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:02 PM

Ahhh, sarcasm. I see you are bored this evening.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:07 PM

Can't make up my mind whether to watch "A New Journey" DVD or go out to Karaoke.
Relax. Keep an eye on your thread. Some love them. Some don't but they will want to hear from you.
Sorry about the sarcasm.
Glad you've found what you like.
Cheers
Jim Brannigan

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:11 PM

Any relation to Laura ? No worries, I understand sarcasm, Lord knows, I dish enough of it out !! PS Go to Karaoke, and try your hand at some Celtic Woman :)

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:14 PM

To my mind, the show is overproduced and the audience too large for "Folk".
Could it be that decades of singing traditional songs to smaller groups has left me with a false impression of what folk music is about?

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Stringsinger
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:14 PM

In my opinion, Mairead Nesbitt is one of the best fiddlers I've ever heard. And undoubtably the sexiest.

Maeve does a definitive version of "She Moved Through The Fair" and "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Tara's Halls"

Orla reminds me of Mary O'Hara but she has her own epic style.

Lisa Kelly has a versatile voice that to me suggests the flowing of honey.

Chloe has a pure innocence and is fantastic in her high range.

Did I also mention that I like them?

I'm a fan.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:21 PM

You missed the Laura comment, eh? I dont even know if she is still performing or what. By the way, I doubt it has, Folk music has nothing to do with CW, ...see 'Gordon Lightfoot', James Taylor, or Jimmy Buffet, or perhaps Cat Stevens(?), to list a few of the bigger names in Folk. Gordon Lightfoot was born about a half hour from where Im from, although Im sure he doesnt live there any more, probably lives in Toronto or some other big city somewhere.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,AWG
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:23 PM

Boy Jim, see what you started ? I bet this thread gets REAL BIG...

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:27 PM

So the big production suits your taste, Frank?
Doesn't harm the folk process?

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,AWG
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:31 PM

Hey Jim, nice to hear you are a performer yourself. I hope you dont 'lipsynch' :) Just kidding, Im sure you do, doesnt everybody?? LOL Everyone except CW that is.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:38 PM

I guess when I think of 'folk' music, I think of some of the names mentioned above. However, CW does sing some traditional Irish Folk, mixed with some 'contemporary' numbers, and some pop and classical as well. Boy, what a mixture ! They just take all these types of music and give them a Celtic 'twist'. That has something to do with why they are popular with all age groups and people having varied musical tastes.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:45 PM

Well, I suppose they reek of commercialism, but I have to admit I enjoy their music - I don't mind looking at them, either.
-Joe, not a very good folk purist-

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: John Hardly
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:46 PM

It's no longer a mystery what's played in the elevators and waiting rooms of British Isles.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 07:56 PM

I'll have another look. Must be getting old though that it takes some convincing to have me take a second look at pretty ladies.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Stringsinger
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 08:07 PM

Jim Lad, I love really talented people. CW is one of the most talented. They have taken the music that they know and presented it in a wonderful communicative way. David Downes is a fine musical director as is Bill Whelan.

They haven't harmed the folk process one bit. They may have helped it along considerably because those who have not had the pleasure of hearing Irish music will thoroughly enjoy what CW does and this may inspire them to dig deeper into the "tradition".

Jim, there are many performers who have high production value that sing folk-related material. High production could mean an ability to sway audiences....such as Pete Seeger or Paul Robeson....Harry Belafonte, Miriam MeKeba, and although some may groan at this,
The Kingston Trio. I would also place Tommy Makem and the Clancys in this production area as well. This is show business, pure and simple, but it does create interest in folk music and stimulates some to explore furthur.

