Post by Stephany on May 11, 2007 5:31:31 GMT
Hi everyone,
Lisa Kelly and Chloe Agnew were interviewed by Melissa Hank for TV GUIDE when they visited Toronto.
No Hayley involved here, except a picture (slightly different from what we have previously seen) so I thought I could post it here anyway.
Best wishes,
Stephany
Lisa Kelly and Chloe Agnew were interviewed by Melissa Hank for TV GUIDE when they visited Toronto.
No Hayley involved here, except a picture (slightly different from what we have previously seen) so I thought I could post it here anyway.
Best wishes,
Stephany
Celtic Woman offers musical fairytale for St. Patrick’s Day
By Melissa Hank
With their second TV special in heavy rotation, Celtic Woman’s fresh take on Irish music has something for everyone
The opening of Celtic Woman’s A New Journey TV special is so haunting and magical, it could put any Disney kiddie epic to shame.
The orchestra swells around Ireland’s Slane Castle, its torches crackle with life, and the cameras sweep to five women emerging like nymphs in white chiffon. I’d like to see The Little Mermaid make an entrance like that.
Comprising four established Irish vocalists and one fiddler, Celtic Woman is an international sensation – and that’s not just media spin. Between their self-titled debut and Christmas albums, the group has been No. 1 on the Billboard World Music chart for more than 95 straight weeks. What’s more, their first CD/DVD has aired more than 3,400 times on PBS since its March 2005 release.
With this CD/DVD, which bowed on PBS in December and boasts contemporary and traditional songs, they hope to stay in the spotlight. As part of their promotional tour, Celtic Woman will guest on Martha today (1 p.m. ET, Slice), and you can check our listings for local PBS airings of A New Journey.
The ladies – Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, Máiréad Nesbitt, and Hayley Westenra (subbing for Méav Ní Mhaolchatha) – recently had a pit stop in Toronto, and we got a chance to chat with two of them.
TV Guide: Your first CD/DVD went platinum in the U.S. What was it like recording a follow-up?
Lisa Kelly: It was a bit crazy. We had just come off a tour for the first album last August and had just finished the CD for this one.
TVG: The five of you meshed well in your first special, but in this one you seem even closer. What changed?
Chloë Agnew: In the first DVD, we were just getting to know each other. But with this one, we had already lived together for two years. And you can see the camaraderie, the chemistry. We were just blessed that we found five women who could get on so well! I see them more than my family – they’re my family now!
TVG: Many families have rivalries, though. Is there any competition among you?
CA: [Shakes head.] We sing as a group, but we’re still featured as soloists with songs that suit us, so there’s no competition. We’re all very different in our personalities.
TVG: So what does each of you bring to the group as a vocalist?
CA: I’m a rocker. Typical teenager – I listen to everything that’s on the charts! [Laughs.]
LK: Chloë brings a younger element, Méav brings a classical perspective, Órla brings the older traditional Irish music.
CA: And Lisa’s got a lot of musical training in theatre.
TVG: You’ve also got Máiréad on the fiddle.
CA: She brings a great element of energy to the show – she really flies around the stage!
LK: It’s the icing on the cake. She’s feisty – on stage and off!
TVG: Can you tell me about the songs on this project?
LK: They’re all songs that we knew and a lot of them we learned growing up. I love them all – it’s so important for a performer to connect with a song and love what they’re doing. You can’t fake that.
TVG: Is it difficult to make the traditional Irish songs sound current?
LK: Well, we have traditional instruments, like the fiddle and fife, but when you introduce strings and an orchestra, it becomes instantly modern.
CA: That’s why the music appeals to old and new music lovers alike.
TVG: But will non-Irish people like it?
CA: Everyone can identify with Irish music. For such a small place, it’s really made a mark on the world.
LK: Irish music is a very visual form. You can picture the land and the sea. It’s really music from the heart.
TVG: Any favourites on this DVD?
CA: For me, it’s ‘The Prayer.’ Every time I sing it I think of my family and friends at home, especially my sister, and how I hope they’re praying for me, and how I pray for them.
LK: We’ve done a version of ‘Beyond the Sea,’ and I think it is the most distinguishable as us.
CA: It was in a Toyota Hybrid commercial, then we decided to record a full-length version. We’ve also done ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ but put it into a lovely four-part harmony version that hasn’t really been done before.
TVG: I have to ask – is Celtic Woman about ‘girl power’?
CA: [Laughs.] Like the Spice Girls?
TVG: I guess, in a way ...
LK: Well, we try to show the modern-day Irish woman. And Irish women have always been the head of the house – despite what the men will say. [Laughs.]
CA: [Nods.] Irish women are known for being strong and feisty.
LK: We had a female president first, so I think we come from a country in which women are empowered.
TVG: Finally, the backdrop for this DVD – Slane Castle – is such an iconic landmark.
CA: It’s known for its rock ‘n’ roll acts. I’ve seen U2 there, and the last concert I went to was the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
LK: The castle really added to the mysticism of the show. I don’t know how we’ll top it in the next DVD.
