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  Meav's  lovely  new  album-  "The Calling"  is  available  for pre-order from  Amazon.  Meav just  posted this link  on her Twitter account  earlier today.   Here it is .....     www.smarturl.it/meavthecalling 

Thanks for the review Rachel.   And I still say that pic of you and LL hugging looks like you tackled her to the floor when you hugged her.

If you all follow my fb/twitter you know that I was only home for a week in between Oklahoma, Vegas and San Rafael. I left CA on May 16, spent 1 week in Tulsa with Alexa. Plane was delayed leaving San Francisco, got home around 12:30AM had a 6am flight to make it to Vegas for the double header that day. Ended up over sleeping and missing that flight luckily with prayers and good mechanics I made with an hour to spare :O. Anyways back to Red Rocks, so after all those flights the last week I did not want to fly again plus I couldn’t really afford it. I decided on the train, which I have taken this route the first Symphony tour and made it without hassle so I figured there wouldn’t be a problem right? Well there was a problem A BIG ONE. When we got into Colfax we had lost power and needed to stop and go in order to make it up the summit without overheating. Apparently there was a radiator leakage and we ended up waiting over an hour to get it fixed which ended putting us way behind schedule (4 hours late). Finally got into Denver at 10:30pm on Saturday night (was supposed to get in at 6:30.) thankfully Tink and Coren where already downtown so they where waiting for me when I arrived and we made our way to our in Lakewood. I ended up hanging with Cindy and Jeremy for over an hour until everyone was ready for bed. I didn’t end up getting to sleep till about 2.

I woke up around 7 because my phone kept going off (thanks to twitter) fell back asleep then woke up around 8:30 and headed down to meet Cindy and Donna at breakfast where we later joined by Coren and Tink. After awhile Tink and I joined Donna for a Starbucks run. We went back to the hotel to rest and get ready for the show. Around 2:30 we met up the others at lonestar steakhouse for a nice lunch that would tie us over for the rest of the day. Cindy, Donna and I made a quick stop at Wal-Mart to pick some cards and gift bags for Chloë. We finally arrive at Red Rocks and picked up our tickets at the box office and then found some handicapped parking. We met up with the others and talked and waited for the shuttle bus to come and take us to the amphitheater so we wouldn’t have to walk all those stairs. I rode with Kelly, Annie, Kelly’s husband and Dad. There weren’t enough seats so I was just going to sit on her lap but there was a wheelchair in the middle so I just ended up sitting there. On our way up to the theater we saw Edel walking and starting pounding on the window and waving to her (she must of thought we where crazy) after we got out we saw Dermot and he waved to us. We talked with Edel and Dermot for a couple of min and they loved our birthday shirts for Chloë. We told Dermy not to tell Chloë cause we wanted it to be a surprise. We where approached by a guy working for 303 magazine who wanted to take our picture.  I originally was supposed to have a M&G for this show with Edd but due to family issues he couldn’t make it and due to my recent finical Issue I had to back out of it. Turns out Red Rocks were a special place for more than one reason. It just so happened that someone I knew had an extra pass and invited me to join them into the M&G. I was very grateful that I was able to go to a M&G for my last show, and that I was able to deliver my gifts to Chloë.  I hadn’t told the girls that I was going to be at the M&G so I was excited to see their faces when I went up to them. I was lucky that I was able to get in the back with Mike and Scott. As we where approaching the front I was trying to hide so that the girls would not see me but they ended up finding me and as I was taking a picture Lil Lambe decided to make a funny face in the photo. After giving Michael a gift from Cindy and Donna it was time to talk to the girls. I first went up to Chloë and started handing her all her birthday gifts and she was blown away by all the love, she said she felt like crying. I gave her a huge hug and told her happy birthday. Next was Susan and she said she saw that I was on a train for over 40 hours to get to Denver; she was shocked but glad that I made it safely. I told her it usually takes 30 hours but we got delayed due to engine problems. Máiréad asked how I was doing and I told her that I was glad to be here and off the train. Next was Lisa who always welcomes me lots of hugs, I showed her the pic and she laughed. I also gave her a early birthday gift which was a lil lambe phone case. I gave her lots of hugs from different people and she asked where I was sitting and I said 3rd row center right in front of Mike. She said she would look for me. Michael took two photos of me with everyone and then thanked me for the gift and it was time to go. I found the others and told them all about the M&G and then took my seat next to Patti and Karsten.

