North American Tour 2007

[roger]

Hi Cathleen,

Thank you very much for sharing the audio files from the concert. It is never easy to achieve something like that at a live event, especially when you have to be discreet but you have done HWI proud.

Also, congratulations on making your 250th post and becoming a Senior Member!

Roger

[Natasha]

Wow, great audio’s!! I think there is a remarkable similarity between Hayley and Meav. Lisa and Chloe are my favorite performers from the group but Meav definitely is my favorite vocally, but Hayley sang “Duleman” beautifully, as well as “At the Cali.” (that can't be the write spelling, lol) I must say that's those songs are probably my favorites of everything I've heard from her recently!

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

Here are some extracts from a report on the New York concert by Christopher on Lisa Kelly's forum. Click on the link to read the full report:-

lisakelly.org/forum/index.php?topic=870.msg12723#msg12723

The CW signing at Barnes and Noble....

What a welcome surprise!! I had no idea there was to be a signing of any kind until after I'd arrived in New York. The size of the group of people there at the signing was not nearly so big as I thought it would be given all the publicity CW had that weekend. But it was certainly great getting to see all the girls, and very cool to get a picture or two with them. They were all so very sweet, very accomodating and they very warmly greeted us all. I had been privelaged to have met Meav a couple times before at past concerts, and this time around, it was very nice to meet Hayley, the 'new girl on the block'. They signed for everyone there, let us snap pictures, gave us all the chance for a picture of them as a group when everyone had passed through, and then they were off.

The concert.....

Jaw-droppingly wonderful.....Dave Kavanaugh gave a little opening speech and introduced several folks just before the show, including Scott Porter and David Downes. David spoke briefly, and then he and Dave exited and the lights dimmed.

From the very opening there was such an amazing energy and excitement for the concert. I am not going to go into a song by song review, since several folks have already done that and I have so very little to add to that, but I can tell you that this concert just seemed to be several notches higher in energy and performance than those I've seen before, even moreso than at Red Rocks last summer.

Everyone, and Mairead in particular, just seemed to just be on fire for this concert. She danced, whirled, jumped higher, leaped higher, grinned, snarled, flirted, beamed, and just totally jammed with every number she played in. She utterly thrived on the energy. I don't know that I've ever seen her play with as much sheer passion and energy as she did that night. The rest of the girls performed equally well and very much seemed to thrill to be playing there in front of their fans and all their family and friends that had come to see them.

As some have mentioned already, several favorites from the first concert tours were put back in, including Orlagh's 'Siuil a Run' and Mairead's 'The Butterfly', which for me personally made the concert that much better. Not that CW has any 'bad' songs whatsoever, but the ones added back in were some of my very favorite songs. Short of adding in 'May It Be' and/or 'Harry's Game', I felt it was the perfect song mix. The 'remix' of At the Ceili (?) added at the end, mentioned in previous posts, gave the end of the concert a very nice flow and a even better finish at the end, and was one of several 'tweaks' in the concert that I noticed, aside from the change in songs. 'The Butterfly' was slightly different, and was fabulous. The audience responded fantastically and enthusiastically and the girls all seemed to really feed off them as they performed. Orlagh's "Newgrange" was just beautiful and haunting, Lisa's 'The Blessing' and 'The Voice' were just awesome, and Hayley sang 'Scarborough Fair' like nobody else can. 'The Last Rose of Summer', which is becoming a new favorite of mine, also was just fantastic. Near the end, I looked over from my side of the auditorium just in time to watch as the banner got raised up. I caught Orlagh and Mairead's reaction from where I was sitting and as Lisa has already mentioned, they were very noticeably appreciative.

Even before the very last song was performed, many people, some singly, in pairs, some a half dozen or more, were already standing and applauding on the last few numbers as the concert began nearing the end. The girls all received flowers at the end and they were given a standing ovation after the final song which was obviously well deserved.

Overall, I would have to say that David Downes (and some or all of the girls I'm sure) have done a really great job of continually looking for ways to improve and better the concert experience and it was definitely noticed and tremendously appreciated and enjoyed. Those of you who have yet to see a concert and are going to one this year are in for one amazing ride.

Many thanks to Lisa, Chloe, Orlagh, Mairead, Hayley and the rest of the gang at CW for providing so many of us with some very wonderful memories. It was wonderful getting to see you all again. God bless you all on the rest of your tour.

Chris

Richard

[Stephany]

Thanks for finding the review, Richard.

Cathleen - right now, you are my hero!
Many thanks for taking the risk to record these audio clips. I really enjoyed "At the Ceili", even without actually seeing it, it's easy to tell through Hayley's voice how much she enjoys herself during the song!

