Another Celtic Woman Concert Review

Another day, another Celtic Woman concert. Ho-hum.

Okay, now that I have your attention………..

I went to Chicago and attended another CW concert on Friday, April 20, 2007. At the risk of being redundant, I have to say this was the best one yet. I've discovered a pattern; I could go to a thousand CW concerts, and the thousandth one would certainly be the best. No matter how familiar I am with the performers and their songs, each time I see them I discover something new to love; a certain smile or toss of a lovely head; a knowing wink and nod between entertainers who know they're at the top of their game; a drummer who casually tosses his spoons over his shoulders when he's done with them.

I thought long and hard about writing this piece. Anyone who has seen this marvelous troupe perform live is well aware of their magical, healing effects. Anyone who has not yet had the pleasure - well, suffice to say that you have a singular experience in store.

My simple words are not going to convince a skeptic that he should make an effort to attend a concert. I am just not qualified to write a "review" that's going to alter anyone's opinions. Besides, how does one write a critique of a warm, spring day, or the purity of winter's first white dusting of snow? When a chorus of angels sing, is there a critic taking notes and writing that "tenor number 47 in the 3rd row is slightly off key"? So I decided that the one thing I can and will write about is feelings; emotions. Specifically, I want to write about simple gratitude.

I purposely waited a few days before starting on this. I needed time to let my mind and my heart settle down and sort things out properly. Naturally, during and immediately after the show, my reaction could be summarized as an almost euphoric joy. But euphoria is impossible to sustain. It's been almost four days since the show; if I were as giddy and joyful now as I was at 11 PM last Friday, someone would haul me away to the laughing academy. I still can't help smiling (a bit wistfully) when I think back on the experience. But the slings and arrows of daily existence have dragged me, kicking and complaining, back down to the real world. The deepest, most lasting emotion I am left with now is a sincere feeling of thankfulness.

Thank you, Chloë, for growing up before my eyes and becoming the radiant young woman you are. You not only thrill me with your talent, but you restore my faith that my generation is going to leave this tired old planet in very good hands. And thank you for not letting your maturity interfere with your delightful, youthful exuberance.

Thank you, Máiréad, our Unidentified Fiddling Object, for your unequaled skill and showmanship, and for the incredible energy and vitality you bring to every performance. Despite your being somewhat "vertically challenged," thank you for proving, again and again, that there is nothing "small" about you.

Thank you, Méav, for showing me that there is still a place in the world for true style and grace. You are indeed the complete package, combining your unequaled vocal talent with genuine warmth and good humor. Thank you for injecting a much-needed dose of old world charm into my otherwise humdrum existence.

Thank you, Órlagh, for taking me to wonderful places I've never been before. You've taught me how to visit the castles of my dreams and still be close to the Earth. Your delicate vocals caress my senses as your skillful fingers caress your harp strings. Thank you for sharing your gentility and your loving heart.

Thank you, Lisa, for, well, everything. Thank you for singing to me personally, even though we allowed thousands of others to listen in. You've traveled to such far-flung places as Florida, Virginia, and Illinois, to perform just for me and a few close friends. Thank you for your warmth, your smile that would light a stadium, and for occasionally letting your inner imp shine through.

Thank you, David, for your genius, and your compositions and arrangements that blend these ladies so perfectly while still allowing each of them to dazzle me with their individual gifts.

Finally, thank you, PBS. Although I've verbally flogged you for boring me to tears with The Nightly Business Report, News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Capitol Update, and seemingly endless begathons, you also introduced me to the wonderful phenomenon known as Celtic Woman. And for this I will be forever in your debt. Thank you, also, for making it possible for me to actually meet (albeit briefly) and share a few laughs with Lisa, Chloë, and Máiréad.