Awakening started with lots of energy from both the stage and the audience. I also noticed that there were some CW people towards the left of the stage taking photos of all the people in the audience. One thing I like about Red Rocks is you can see all the cast coming on and off the stage.  Dulaman was amazing as always. The end with Ray and Lisa is always so adorable.  We wanted to use Chloë's speech moment during Nocturne to shout Happy Birthday, but she must have caught on or the audienece was just that amazing that she didn't have do her "Are you all having fun tonight". Chloë under the natural lighting looks  like gorgoeus and not to mention the acoustics sound amazing. Máiréad's Coast of Galicia brought the spins back coming to a total of 10 spins! Also right before Máiréad takes off leaping you could hear Lisa backstage whopping.. I thought that was funny! Susan blew away Caledonia and it was simply stunning The girls were not able to come into the audience for Téir Abhaile Riú but they still had so much fun on stage. I always enjoy watching Chloë push Anto in the piano and to see what "mood" she is in for the night Mo Ghie Mear gave us the chance to finally shout Happy Birthday to Chloë. This brought out a standng ovation and the look on the girls faces just said it all.

Intermission was spent chatting with our neighbors and reminiscing on what we just witnessed. As intermission was ending we could see Anto taking his spot on his rock for Amazing Grace. They had the whole venue singing along with them and it was truly inspirational. The highlight for me tonight was Lisa Lambe's Bridge Over Troubled Water Lisa's voice never sounded as good as I heard it tonight. Everyone kept telling when chloë hit the high notes in When You Believe but tonight when Lisa hit those notes in BOTW there was that amazing echo off the rocks and she even looked shocked. This got the second standing ovation for the night! The duel between Máiréad and Craig was fabulous!! I never know who to watch they bot are so fast! Ave Maria got another standing ovation and a very proud Chloë in tears. Just listening to her sing this song I though back to the first time I ever heard sing it and was very well impressed with how much she has matured into a beautiful young woman. Susan proved that is the voice and that she does belong here!  Máiréad did a very long introduction to You Raise Me Up she called Red Rocks the “best venue in the world!” That got the whole audience yelling and clapping! Tonight had Susan and Lisa wiping there tears away. This was the first show that I felt really emotional in. They were rewarded with a huge ovation. Lisa had to pause before making her speech because of all shouting of "Happy Birthday to Chloë" who was literally shocked on stage. Another standing ovation followed the Parting Glass but no encore finale tonight. Probably to much strain on Máiréad. I was sad that my tour was over but was glad that I got to experience Red Rocks for the first time. And it will most certainly not be the last time. Scott T and I where first to exit the stage so we can go and find the buses to see what kind of "trouble" we can get into. As we where standing waiting I met these two ladies who used to live in Oregon and we started talking about this local coffee place called "dutch brothers" they gave me some new choices for Coffee when I got home. Before we knew it we where joined by the others in our group and we waited to see who would come out. Tonight brought out visits from Edel, Sarah, Dermot and Tommy along with briefer visits from Ewan and Anthony. Cindy and I chatted with Sara for quite awhile. Cindy was telling her about her "Shave My Legs" song which got Sara and Edel laughing. I had mentioned to Sara in OKC that I was also a Celiac and I asked how she was getting along with the food here, she said she wasn't picky and they have been very accommodating for her. I mentioned this app she can download that would help her find places in each area she was in. I finally got my photo with Edel and Sara which I have been waiting for, for quite awhile. I also told Sara that my friend Scott T had been anxiously awaiting to meet her and she stunned that all of us wanted to meet them so much. We told her that they are just important as the girls are. Scott finally got his photo!
Some vans pulled right up to the girls bus so we figured that they were anxious to get going, Lisa was first to enter the bus but not before she pulled out her phone and started kissing her Lil Lambe case that I gave her. As soon as we saw Chloë getting out we all started singing Happy Birthday to her several times before she came over and personally thanked us for making her Birthday so special. Michael came by and offered to take a group picture of Chloë with all of us in Pink.  We later found out the photo was posted onto the CWNA FB page, thanks Michael. Dermot came over and hung out for a couple of minutes which Jeremy had to show off his magic skills and Dermy was impressed. After everyone had came and go we where all starting to get hungry and so we headed out to the local Denny's for one last gathering. It was after 1am when we all headed back to our hotels. I said my last goodbyes to Cindy and Jeremy because I would not be seeing them after tonight because they where moving to Atlanta. I was very sad because Cindy is like a second mother to me, even though we didn't get to see each other a lot it was nice having her close by. I went to sleep around 2:30 and woke up at 6 to drive back to Denver to catch my 8am train to back to CA. Thank God this train was not delayed!!

I just wanted to personally thank the girls for giving up so much of their time to bring us wonderful music!

Lisa: Thank you once again for giving me so much love this tour. There really isn't to many words I can put that shows just how much you mean to me. From the moment you joined CW I knew there was this instant connection. Thank you for taking the time to care and once again for all those messages.
You have helped me when I was struggling with school, asked about how my dancing was and wished me good luck on all my adventures. You are really special to me. Thank you for all the hugs and love on stage. There is only so much one can say without repeating themselves.