CW are lovely to look at as well which doesn't hurt.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 08:21 PM

My wife was extremely impressed with the fiddler and is a very good fiddler herself. I on the other hand, tend to look at the Big Production with a suspicious eye. My problem I suppose.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,Ref
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 08:29 PM

This stuff is very popular, but...I guess I'm too biased towards the Austin City Limits approach. They've got real production values, an intimate audience setting and no lip-synching. This reminds me of the disappointing parts of Cirque Du Soleil, with way too much stately prancing in gowns with big arm movements. I'd looooove to see these artists in an "unplugged" performance. Oh, and I'd like to hear Haley Westenra sing God Defend New Zealand and extend the celtic world a little!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 08:36 PM

You know, people would probably be happier if they stopped trying to 'pick apart' a production, and just enjoy it for what it is, that being, an evening of entertainment. Whether it is folk, traditional or contemporary, classical, pop, rock, renaissance, baroque, romantic etc, it doesnt really matter (except for the purpose of giving people something to debate I suppose). If you listen and enjoy, thats all that matters! CW is very enjoyable to listen to, and to look at, regardless of the 'motives' of the production team (at least according to millions of people who pay to see them perform). They appeal to the masses, due to their wide range of musical genres and styles covered. And that they give it a celtic flavour keeps them true to their Irish roots. They may never be as popular as the Rolling Stones or perhaps Eminem, but hey, that DVD is certainly fun to watch and listen to, and how can you complain about that.?

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 08:49 PM

Hey Ref...Actually, all of the CW singers, and Mairead, have done little else but perform 'unplugged' before CW came to be. Hayley Westenra holds world records(fastest debut to platinum in the world, I believe), and has performed for The Queen of England and President Bush, among others, and Meav was a member of Ireland's most prestigious choir, Mairead is an all-Ireland fiddle champion, also performing for Princess Anne, Lisa Kelly has won numerous singing/performing awards in Ireland, Chloe has been performing since she was about 6, first album at 12 or 13, and is very famous in Ireland, and Orla is a legend in Ireland, her list of accomplishments is a mile long. PS I also enjoy Austin City Limits here in Canada.Great show!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 08:55 PM

Check out WWW.CELTICWOMAN.COM. I think you will be very impressed with the girls' credentials. At least you will know for sure that they are for real. Dont worry about 'the big production', just enjoy the music. Riverdance is a 'big production' but I doubt many people left the theatre with a frown on their faces. Bye for now.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 09:58 PM

I'll paraphrase what I said when CW first came out : over-produced, twee, pretentious crap. This is Michael Flatley's and Bill Whelan's "Riverdance" legacy -- multi-million-dollar productions of mass-audience pabulum. Yechh!

I love Irish traditional music, (but I'm not a purist by a long shot) and I'm young enough to appreciate the various fusions that have been created by innovators like Donal Lunny. But this does more damage to public perception of the music than even Flatley's abominations did (Lord of the Dance, anyone?).

It's horrible to think that this is what's shown to the world as a representation of "Celtic" music. There should be a law requiring the producers to start the show with a prominent disclaimer along the lines of "We spent a lot of money making these chicks look good, and hiring 73 musicians to back them. But by no means should this show be mistaken for an accurate representation of the current state of Irish music."

Yes, the girls can sing OK, yes Mairead can play the fiddle, yes they're even somewhat nice to look at. And it pleases me to see that erstwhile Coolfin drummer Roy Dodds is still getting paid for leppin' about. But the overall effect keeps making me gag. (I also fault PBS for going for the lowest common denominator in ther music specials. Now they've got "The 10 [or is it 12?] Irish Tenors"... puhleeeeze!)

For fantastic singing and playing of modern-day "Celtic" music, listen to recent releases by Roisin Elsafty, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, or Eddi Reader (review forthcoming) instead. And you might ask on thesession.org's discussion forum what players of real Irish music think of this...

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:25 PM

Oh, Brother.... Some people just dont get it. (maybe try to read a few posts prior to blurting out thy nonsense). The public doesnt percieve ANYTHING, get it? They just want to be entertained for an evening. Who said anything about 'representing the current state of Irish music'. Something wrong with wanting the show to look good, or the girls to look good, or hiring a few musicians to back them up? Get off PBS' back too. The show is designed to drum up pledges. Period. If you dont want to pledge, change the channel and go buy the DVD or even better, maybe buy a few tickets to a show. By the way, explain what you mean by 'real Irish music'. Talk about closed minded!!Sheesh.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:38 PM

Now AWG: I get the distinct impression that you are quite familiar with some of the Political Open Forums. I'll suggest that your manner of debate is just a tad confrontational. Know what I'm saying?
Enjoying the spirit of it all though.
Cheers
Jim

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 12:51 AM

maybe try to read a few posts prior to blurting out thy nonsense I read them. They didn't convince me.

