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Topics - CWazyTom

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46
Emma Warren / Emma Videos
« on: May 04, 2023, 01:01:20 PM »
No shortage of videos for Emma!

Here are some I enjoyed the most:

Feels Like Home
From the Ivory Sessions Wedding Show
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cedx7l_g2lw/

I Can't Help Falling In Love (With You)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbLsBmJoFOF/

All I Ask (Wow!!!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CABVWCrgfI1/

Everlasting
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYESvvg3xC/

Rockaby
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_sqKZZgjGP/

Always You
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fr-FBAWJd/

Rise Up
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-podwHgUXA/

How Far I'll Go
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-XqGM6AteI/

Her performance on "Over the Rainbow" for BBC One TV (again ... WOW!!!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Nz-yDgSEC/

47
Megan Ruby Walsh / Megan says farewell to Celtic Woman
« on: April 16, 2023, 12:15:22 PM »
Now that it's official, we can post about it.

Megan has decided to leave Celtic Woman:


Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to give you all a little life update.

Last year I made the decision to step away from Celtic Woman. I am eternally grateful for the friendships that I have made an the experiences I got to share with them for the past nearly 5 years. I will cherish them forever! I feel incredibly blessed to have been surrounded by such incredible women. I wouldn't be half the woman I am today without them. I'm also so grateful for the love and support I have received from you all! It has been such a gift.

I'm so excited to be starting a new chapter and i can't wait for you all to hear the music that I've been working on! I've put my heart and soul into it and it has been such a fulfilling experience! Keep an eye out because I'll be announcing the first release very soon!

Sending so much love to everyone!

Megan



It was a privilege to be at both Megan's first show with Celtic Woman and her last. At that first show at Johnstown Castle, she as really nervous and her strength was as inspiring as her voice was beautiful. At her last show of the 2022 Christmas Symphony tour, my 32nd time seeing her with the group, I was getting an unusual amount of smiles and waves from her. Near the end of the show, during Auld Lang Syne, Megan showed some tears and her and Tara hugged a bunch of times. It seemed probable that at least one of them was leaving.

Those of us at a high enough tier on Patreon have known for a while she was leaving and honoured her request to keep her secret until she was ready. Patreon is a great platform for fans to support their favourite artists and I'm proud to help her to continue to do what she loves.

https://www.patreon.com/meganruby/posts

Megan seemed a bit shy early in her tenure with the group. On Patreon, we got to see a different side of her. She's funny and a deeply caring person.

I was having a really hard time before the Postcards tour and I don't know if I would have made it to that tour without her encouragement. Her kind words at the stage doors were also really helpful to me.

Every end is a beginning. As Megan begins this new chapter of her career, so too does Celtic Woman. Megan's gorgeous voice will surely be missed, but Celtic Woman has had a knack over the years for finding talented vocalists that fit perfectly with the group. I'm eager to get to know the newest member of Celtic Woman and enjoy the uniquely beautiful sound she will bring to the group we love.

48
Lynn Hilary / Eoghainín na nÉan & Íosagáin (featuring Lynn)
« on: March 25, 2023, 06:14:14 PM »
Eoghainín na nÉan & Íosagáin (Live)

Composed & Created by Colm Ó Foghlú
Featuring Lynn Hilary

If you've been browsing Lynn's website recently, you may have already heard these. If not, now's your chance.

These are live recordings from a musical. There's some Irish narration and a bunch of times when Lynn sings. Get settled in for a cup of tea, as they're a bit lengthy.

https://soundcloud.com/colmofoghlu/eoghaini-n-fri-eve-rough-mix?in=colmofoghlu/sets/eoghainin-na-nean-iosagain-live-composed-created-by-colm-o-foghlu&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/colmofoghlu/iosaga-n-fri-eve-rough-mix?in=colmofoghlu/sets/eoghainin-na-nean-iosagain-live-composed-created-by-colm-o-foghlu&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

49
Eabha McMahon / Scéalta (EP)
« on: March 16, 2023, 09:34:43 AM »
Éabha is releasing a new EP, available to stream on March 17th, 2023:

Scéalta

It features four of her favourite Irish language traditional songs:

1. Bríd Óg Ní Mháille
2. An Mhaighdean Mhara
3. Eleanór a Rún
4. Máirín De Barra

Here's a preview on YouTube with clips of the songs as well as some of the stories behind them:
https://youtu.be/jjRQrBP8-d4

50
Susan McFadden / Performance Academy: Cavan
« on: March 02, 2023, 05:52:03 PM »
Performance Academy Cavan is apparently hosting an easter dance camp featuring Susan McFadden and Carl MacGuire:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=662752315852310&set=a.252846776842868&type=3&theater

Their social media ad indicates it involves dance, drama, singing, musical theatre, arts & crafts, and games.

