Post by Ginny on Nov 25, 2006 21:23:57 GMT -5
Ok, so I decided to delete the other thread I started, and just make a new one. Here it is, finally!
I went to the show with my sister, mom, grandmother, and neighbour. We had pretty good seats-off to the side, about five or six rows from the stage. The theatre was really nicely decorated for Christmas. When The Cottars first came out, at least three of us (including me) thought that Ciaran was Bruce! He just looks so much older now than before.
The first song they performed was the Polkas Medley. After that, they sang Calling on Song, and after that was Pat Works on the Railway. Then they sang a new song. I had never heard it before. It's an absolutely beautiful song, and I hope that if they record a new CD soon, that this song is on it. It's called The Maid of Llanwellyn. They sang another new song not long after that one. I'm not sure what it was called, but I'm going to try to trace it online. It had something to do with weaving, and it was very upbeat. I don't remember the order of the rest of the songs, so I'll just list them. In order of CD's they were as follows:
Kitchen Racket (last song, as usual)
Ready for the Storm
Boholla/Fiddle Medley (right before Kitchen Racket)
Planxty Mira Medley
Byker Hill
Georgia Lee
Sliabh Na mBan
Hold On
That's all I remember from CD's. Claire and Ciaran played a few new medleys together, and there was also one group instrumental jigs piece that was pretty cool. Fiona also performed the Lament For Lost Books, which almost received a standing ovation. Ciaran performed his "Playing Right Field" which was entertaining as ever. Ciaran and Bruce even performed a duet, with their guitars, in various tuning methods-DADGAD and others. I think there were a few more songs, but I don't remember what they were. Most likely a few new ones.
Anyway, the concert was rather cheery, until the encore. I was surprised that during the show, they didn't mention John Allan Cameron at all. The thing is, they were saving it for the end. Each member took a minute to say a few words about how much he did for them, and other local musicians. Then, they sang a few verses of "The Four Marys", with the audience joining them on the chorus. Immediately after, they sang The Briar and the Rose. It was without a doubt the best I've ever heard Fiona perform it..and keep in mind that I've seen her perform it live four times before this, five if you include the 2003 ECMAs (which I watched from home
). Perhaps it was the fact that she just keeps getting better, or perhaps it was the circumstances in which she was singing the song. I'd say both. She always sings it with a lot of emotion, but I have never heard her sing it with that much emotion. She even seemed to be having some difficulty singing certain parts-almost like she'd start crying if she sang the next line. I don't blame her at all though-if I had been singing in honour of a good friend of mine who had just passed away, I don't think I'd make it through the song. I think the people sitting behind me were crying a bit-I heard a lot of sniffling. Anyhoo, she received a standing ovation of course. After that, to lighten things up a bit for the last song, Claire and Bruce joined them again, and they performed the Miss Casey's Medley.
After the show, I stayed around for autographs, of course. I waited a few minutes, then got in line. There weren't too many people who stayed to talk to them, so I didn't have to wait long. I got them all to sign Forerunner, which was the only CD I hadn't had them sign. As Claire was signing mine, I mentioned to her that a friend of mine claims to know her really well. I told her who, and she said "Hey I do know him! He's my buddy!", and I told her how I knew him (family friends). While we were talking, Fiona even joined in and said "I know him too! He goes to my school!" (which I knew already ). Anyway, as nervous I had been waiting in line, I found them really easy to talk to, which was nice. After I had got the autographs, I moved away from the table to put my CD back in my purse. I had brought along my camera, just in case I worked up the courage to ask for a picture. I wasn't going to bother, but then my mom mentioned that there were only two more people in line, and that everyone else had left. Working up all the courage I had in me, I did one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever done (just kidding! 
) and timidly approached the table again, asking if they wouldn't mind taking a picture with me. Of course they said yes, and now I have two lovely pictures of me, Joanna, and The Cottars. Once I actually take the time to upload them on the computer, I'll post them.
Anyway, the show was great. I think it was probably the best Cottars concert I've seen yet. Bruce and Claire are awesome. Claire has a very impressive vocal range-you could hear her sing harmony very clearly, and confidently. I hope she gets some vocal solos in the future-I'd love to hear more of her singing. Ciaran has completely taken over the humour portions of the show. We all know how much humour Jimmy used to contribute, so now with him gone, Ciaran has to do a lot of it himself, and he does a GREAT job. I was talking to someone I knew at the show, who actually thought he was twenty-five, just from the stage presence and musical ability and overall personality and appearance. Fiona was as good as ever-wowing the crowd with every song she sang, or whistled, or bodhraned ( ). I'll say it one more time-AWESOME show!
Pictures coming soon!
Cheers,
Ginny
I went to the show with my sister, mom, grandmother, and neighbour. We had pretty good seats-off to the side, about five or six rows from the stage. The theatre was really nicely decorated for Christmas. When The Cottars first came out, at least three of us (including me) thought that Ciaran was Bruce! He just looks so much older now than before.
