By Paddy McCarthy
Here are two super groups Celtic Woman and Celtic Thunder from Ireland who both have released their latest albums just in time for Christmas.
I have covered both these super performers who sell out every venue in which they perform across the USA and Canada before.
So here is your chance to buy their albums as I said for Christmas, also they would absolutely be a beautiful gift for all your family or friends so now is your chance. The information on both of their zlbums is attached below so hurry up because they will sell out fast.
Celtic Woman returns with a brand-new album and DVD to celebrate an incredible 20-year milestone. Returning to the group is soprano Mairéad Carlin, a former member who joins the show for this very special anniversary.
Joining her are fellow soprano Muirgen O’Mahony, fiddle and Irish harp maestro Tara McNeill, as well as the newest member of the group, the multi-talented Emma Warren, who has toured with Riverdance, Heartbeat of Home and most recently performed in Les Miserables, London.
“20th Anniversary” – the album – features 18 brand new recordings, and is the group’s first new studio album since 2021’s Postcards From Ireland.
It features new arrangements of beautiful and iconic songs, some new compositions and of course some fan favorites.
“20th Anniversary” – the DVD – features 19 songs, plus 2 bonus songs. Filmed in The Helix Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, it takes fans on a journey back to where it all began 20 years ago (and in the very same theatre).
The TV special features appearances from four very special guests – original members Lisa Kelly, Máiréad Nesbitt, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha and Chloë Agnew – who join Celtic Woman for this wonderful TV special packed with emotional and heart stirring performances.
Later this year, PBS will air the accompanying “20th Anniversary” TV special in North America across 60+ local PBS stations.
In the 20 years since the global musical sensation’s debut, Celtic Woman has emerged as both a formidable musical presence and a genuine cultural phenomenon.
The group’s albums and DVD releases have been consistent multi-platinum best-sellers and its concert tours continue to touch the hearts of a devoted audience that spans the globe.
Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman introduces some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians to the world stage.
The group’s repertoire encompasses Irish classics, contemporary songs, classical favorites and stirring originals.
The lineup of performers has evolved in the years since the group’s inception but the signature sound of Celtic Woman has remained consistent, showcasing the members’ individual and collaborative talents.
Celtic Woman is comprised of four young Irish women whose performing skills bring centuries of musical and cultural tradition to life. In concert, their angelic voices and instrumental virtuosity are accompanied by a robust ensemble that includes Irish dancers, bagpipers and a full band playing an array of traditional Celtic instruments, including bodhrán, tin whistle, bouzouki and Uilleann pipes.
Celtic Woman has sold over ten million CDs and DVDs, and amassed more than 3 billion streams, making it the only all-female act to achieve multi-platinum success in the classical crossover and world music genres during the past decade.
Named Billboard’s #1 World Music Artist of the Year six times, 12 of the studio CDs have debuted at #1 on Billboard’s World Album chart.
Celtic Woman has also scored two Top 10 debuts on Billboard’s influential album chart and five Top Five DVDs on Billboard’s Top Video chart, as well as achieving platinum-level sales in nine countries.
Their 2016 album release, “Destiny”, was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best World Music Album, marking the group’s first-ever Grammy nomination. Celtic Woman’s 20th Anniversary Spring Tour is scheduled to begin in Feb 2022.
Following a triumphant 35-city tour across the USA and Canada, the internationally acclaimed musical sensation, Celtic Thunder, is thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated album, “Odyssey.”
Featuring songs inspired by their recent tour, the Celtic Thunder – Odyssey CD hit all streaming platforms in the USA in November.
“Odyssey” embarks on a captivating exploration of Irish music and culture, weaving together the ensemble’s rich history with innovative new sounds.
The album takes listeners on a sweeping journey through traditional Irish music heartlands, the rhythmic beats of contemporary Irish tunes, and original arrangements that define Celtic Thunder’s distinctive sound.
Each member of Celtic Thunder contributes their unique voice and charisma to this musical expedition, creating a harmonious blend that resonates with a diverse audience.
The shared musical chemistry, deeply rooted in their Irish heritage imbues the performance with compelling strength.