"The Soft Goodbye" is also outstanding...loving it!!

[Stephany]

Two reviews from yesterday's concert in Nashville are also available on Lisa's forum. They all loved Hayley during the song "At the Ceili" because she was very playful...how I would love to see that! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I went to the show last night in Nashville! What a wonderful night!!!

Everything was as I would expect out of these top notch performers! Chloe was fantastic! Orla was perfection. Lisa, you were beautiful (btw, your new hair style is lovely). Hayley was wonderful. Mairead was energetic and awe inspiring.

I knew ahead of time that Meav wouldn't be there and I was worried that I would miss her. Well, I did miss her but not terribly. I think it is wonderful that she can go spend some time with her family. Hayley did a good job covering the songs that Meav usually sings. I love Meav and like her versions better than Hayley's, but Hayley's renditions were still beautiful and shouldn't be overlooked. She did a wonderful job with "Danny Boy" and "Duluman". "At The Ceili" was very fun and Hayley did a wonderful job at maintaining the playfulness that Meav normally puts into the song.

Full post here.

They really liked Hayley and Chloe, especially Hayley's performance in Dulaman and At the
Ceili. They enjoyed Chloe singing The Prayer and the fact that she addressed the audience. Orlagh was mystical with New Grange and I don't know if I want to say emotional with
Carrickfergus, but she made me feel emotional.

Full post here.

[Stephany]

richnorri said:

I think that's Chloë singing the lead in 'The Soft Goodbye', or is it Lisa?

It's definitely Lisa! I'm very happy to see Hayley contributing to songs from the CW other show. I would love to hear her sing Oronico Flow!

[roger]

... But what would happen if the Orinoco should flow into the Shenendoah? That would make a heck of a streaming video, wouldn't it?

Roger

[roger]

... But what would happen if the Orinoco should flow into the Shenendoah? That would make a heck of a streaming video, wouldn't it?

At least it would prove that The Water Is Wide, I guess!

Roger

[Stephany]

Nice one, Roger!

Another in-depth review of Nashville surfaced on the net at Lisa's forum. Full post available HERE (it's worth reading!). Small excerpt :

Hayley was fabulous. I was so pleasantly surprised to watch Hayley sing songs that are usually associated with Meav. I thought she handled her part in the show very well, and she made it her own, which is important. I was especially impressed with the way she sang “Dulaman.” Before I saw the show, I had my doubts, but Hayley dispelled them easily. In fact, Hayley impressed me so much that I bought her new CD before I left on Sunday.

[Joe]

Hi Cathleen,

Your clips from the CW concert are stunning! Thanks for sharing them.

Take care,
Joe

[Stephany]

Yet another review from Nashville. Love what they say about Hayley! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hayley is no longer "taking Meav's place" or "singing Meav's songs." Hayley is now a real card carrying Celtic Woman. She has made the songs hers when she sings them. When Meav once again sings with the group, they will be her songs. I wondered how they would perform " At The Ceili" with out Meav but Hayley nailed it like an air gun with a ten penny nail. She has arrived. I almost forgot, on saturday during one of the songs ( cannot remember which) Hayley was turned away from the audience when out of nowhere she did a little hip twist that was so cute. The fans let her know they appreciated her effort. I was going to take note of which song sunday but alas she didn't repeat the move. Live shows are so great

Full post HERE.

[1littlegirl]

stephany said:

I would love to hear her sing Oronico Flow!

Hi all!

Did I hear someone mention Orinoco Flow? Here it is!
smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/1littlegirl/?action=view¤t=OrinocoFlow.flv

You Raise Me Up (Listen for the surprise from Chloe towards the end!)
smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/1littlegirl/?action=view¤t=YouRaiseMeUp.flv

Spanish Lady
smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/1littlegirl/?action=view¤t=SpanishLady.flv

[Stephany]

Cathleen - you are amazing, thank you so, so much!

It gives me chills whenever I hear Hayley's voice.

[Oksana]

Thank you so much Cathleen for providing those amazing clips. They are much better quality than I expected, and it's so great to hear Hayley on the new songs. She sounds absolutely beautiful... I hope she will record them for her next CD... or perhaps she will put them a CW solo CD like the rest have.

Anyways, gorgeous clips. You've made my day!

Oksy

[Stephany]

someone said:

I hope she will record them for her next CD... or perhaps she will put them a CW solo CD like the rest have.

Oksy, that's an excellent suggestion. I would definitely love having those songs recorded on a CD.
Hayley sounds FANTASTIC in all the clips. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif