Celtic Woman sings from the heart

By Melissa Turtinen

With the New Year comes the release of a new album and tour for the Irish music phenomenon, Celtic Woman. The five-member, all-female group became famous from with their frequently aired PBS specials and were once named “Riverdance for the voice.” Celtic Woman is composed by David Downes – former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance.

Celtic Woman celebrates Irish culture in their original style which is backed by an Irish percussion ensemble and an orchestra.

Their new CD/DVD, Songs from the Heart, (Manhattan Records) will be released on Jan. 26, with the 75-show, three month tour beginning Feb. 9 in Virginia. Stops on the tour include two nights at the RadioCity Music Hall in New York City and three shows in Boston. Other stops in the Northeast include: Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Tickets go on sale Dec. 14.

In the last four years, Celtic Woman’s CD/DVD sales have surpassed four million and they’ve been on tour nine times throughout the United States. The group is timing their album release and tour well after gaining publicity from their recent performances. Such performances include the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington D.C., ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and their PBS TV Special.

The group mixes musical styles from Irish classics, contemporary covers and original compositions with vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloe Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe. Contributing to the vocals is Irish violinist Mairead Nesbitt.

Included in Songs from the Heart are original versions of classics such as Amazing Grace, My Lagan Love and Galway Bay, among others. Included on the album are studio-recorded songs that were performed during their PBS TV Special, Songs from the Heart – Live at Powerscourt House and Gardens, which began airing on Nov. 28. Celtic Woman’s fifth PBS special, Songs from the Heart is included on the DVD, filmed live in HD.

For album and tour information, visit Celtic Woman’s website at www.celticwoman.com.