“Odyssey” presents a diverse selection of tracks, weaving a rich tapestry of emotional and musical tones.
Audiences will be captivated by the dynamic rendition of “Go Lassie Go,” infusing new life into the traditional folk song with vibrant harmonies and fresh interpretations. “City of Chicago” stands as a poignant tribute to the Irish diaspora, weaving heartfelt lyrics with evocative melodies.
A standout moment is their rendition of “The Parting Glass,” an iconic classic from the annals of Irish music, delivered with profound emotion that reverberates through the soul. The raw vocal interplay creates a deeply moving musical experience, capturing the nostalgia and beauty of this timeless piece.
Exploring introspective territory, “Sailing” is a tender ballad showcasing Celtic Thunder’s ability to convey profound emotions through seamless vocal harmonies and emotionally charged performances.
The Celtic Thunder Band, with their instrumental prowess, adds an authentic and sonically rich backdrop to the vocal performances. Their expert musicianship underscores the music’s Irish roots, ensuring that each song, regardless of genre, is treated with the respect and creativity it deserves.
In essence, “Odyssey” pays homage to Celtic Thunder’s musical legacy while blazing new trails. It’s a compelling journey through time, sound, and culture that educates and entertains.
The captivating fusion of music and storytelling makes “Odyssey” a must-listen release for fans of Celtic Thunder and Irish music enthusiasts alike.
Established in Dublin in 2007, Celtic Thunder has garnered global acclaim for emotionally charged performances and cutting-edge productions. Billboard magazine has awarded them Top World Album Artist five times, solidifying their position as a musical powerhouse.
Now I am going to give you some sad news on another fabulous performer, Shane McGowan the lead singer from the Pogues who passed away in his home in Dublin Ireland, RIP.
Shane had been very sick for a very long time and put up a great fight to try and beat his illness and was just discharged from hospital only a few weeks ago to spend time with family and friends in his own home with his wife the love of his life Victoria Mary Clarke.
I myself have known Shane for a very long time and what a heck of a singer, musician, songwriter and some drinker he was, and also the nicest person you would ever want to meet.
I could go on and on about Shane so I will let you into a bit of history on this great Irish legend.
MacGowan was an English-born Irish musician best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist and songwriter of Celtic punk band the Pogues.
MacGowan’s songs were influenced by Irish history, Irish nationalism, the Irish diaspora, and London life.
Born in Kent, England, to Irish parents, MacGowan joined the punk band the Nipple Erectors before founding the Pogues in 1982.
He drew upon his Irish heritage when founding the Pogues and changed his early punk style to a more traditional sound, with tutoring from his extended family.
Between 1985 and 1987, he co-wrote the Christmas hit single “Fairytale of New York”, which he performed with Kirsty MacColl. Other notable songs he performed with the Pogues include “Dirty Old Town”, “Sally MacLennane” and “The Irish Rover” (featuring the Dubliners).
The 1988 release of the Pogues’ most critically acclaimed album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God, marked the high point of the band’s commercial success.
During a 1991 tour, the Pogues dismissed MacGowan for unprofessional behavior. He subsequently formed a new band, Shane MacGowan and The Popes, with which he recorded two studio albums.
In 2001, MacGowan rejoined the Pogues for reunion shows, remaining with the group until 2014. He also produced solo material and collaborated with artists such as Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, Sinéad O’Connor, and Ronnie Drew.
MacGowan received a 2018 Ivor Novello Inspiration Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following years of deteriorating health, he died of pneumonia in November 2023, aged 65.
Following MacGowan’s death, Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, said: “Shane will be remembered as one of music’s greatest lyricists. So many of his songs would be perfectly crafted poems, if that would not have deprived us of the opportunity to hear him sing them.
“The genius of Shane’s contribution includes the fact that his songs capture within them, as Shane would put it, the measure of our dreams—of so many worlds, and particularly those of love, of the emigrant experience and of facing the challenges of that experience with authenticity and courage, and of living and seeing the sides of life that so many turn away from.”
That was one of Ireland’s greatest talents yes it was Shane McGowan, Rest in Peace.