The public doesnt percieve ANYTHING, get it? Bitter, are we? Frustrated musician? Even if you're not, that's a myopic and incorrect notion of your fellow man.

Who said anything about 'representing the current state of Irish music' Unfortunately, this is the closest thing to real Irish music that's been on mass TV since the Chieftains played at the Great Wall, and those watchers who are unfamiliar with real ITM may mistake an elaborate souffle like CW for the real Irish stew.

The show is designed to drum up pledges. Yes, I know. That's why it's mediocre.

explain what you mean by 'real Irish music'. As I suggested earlier, log on to thesession.org and start a thread asking for comments on CW.

Some people just dont get it Amen.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 01:02 AM

Michael, I agree with your first posting about them. My sisters called one night to tell me they were on and to give a listen. I couldn't stand them. It seemed so "canned" so "bland" so "unreal"...had to turn it off asap!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 02:04 AM

Yep, kat, and many others felt the same way. OTOH, many liked it. Waddaya gonna do?

Original thread here.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 07:52 AM

They're not my cup of tea.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,Ref
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 08:47 AM

I'm with Michaelr. This, and the other craptacular PBS pledge drive offerings are appealing to a particular, moneyed demographic. It's the same group that shells out good money to watch the truly weird Andre Rieux!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 10:56 AM

HeY! Anybody notice that Sesame Street's Andre Rieux is left handed or am I watching too many kid's shows.
Also, Dorothy (Elmo's goldfish) keeps changing. Makes me a little sad that.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: skarpi
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 11:08 AM

Where " In Bed or Music " ??



All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 11:11 AM

LOL...Skarpi!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 11:30 AM

Quite the sense of humour for one who hasn't seen the sun for about six months!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: artbrooks
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 11:53 AM

Personally, I don't see any reason that Irish/Celtic music necessarily has to be served up by three or four ugly guys wearing tweed hats. CW does mostly standard versions of mostly well-known tunes...and does them very well. Besides, they are cute! I saw the PBS special (it wasn't pledge night) and enjoyed it, and I have a couple of their CDs. On the other hand, I really can't afford to bust $120 for a pair of tickets to a live concert.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 11:59 AM

"ugly guys wearing tweed hats" hmm! http://jimbrannigan.com

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: artbrooks
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 12:14 PM

I rest my case

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 12:28 PM

I am not crazy about the CW but I can see why people enjoy them. They are entertaining and represent a particular aspect of a certain type of music. No harm in that. However, I do think that PBS does present some very good music during the fundraising thing..Loreen MCKennit at the El Hambra being a case in point. That was great music, And Nigel Eaton played the hurdy gurdy!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: radriano
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 01:49 PM

I found the Celtic Women show hard to watch, even somewhat demeaning to traditional music. I can see where it would appeal to a general audience but really, prancing around in a sexy fashion while playing the fiddle is just a bit too cheesy as is having to be pretty to sing the songs. The show is overproduced.

Just my opinion, mind you.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Jim Lad
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 01:52 PM

Donegal Tweed. That's what's missing!