Susan: Thank you for coming in and putting a little musical taste into the group. You proved it this tour that you are a CW and that you belong here. You gave me lots of love in San Rafael and I really appreciated it.

Máiréad: There isn't much to say than you ROCK.

Chloë: You have grown so much since joining CW. I have enjoyed watching you evolve on stage. Not only with your voice but growing into a young woman!

PHEW that was long... but it came all from the heart!

The Pink Group


Chloë and birthday crew


Nothing like a LL hug



 

Yes Kimberly, Chloe sang the first part.

So it turns out that Chloe sings the first part of "She Moved Through the Fair".

Hello

Sorry no song by song review Mike will post one soon

Rather then write 2 reviews I figured I would give you all a 2 for one deal half the read half the price hehe.

We bought Wolf Trap tickets when they went on sale in december I got 1 pit seat and 2 in row e. Scott got a seat in the middle row m still a great seat. With Walter's broken leg and Scott being sick this trip was not all that fun to start off with. We had to park in the lot behind the venue in order that Walter could be seated easy. We arrive with my brother Paul also attending. Soon after we spot Mike he's waiting for Don who has a new fiddler crossing shirt for him cool .Mike goes back to the upper lot to distribute some tickets. We enter the venue the we spot Kim's dad we talk for a bit and some more at the edge of the lawn before they let us in. It was nice to see Kim and her parents again its been awhile. Scott was getting sicker I was wondering if we might have to leave.

He stuck it out and we did see the show. Tonight's show they used the house sound this is normal at wolf trap they have one of the best sound systems in the country. This was a return to where I first saw Celtic woman Live in 2007 and show 35 like the first time it was fantastic Chloe spotted me very quick and gave me a wave that was so cute to my amazement she also spotted Scott in row m wow great eyes she has.

First off tonight Mairead was on fire! The girls and the band played one heck of a show. With no real pit access the girls were in the front orchestra section for TAR  I turned around o see this The crowd was incredible it was a packed house the lawn was full to some pit seats were empty scalper seats don't get me started on that!!.

I'm not going to do a song for song review Mike does a good enough job I don't need to do that. a overview this was one of the best shows I've seen this tour it was electric they enjoyed i as much as we did you could tell. I was nice to see everyone again and Don great job with that shirt.

leaving Wolf trap is always tricky


Sunday Scott was going to buy one of Mike's extra tickets but he still felt bad so he didn't go. We make our trip north in good time and stop to grab a quick bite. I call Mike he listened to sound check from the hill( we did that in 09 and 2010 to) well I didn't make that. We arrive and ran into problems with the venue parking people first off the made me come in the other way only 6 feet down rather than move a cone and just let me in. I Figured after talking to them in the morning they would park us close. But no the made me drop Walter off and drive way down the hill to park. the lot people at the Mann Center are disorganized complete opposite from Wolf Trap go figure.

We wait a half hour till 6 to get in it starts to rain rats. They let us in and we make for what ever cover we can find. About 10 min later I noticed people disappearing and they weren't going up the hill for dinner either. So I took a walk and noticed people sitting in the venue and ask if they were seating early yes they were ( note the venue staff and the parking lot staff night and day they were helpful ) They gave us and option to leave Walter in a section in the rear of orchestra a we chose to seat him in his seat its better.

I'm seated in row g no pit tonight oh well I was 3 seats from the end at one point the 2 end seats had no takers so i moved over. Well thought that might work but Chloe sat on lap of the guy in front of me I'm 0 for 2 hehe. I was seaed next to Bob H who I had never met he was a lot of fun also the lady in front of me was from PBS39 she knew mike and myself we bought tickets from them in 2010.A few quick notes this show was louder than Friday's show they used the sound reinforcement speakers tonight. Also the Mann is a bit larger than Wolf Trap but it wasn't sold out the whole back section was empty no balcony seats used or lawn either maybe the short sell time. with only a few draw backs it was still a great show and a fantastic way to end the tour. 2 great nights were had by all and Mike had a little to much fun. Like Wolf Trap this was my 3rd time here for CW and always fantastic see everyone next year I hope

Oh one other thing cute but not funny for this guy a Man came down after the show and said its time to go to the meet and greet I had to break it to him it was before the show ooops it pays to read the fine print

Dave

Doubtlessly, she did share some songs with Chloe such as "Vincent/Starry, Starry Night" and "She Moved Through the Fair".

Even in Powerpoint?

So it turns out that during the musical number called "She Moved Through the Fair", Chloe sang the first part?

Scott, thanks for the review.  It was great seeing you again and having yet another great concert experience.  If all goes well, see you for Symphony!