April 11-13, 2023
Ballinagh Community Hall, Cavan

51
Rebecca Winckworth / Rebecca's New Music
« on: February 22, 2023, 06:50:17 PM »
Rebecca's been busy working on new music.

Her first original single, "When I See You Again" releases March 3, 2023!

I'm not sure if this will release on Bandcamp, but if it does, it's worth keeping in mind that March 3 is Bandcamp Friday, meaning Bandcamp waives their share of proceeds for the artists.

52
Mairead Nesbitt / Máiréad Nesbitt's Twitter Account Hacked
« on: February 05, 2023, 01:01:52 PM »
In case you missed the news last week, Máiréad Nesbitt's Twitter account got hacked:

Facebook Post (Feb 3, 2023):

Quote
Hi everyone! Just to let you all know, my Twitter verified account has been hacked an NFT company or person. Anyone of you on twitter please post on twitter and/ or ignore if they ask you for money. It’s been very disappointing to most likely lose my account after all these years, work and followers. We are still trying to get it back and will keep trying. I just wanted to let you know and I appreciate all the support! Thank you!


53
Other Musicians / Karolina Protsenko
« on: February 05, 2023, 12:55:43 PM »
Karolina Protsenko is a teenage violinist (and singer) from Ukraine, currently living in the US.

She performs covers of popular songs. She's a fan of Lindsey Stirling and it shows a bit in her style.

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@KarolinaProtsenkoViolin/videos

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/karolinaprotsenkoviolinist/videos

Here's a small sample (she has a lot of videos):
Total Eclipse of the Heart: https://youtu.be/7E3ZKUPZsf4
Bohemian Rhapsody: https://youtu.be/0K_-QyGVAD8
The Final Countdown: https://youtu.be/893BuQR-5UE  (the guitar bridge part ... WOW)
Rolling In the Deep: https://youtu.be/Yh8WlM_BEs0
Cheerleader: https://youtu.be/pXO5Vxt6CeQ
Can't Help Falling In Love: https://youtu.be/Z8AwBkRj4F0
Love the Way You Lie: https://youtu.be/Q4HT6AU09CI

While she's known mostly for her violin work (most of them are her busking on the street surrounded by an amazed audience) she's a pretty good singer as well:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=343642410624974

54
Lisa Kelly / MIDDLE AGEish Podcast
« on: January 29, 2023, 04:12:59 PM »
Lisa Kelly is part of new podcast called MIDDLE AGEish:

https://www.middleageish.com/

55
A Christmas Symphony Tour 2022 / Muirgen interview
« on: January 19, 2023, 11:34:18 AM »
Here's an interview Muirgen did in Chicago during the Christmas tour:
https://youtu.be/RvKFPiKrb2g

Muirgen is charming and the interview goes beyond some of the cookie-cutter questions and answers.

56
Alex Sharpe / Scary Christmas
« on: December 24, 2022, 09:48:06 PM »
For those that haven't yet seen, our dear Alex had a very scary experience trying to fly home to Ireland for Christmas after her US tour with Jenny Oaks Baker. Most of the flights got cancelled due to the nasty winter weather.

Here's the news story of what happened to Alex's flight:
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/flight-en-route-dublin-airport-28810768?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button&fbclid=IwAR1N9tZdvf6NntU9iBYF2Z6wSAAt9YMFTVW_BBPnMsyxMqqg6mt86eLfWdg#amp-readmore-target

Alex was on the plane. I'm so glad she's ok, but the treatment she and her passengers received was awful, especially at Christmas time. Here's Alex's post:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046589301801

