GG
Full Member
Posts: 245
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever...
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« on: November 29, 2021, 02:57:35 AM » |
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Okay, debate time...the returning songs featured on the Postcards from Ireland PBS special (Danny Boy, Amazing Grace and The Parting Glass) are all arrangements from Ancient Land, and so I would like to hear your thoughts on which special had the best presence for each song and why.
Here are my answers: Danny Boy: Postcards from Ireland. Looking back at both specials, I thought that Postcards was a little more suitable for this arrangement, mainly because it's rather relaxing and so some nice scenery would be quite fitting for the next time around. Don't get me wrong, the performance on the Ancient Land special is equally magic, but after watching Postcards, I realised how much more relaxing the song sounds against scenery other than castles, and Glendalough may have been the perfect choice when the group was out searching for something fitting.
Amazing Grace: Postcards from Ireland. One thing I ADORED about this segment of Postcards was how they made use of the Ancient Land arrangement of the song and made it a little bit longer, not just to fit with the nature of the song and the location it was filmed in, but also to give John Hunt the opportunity to actually become a "lone piper" playing the song, as described by Sean in his postcard. I also love Susan's presence in the song, but what I felt was more haunting was the part during the intro where the group walks out of the castle and into the meadow while John plays, making it feel like, as Danny Boy says, "the pipes, the pipes are calling" them. Need I say more? I ask you just watch Postcards and you'll understand everything I've said.
The Parting Glass: Ancient Land. Don't get me wrong, the version in Postcards is brilliant, and I like the feel it has as a finale, but Ancient Land completely bests it in every way. Why? Well, what with the presence of the New Ross & District Pipe Band and Johnstown Voices Choir, Ancient Land features what I'd say is the second best take on the song in a PBS special after Believe. Although my favourite finale would probably be Westering Home, the message of The Parting Glass still makes it a perfect end to a Celtic Woman concert, and Ancient Land is proof.
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