Feminine Mix Of Irish Melodies Coming To Kansas City

[Don]

Máiréad Nesbitt (seen here with Ray Fean) and the rest of the Celtic Woman show was in April and was at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sprint Center. Tickets were $52 and $67.

PBS darling Celtic Woman returned to Kansas City Sunday bringing its musical mix of history, nature, fate, love and siren-worthy --------------------------- appeal to the Sprint Center.
I understand there's Irish heritage in Kansas City, so that will be an added bonus, said songstress Lynn Hilary in a recent phone interview. We've been to Kansas City before and always felt right at home, even though it's in the middle of America.
Newcomer Alex Sharpe will join alumni Hilary, Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon and violinist Máiréad Nesbitt on the multi-platinum-selling group's seventh U.S. tour, a marathon 88-date run that boosts PBS membership drives as it crisscrosses the nation.
Despite all the KCPT publicity, those who assume Celtic Woman is only for blue hairs and Birkenstock wearers should think again. The group's music of past, present and future transcends target markets.
We usually have a very diverse audience, Nesbitt said. People from all walks of life attend our shows, and I think it?s because Americans appreciate history and beauty.
Celtic Woman's repertoire consists of traditional Irish melodies, light classical and modern favorites, infused with the singers trademark ethereal voices and a wee bit of spunky fun.
Two extensive percussion kits that would turn the loudest rockers green with envy form the cornerstone of the backing band, which mixes flutes and harps with electric guitar. A chorus also backs the vocalists.
While on stage, the women never stop moving. (In fact, for much of the show, some audience members may find themselves breathlessly anticipating a wardrobe malfunction from the performers cleavage-baring princess gowns.) The feisty Nesbitt, who makes fiddling look sexy, often steals the show.
We get a lot of energy from our audiences, Nesbitt said. As musicians we represent so many different styles of music, and I think people appreciate that. For those who have never seen us except on PBS, I think they're in for a very special surprise.
Much of Celtic Woman?s Kansas City set list will feature the group's newest CD, A New Journey, which is No. 1 on Billboard's World Album chart. It includes fan favorites "Granuaile's Dance," "Beyond the Sea" and "Caledonia," a romantic homage to the Scottish Highlands.
Kansas City fans can anticipate a hometown favorite to close the first half of the performance: an a cappella rendition of Over the Rainbow, which is also featured on "A New Journey."
Celtic Woman?s musicians return for the second half of the show wearing rich, jewel-colored gowns and taking turns with solos.
Nesbitt has received nods from reviewers for her performance of "Ashoken Farewell/The Contradiction," in which she duels the massive percussion section, rhythm for rhythm.
It's so wonderful being on tour and going to places like Kansas City, Hilary said. People are so positive when it comes to our music. I think it means many different things to different people, but in the end it's all about spending an evening together, and it's the music that brings us all together.

By CANDICE REED
Special to The Kansas City Star
Kansas City.Com
Posted on Wed, Mar. 26, 2008
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