Quote
I WAS ON THIS FLIGHT YESTERDAY.
I’m sharing this on social media in the hope that these multi billion dollar companies might in some way be held accountable for the appalling treatment of their passengers who’s hard earned money is what keeps them in business.
After a terrifying experience of seeing the right engine of our plane EI 106 go up initially in sparks and then flames shortly after take off we were told to prepare ourselves for an emergency landing back to JFK airport.
People were extremely distraught at seeing this happen and none of us knew if we would even land safely.
There was much panic around me and many children and adults visibly shaken.
When we did land safely thanks to the very calm piloting of our Aer Lingus captain we were made to sit 3 hours on the plane because there was no gate for us to dock at.
None of us knew if it was even safe to be on the plane especially since one engine had caught fire and the plane had just prior to take off refueled to make the 6.5 flight back to Dublin.
When we eventually got back into the terminal building we were told Aer Lingus would be sending an empty plane the next day 24 Dec to fly us home in time for Christmas and we would receive a confirmation via email with our new flight details.
Then we were instructed that we had to collect our bags from the arrivals hall because we couldn’t wait at the gate if there was no outbound flight but that a Jet Blue representative would further instruct us on hotel accommodation etc.
The arrivals hall was freezing as the doors to it opened up to the curbside pick up and the temperature outside was -12
We waited there for 2.5 hours for our bags, we were not offered food vouchers or drinks of any kind there were children and babies crying and some very distressed parents with no car seats or buggies to put infants into.
There was NO provision made for any passengers for hotel accommodation, they assumed every passenger lived in New York and could and would go home until further updates on the rescheduled flight.
Jet Blue and Aer Lingus are claiming in the news that they did all they could to provide accommodation and make provisions for their passengers that is simply untrue they did NOTHING they abandoned us and left every single one of us to pick up the pieces of what was their responsibility to their passengers.
It was heartbreaking to see such a lack of humanity, unaccountability and basically to be treated like we were an inconvenience to them when we asked basic questions, all the passengers were extremely patient, no one raised their voices and rallied to help one another, those that lived in the NY area offering to open their homes to those with children and I myself was offered a bed by a very sweet couple.
I am grateful that we all touched down safely and I perish to think of what the outcome might have been had this “technical issue” happened over the Atlantic Ocean.
For now we have been rescheduled to fly tomorrow 25 Dec and arrive 26 Dec
It’s not acceptable to treat people like this and even more unacceptable to lie and say the total opposite to the media and general public.
Not much spirit of goodwill towards mankind by Jet Blue/Aer Lingus ground staff at JFK
Happy to be alive and grateful for the kindness of strangers.


I had a few Christmas wishes this year, but after reading this, I'm just grateful Alex is ok and I hope our other ladies get home safely too with all the storms.

57
Eabha McMahon / ANÚNA Christmas Memories PBS Special (2008)
« on: November 16, 2022, 11:22:37 PM »
Here is the ANÚNA Christmas Memories PBS special from 2008. There are a few familiar faces in some (not all) of the tracks, including Éabha McMahon and Rebecca Winckworth.

Full PBS special:
https://youtu.be/75KTCrfFC-Q

Note: The DVD has a bonus track "Away In A Manger" not in the PBS special video above.

58
What's your favorite Christmas Cards from Ireland track?

59
Christmas Cards from Ireland (Thoughts)

Cover

This cover is certainly different. The merry-go-round was an interesting decision. It's definitely not a cliché choice for a Christmas EP cover. I suppose it coveys a sense of nostalgia and childhood wonder. I thought they might have gone with dancing toys given that was a theme on the EP, but the central graphic choice they settled on works too, I guess. Given that Susan is on the EP instead of Hannah, it made sense not to have photos of the ladies on the cover (that would have just further confused an audience, most of whom by this point will have no idea who's actually in the group anymore).

The gray trees surrounding the merry-go-round, while artistically justifiable within the presented scene, aren't particularly appealing, but do offer a contrast that helps emphasize the merry-go-round. As a digital album, the appeal of the cover is less important than if it were an album that needed to draw attention on a shelf.

The rounded trees reminded me of the cover from Destiny, although I have to say I much preferred the colour scheme on the Destiny cover.

It should be noted, this may be the first Celtic Woman album or EP cover ever to not feature the original Celtic Woman "model" somewhere on the cover. Unless she's hiding in the merry-go-round or behind a tree, I don't see her.

The Toys' Waltz

I found this the most intriguing of the four tracks on the EP. The lyrics, melody, and arrangement were effective at evoking a nostalgic and magical mental scene where enchanted toys dance around the room. It's fresh, fun to listen to, and had me swaying in my seat. Definitely a lower-energy opening number than We Wish You A Merry Christmas from Celtic Woman: The Magic of Christmas, but I certainly enjoyed it and it was a good start to the EP!