Celtic Woman plans tour stops in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa from June 15-17. Check www.celticwoman.com for details.
Can’t get enough of the Emerald Isle this St. Patrick’s Day? Stock up on more Irish music HERE and find out why Irish actors are so angry with Hollywood HERE.
Published: Thursday, March 16, 2007
By Melissa Hank
With their second TV special in heavy rotation, Celtic Woman’s fresh take on Irish music has something for everyone
The opening of Celtic Woman’s A New Journey TV special is so haunting and magical, it could put any Disney kiddie epic to shame.
The orchestra swells around Ireland’s Slane Castle, its torches crackle with life, and the cameras sweep to five women emerging like nymphs in white chiffon. I’d like to see The Little Mermaid make an entrance like that.
Comprising four established Irish vocalists and one fiddler, Celtic Woman is an international sensation – and that’s not just media spin. Between their self-titled debut and Christmas albums, the group has been No. 1 on the Billboard World Music chart for more than 95 straight weeks. What’s more, their first CD/DVD has aired more than 3,400 times on PBS since its March 2005 release.
With this CD/DVD, which bowed on PBS in December and boasts contemporary and traditional songs, they hope to stay in the spotlight. As part of their promotional tour, Celtic Woman will guest on Martha today (1 p.m. ET, Slice), and you can check our listings for local PBS airings of A New Journey.
The ladies – Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, Máiréad Nesbitt, and Hayley Westenra (subbing for Méav Ní Mhaolchatha) – recently had a pit stop in Toronto, and we got a chance to chat with two of them.
TV Guide: Your first CD/DVD went platinum in the U.S. What was it like recording a follow-up?
Lisa Kelly: It was a bit crazy. We had just come off a tour for the first album last August and had just finished the CD for this one.
TVG: The five of you meshed well in your first special, but in this one you seem even closer. What changed?
Chloë Agnew: In the first DVD, we were just getting to know each other. But with this one, we had already lived together for two years. And you can see the camaraderie, the chemistry. We were just blessed that we found five women who could get on so well! I see them more than my family – they’re my family now!
TVG: Many families have rivalries, though. Is there any competition among you?
CA: [Shakes head.] We sing as a group, but we’re still featured as soloists with songs that suit us, so there’s no competition. We’re all very different in our personalities.
TVG: So what does each of you bring to the group as a vocalist?
CA: I’m a rocker. Typical teenager – I listen to everything that’s on the charts! [Laughs.]
LK: Chloë brings a younger element, Méav brings a classical perspective, Órla brings the older traditional Irish music.
CA: And Lisa’s got a lot of musical training in theatre.
TVG: You’ve also got Máiréad on the fiddle.
CA: She brings a great element of energy to the show – she really flies around the stage!
LK: It’s the icing on the cake. She’s feisty – on stage and off!
TVG: Can you tell me about the songs on this project?
LK: They’re all songs that we knew and a lot of them we learned growing up. I love them all – it’s so important for a performer to connect with a song and love what they’re doing. You can’t fake that.
TVG: Is it difficult to make the traditional Irish songs sound current?
LK: Well, we have traditional instruments, like the fiddle and fife, but when you introduce strings and an orchestra, it becomes instantly modern.
CA: That’s why the music appeals to old and new music lovers alike.
TVG: But will non-Irish people like it?
CA: Everyone can identify with Irish music. For such a small place, it’s really made a mark on the world.
LK: Irish music is a very visual form. You can picture the land and the sea. It’s really music from the heart.
TVG: Any favourites on this DVD?
CA: For me, it’s ‘The Prayer.’ Every time I sing it I think of my family and friends at home, especially my sister, and how I hope they’re praying for me, and how I pray for them.
LK: We’ve done a version of ‘Beyond the Sea,’ and I think it is the most distinguishable as us.
CA: It was in a Toyota Hybrid commercial, then we decided to record a full-length version. We’ve also done ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ but put it into a lovely four-part harmony version that hasn’t really been done before.
TVG: I have to ask – is Celtic Woman about ‘girl power’?
CA: [Laughs.] Like the Spice Girls?
TVG: I guess, in a way ...
LK: Well, we try to show the modern-day Irish woman. And Irish women have always been the head of the house – despite what the men will say. [Laughs.]
CA: [Nods.] Irish women are known for being strong and feisty.
LK: We had a female president first, so I think we come from a country in which women are empowered.
TVG: Finally, the backdrop for this DVD – Slane Castle – is such an iconic landmark.
CA: It’s known for its rock ‘n’ roll acts. I’ve seen U2 there, and the last concert I went to was the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
LK: The castle really added to the mysticism of the show. I don’t know how we’ll top it in the next DVD.
Celtic Woman plans tour stops in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa from June 15-17. Check www.celticwoman.com for details.
Can’t get enough of the Emerald Isle this St. Patrick’s Day? Stock up on more Irish music HERE and find out why Irish actors are so angry with Hollywood HERE.
Published: Thursday, March 16, 2007