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,AWG
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 04:26 PM

Jeepers, off to work for a day and look what happens, I get called 'confrontational'. Who ME, confrontational? What are ya gonna do about it sukka??   Actually Jim, I thought you might enjoy a little 'confrontation', as these forums sometimes get a little 'dry' and it never hurts to inject a little emotion into the mix. At least a few people seemed to 'get it' (except michaelr). Most people really dont care whether the music is 'authentic Irish' or not, as long as they are entertained, and CW is quite entertaining actually. Those looking for 'authentic' Irish music (whatever that means) will probably look elsewhere. Maybe to something a little 'lower key' and with less 'polish'.(like artbrooks said earlier). But hey, those who like pretty ladies who can sing with the best of them, along with a talented band and drummers, and a fiddle player that kicks butt, along with loads of 'bling' will probably enjoy CW. The rest will probably find what they need at their local Irish Pub (along with the other 10 patrons that night.) :)

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,AWG
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 04:50 PM

Hey Jim, see what you started ? This thread has become one of the busiest on the entire forum. Just goes to show you how many Celtic Woman fans there really are out there. (and fans in denial,of course). I bet this thread gets to the top 3 busiest, if not #1. You see, people are 'itching' to talk about CW, and you have given them a place to do it. Many thanks, Jim, from myself and the millions of CW fans out there !

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Amergin
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 05:05 PM

There is nothing wrong about pretty girls doing good music....Flogging Molly's fiddler is nice to look at too....but this is way too canned and overproduced....much like any boy or girl pop band. And the live performances seem much too uptight....and self important...in effect the music is boring.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 05:23 PM

Boring !?!? Yikes. Compared to what ? Do you tour with AC/DC or something? And one more thing, what do people mean by overproduced' ? Is there even such an animal ? What next, you don't like The Spice Girls ?

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: skarpi
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 05:36 PM

Jim lad , I see the sun all year around where I live :>)
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 05:38 PM

There's a Topic recording called "Celtic Women". Makes an innaresting comparison. I thought that the overall effect was something like an Easter show at Radio City Music Hall. And the dancing fiddler--who sounded jes' fine, BTW--was funny as hell.

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 05:52 PM

I have watched both productions as shown here in Central New York. I have watched them twice in fact. I even own both CDs. The result of well meaning relatives who are sure I must like all things Irish because I play in an Irish(Not Celtic) band.

I could tolerate this packaged production more if just one of the women were at least homely. Or if there was just one alto.

I am reminded too much of Milli Vanilli and I long for the record to skip.

I think the Pogues have done as big a disservice to Irish music in The US. Now every bar we go thinks you have to play well and sing poorly or you aren't authentic. But the writing is interesting at least.

But you know what? I don't see with my ears. I'll put on The Pogues and listen to The Sick Bed and watch the Celtic Babes with the sound off. Eye candy and some audio substance, Can't beat it.

Don

Subject: RE: Review: Celtic Woman
From: Stringsinger
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 05:56 PM

I was wondering how long it would take the folk snobs to start trashing CW.

Maybe it's because CW really know how to sing, have real musical value and are popular.

As to Irish music representatives, just plug in any country in the world, let's start with America and say only (fill-in-the_blank) is the real representative of American music.
How ridiculous is that?

Why is it that only if you sing through your nose or the back of your throat, scratch out music that sounds like a worn-out 78 phonograph record, and look like a derelict from a local bar that you are suddenly "honest"? Makes no sense to me. I call that folk-hype. (Kat, I don't think that's what you meant so this doesn't refer to you).

CW is helping an audience to understand and appreciate traditional Irish music. As for the so-called practioners of Irish music, many of them are "Celtoids", not Irish at all. And the Irish, just like Americans or Scots or anybody are the biggest mutts in the world. A pure Irish music is absurd as would be the music or people of any country.

Give up the snobbery and learn to appreciate real talent for what it is, not something into which you're trying to make it.

Mairead learned fiddling from the masters, Coleman, Morrison, etc. She just happened to develop a bit of classical training along the way. If you listen carefully to her, she places ornaments at the right place and plays with a genuine lilt, something many so-called Irish "Celtoid" players don't do.

Micheal Flatley was an All-Ireland champion flute player and one of the best step-dancers in Ireland. He made the Guinness Book of Records for being the fastest tap artists, a skill that you don't find every day.

Bill Whelan and David Downes are real musicians who know how to arrange music, and have serious training behind them.

I can see how you might not prefer to listen to CW and that's ok. But to trash them is only to show your ignorance.

Frank Hamilton