O Holy Night

Ah yes, the obligatory "O Holy Night" cover. This is a refreshing arrangement of a song we've heard covered thousands of times in different ways by different artists. It felt like it was arranged sort of like a dance and I kind of liked it approached from that perspective. The track felt underpowered (an epic climax in this song is pretty much expected), but if one of the themes of the EP was to break from the Christmas clichés, the choices for this song were consistent with the theme.

The melody during the brief instrumental bridge was unexpected and sounded a little weird. I thought that was a good opportunity to feature Tara, but alas it was not to be. The harmony sounded nice and it worked for the track ... but I'm a bit confused why it was mixed the way it was . The harmony parts sounded more to me like a Muirgen solo with some choir-backup singers than the clear 3-part-principal harmony we had grown accustomed to during the Gavin Murphy era. Muirgen was by far the most dominant voice during the harmony.

I Saw Three Ships

This one was arranged like a lively march. My mind conjured images of toy soldiers marching around the room for some reason (carryover from The Toys' Waltz, perhaps).

I was half way through the track when, my jaw dropped. "What's this?" I thought. Then, I realized what I was hearing: "That's Tara!" :O She is on the EP! I had been starting to wonder, given that her talents had been frustratingly neglected to this point. Gavin Murphy valued her and knew how to use her effectively. I'm starting to think their current musical director does not. Tara is one of the most talented, expressive violinists on the planet and is now the longest-tenured active member in the group. She deserves to be at least as prominent as the other principal performers. I danced in my seat as her bow danced across her strings. It makes me so happy to hear her!

Then came another surprising twist. A rousing horn-backed into an effective harmony-filled finale. This was another fresh arrangement and was pretty well executed. It didn't have me excited out of my mind like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" from the Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas album and DVD

Silent Night

Pretty and soothing as one would expect. Susan opens the song with some lovely humming in the background. The harmony in this one was nicely done. The prevalence of humming rather than singing was yet another interesting twist in this collection of songs. I'm actually not sure though if the voices humming were Megan and Muirgen or backup singers. I enjoyed listening to the track, but Daragh's arrangements, including this one, are still struggling mightily to connect with me on any sort of profound emotional level like Gavin Murphy's or David Downes' did.

Overall

It was a pleasant EP to listen to, though like Postcards, there wasn't anything that excited me to the point of cheers, or that impressed me to the point of tears. I liked that:
- It had a fun, cheerful vibe, similar to Celtic Woman: The Magic of Christmas, an album which I dearly love
- That they revived their commitment to harmony, which had been sorely lacking on the Postcards from Ireland album.
- It made an effort to avoid being cliché.

Though the mixing this time around resulted in a much better (I'll call it "less muddy") sound than Postcards, there were still some truly confounding and quite frankly disturbing mixing choices, including:
- Having Muirgen unnecessarily overpower the other singers on multiple occasions, and worse
- Burying Tara's contributions for most of the EP (again). This has become a concerning trend since Gavin Murphy left.

May I for a moment acknowledge how amazing Muirgen sounds on this EP? She by far got the best studio mix of the bunch. Her voice is gorgeous, so one can hardly complain. I do feel bad for the other performers though. I don't feel like the mixing (and maybe in part the arrangements) did them the justice they deserved.

Having listened to this EP a number of times now: I wasn't disappointed like I was with the Postcards album. It was satisfying and enjoyable to listen to, but I wasn't blown away. I can't help but think that this could and should have sounded more special than it did. There wasn't anything breathtaking. Maybe that's just me and The Magic of Christmas, Ancient Land, and the albums before them set a standard so unreasonably high it can never again be achieved. Christmas Cards from Ireland was pleasant to listen to. But I can't help but wonder: if this had been what I'd heard that night years ago when I needed Celtic Woman the most, the night their beautiful music changed my life, would this have been enough...

Looking Forward

The Christmas tour, free from the recent studio mixing woes and with a full orchestra behind four of the most incredible performers in the world, is going to sound great! I'm looking forward to hearing Hannah with the group for the first time and seeing my favourite people doing what they love for all of us.

60
Mairead Nesbitt / The First House (Karl Nesbitt album)
« on: October 29, 2022, 10:56:26 PM »
Karl Nesbitt has released a new album called The First House. It's a live flute recording of traditional Irish tunes, old and new.

You can listen to it, stream it, and download it on various platforms, including Bandcamp:
https://karlnesbitt.bandcamp.com/album/the-first-house

On Bandcamp Friday's (next one is November 4, 2022), Bandcamp waives their share of proceeds so the artists get it all.


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