Celtic Woman blends styles with Irish musicBy Roberta C. Nelson - McClatchy Newspapers
Edition Date: 05/09/07
Despite its singular name, "Celtic Woman" is actually six women — five vocalists and a fiddler. David Dounes, of Celtic Collections and the group's music director, selects their music but manages to showcase each artist's unique style.
From the the hymn-like arrangements of familiar pop songs such as "Beyond the Sea" to other original arrangements by Downes of traditional Irish ballads, folk music and classical composers, Celtic Woman has as many styles as a rainbow has colors.
Its sound is a lively mix of Irish dance music, as well as the sound of a medieval choir in a rural monastery, and traditional ballads. Especially haunting is the a cappella version of "Over the Rainbow."
"We all come from very different backgrounds in music," said group member Lisa Kelly. The DVD "A New Journey, Live at Slane Castle, Ireland" was released in January.
"David chooses the music based on each of our personalities, but he is very approachable," Kelly said. "He will sit with us and know what we are thinking, and some of the girls get to make their own arrangements."
Other Celtic Woman members are Chloe Agnew, Orla Fallon, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha and Hayley Westenra, with Mairead Nesbitt on fiddle.
From the the hymn-like arrangements of familiar pop songs such as "Beyond the Sea" to other original arrangements by Downes of traditional Irish ballads, folk music and classical composers, Celtic Woman has as many styles as a rainbow has colors.
Its sound is a lively mix of Irish dance music, as well as the sound of a medieval choir in a rural monastery, and traditional ballads. Especially haunting is the a cappella version of "Over the Rainbow."
"We all come from very different backgrounds in music," said group member Lisa Kelly. The DVD "A New Journey, Live at Slane Castle, Ireland" was released in January.
"David chooses the music based on each of our personalities, but he is very approachable," Kelly said. "He will sit with us and know what we are thinking, and some of the girls get to make their own arrangements."
Other Celtic Woman members are Chloe Agnew, Orla Fallon, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha and Hayley Westenra, with Mairead Nesbitt on fiddle.
Click here for the full story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/276/story/82918.html
No comments:
Post a Comment