The first song they performed was the Polkas Medley. After that, they sang Calling on Song, and after that was Pat Works on the Railway. Then they sang a new song. I had never heard it before. It's an absolutely beautiful song, and I hope that if they record a new CD soon, that this song is on it. It's called The Maid of Llanwellyn. They sang another new song not long after that one. I'm not sure what it was called, but I'm going to try to trace it online. It had something to do with weaving, and it was very upbeat. I don't remember the order of the rest of the songs, so I'll just list them. In order of CD's they were as follows:
Kitchen Racket (last song, as usual)
Ready for the Storm
Boholla/Fiddle Medley (right before Kitchen Racket)
Planxty Mira Medley
Byker Hill
Georgia Lee
Sliabh Na mBan
Hold On
That's all I remember from CD's. Claire and Ciaran played a few new medleys together, and there was also one group instrumental jigs piece that was pretty cool. Fiona also performed the Lament For Lost Books, which almost received a standing ovation. Ciaran performed his "Playing Right Field" which was entertaining as ever. Ciaran and Bruce even performed a duet, with their guitars, in various tuning methods-DADGAD and others. I think there were a few more songs, but I don't remember what they were. Most likely a few new ones.
Anyway, the concert was rather cheery, until the encore. I was surprised that during the show, they didn't mention John Allan Cameron at all. The thing is, they were saving it for the end. Each member took a minute to say a few words about how much he did for them, and other local musicians. Then, they sang a few verses of "The Four Marys", with the audience joining them on the chorus. Immediately after, they sang The Briar and the Rose. It was without a doubt the best I've ever heard Fiona perform it..and keep in mind that I've seen her perform it live four times before this, five if you include the 2003 ECMAs (which I watched from home
). Perhaps it was the fact that she just keeps getting better, or perhaps it was the circumstances in which she was singing the song. I'd say both. She always sings it with a lot of emotion, but I have never heard her sing it with that much emotion. She even seemed to be having some difficulty singing certain parts-almost like she'd start crying if she sang the next line. I don't blame her at all though-if I had been singing in honour of a good friend of mine who had just passed away, I don't think I'd make it through the song. I think the people sitting behind me were crying a bit-I heard a lot of sniffling. Anyhoo, she received a standing ovation of course. After that, to lighten things up a bit for the last song, Claire and Bruce joined them again, and they performed the Miss Casey's Medley. After the show, I stayed around for autographs, of course. I waited a few minutes, then got in line. There weren't too many people who stayed to talk to them, so I didn't have to wait long. I got them all to sign Forerunner, which was the only CD I hadn't had them sign. As Claire was signing mine, I mentioned to her that a friend of mine claims to know her really well. I told her who, and she said "Hey I do know him! He's my buddy!", and I told her how I knew him (family friends). While we were talking, Fiona even joined in and said "I know him too! He goes to my school!" (which I knew already
). Anyway, as nervous I had been waiting in line, I found them really easy to talk to, which was nice. After I had got the autographs, I moved away from the table to put my CD back in my purse. I had brought along my camera, just in case I worked up the courage to ask for a picture. I wasn't going to bother, but then my mom mentioned that there were only two more people in line, and that everyone else had left. Working up all the courage I had in me, I did one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever done (just kidding! 
) and timidly approached the table again, asking if they wouldn't mind taking a picture with me. Of course they said yes, and now I have two lovely pictures of me, Joanna, and The Cottars. Once I actually take the time to upload them on the computer, I'll post them.Anyway, the show was great. I think it was probably the best Cottars concert I've seen yet. Bruce and Claire are awesome. Claire has a very impressive vocal range-you could hear her sing harmony very clearly, and confidently. I hope she gets some vocal solos in the future-I'd love to hear more of her singing. Ciaran has completely taken over the humour portions of the show. We all know how much humour Jimmy used to contribute, so now with him gone, Ciaran has to do a lot of it himself, and he does a GREAT job. I was talking to someone I knew at the show, who actually thought he was twenty-five, just from the stage presence and musical ability and overall personality and appearance. Fiona was as good as ever-wowing the crowd with every song she sang, or whistled, or bodhraned (
). I'll say it one more time-AWESOME show!Pictures coming soon!
Cheers,
Ginny
. I heard Fiona sing The Briar and the Rose at the Dublin Irish Festival, and you could hear a pin drop for about four or five seconds after she had finished, and then a standing ovation!!!!! It sent chills up and down my spine!!!!!!!!
....anyway, in case you can't tell who everyone is, from left to right this is Ciaran, Fiona, me, Joanna, Claire, Bruce
Oh well someday I might get to meet some well known people. Blessed be, Jason 22
soory. My glasses are broken right now, so I haven't been able to read as well.