Celtic Woman, kicking off their phenomenal Believe tour at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center, is an all female musical ensemble performing a range of tunes from Celtic to modern. Originating in Ireland in 2004, conceived by Sharon Browne and David Downes, the show has become an insane success, having toured worldwide and sold over 6 million records worldwide.
The Irish group has been described as “Riverdance for the voice” and is a foot stomping soul surging celebration of Irish music, appearing currently at TPAC to both a cult like following and new fans alike. The audience, made up of people of all ages and considerations, get an evening of lively music, beautiful vocals and even swift footwork from one of the members of the ensemble.
The songs performed include “The Water is Wide”, “Green Grow the Rushes and “A Woman’s Heart”, as well as timeless pop classics like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Sailing”. Also performed are inspirational lovelies like “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Ava Maria”, all made hauntingly beautiful with the Celtic Woman flair, brought about under the insightful direction of Emmy-nominated music producer, Downes. Backing the unbelievable foursome is a six-piece band, the Aontas Choir and a renowned championship Irish dancer.
One of the highlights of the evening is listening to and watching the group’s violin player extroidinaire, Máiréad Nesbitt, who not only performs magic with her singing violin but dances like a sprite in a meadow as she performs. I had the opportunity to ask Mairead a few questions recently and this is how it went:
Linda Brewer: What was the catalyst to make you choose violin over piano as your choice of instrument? Or was that a parental decision?
Máiréad Nesbitt: I played a lot of instruments as a youngster including the piano & violin. I think when I got to college and a little before that in high school, I realized that the violin was my first love! It wasn't a parental thing at all, but the fact that my mother and sister both are great violinists/ fiddlers, rubbed off on me & became a way of higher communication for me with them, other musicians and lovers of music in general.
LB: I read that David Bowie was one of your musical inspirations, how does he influence the music you currently perform?
Máiréad Nesbitt: I just love different types of music, different genres always fascinated me, and David Bowie would definitely be one of those artists. The tone of his voice always held me transfixed, & the way he performs. These artists/composers/creative genius's would indirectly influence me in general, for example. Hendrix, J.S.Bach, Tommy Potts (a traditional Irish fiddler, and a few more including my mother Kathleen Nesbitt, are iconic today), Nigel Kennedy (genius classical violinist), there are just so many! It's great to be able to listen to all these amazing sources of inspiration!
LB: And then, diversely, you also name the wonderful Allison Krauss as an influence; does she influence your current music as well? In a different way than Bowie?
Máiréad Nesbitt: Again, in an indirect way in so far as, I listen to her as she is one of my favorite singers and I love the way she shapes a song and I love the tone of her voice.
LB: [On a personal note (for me), my son is a huge Walt Disney fan, and has a daughter who is into Tinker Bell. Was it a complete honor to play on the Walt Disney Tinkerbell DVD? And how did that come about?
Máiréad Nesbitt: Yes, it was a complete honor to be asked to play on the first two Tinker Bell movies. The Joel McNeely scores are incredible and to be featured on them was amazing. It's wonderful that your son's daughter is into Tinker Bell as I think the character is a great role model in a realistic sense. She has problems that she has to surmount and she is a very interesting, feisty little fairy! She always comes through in the end!
LB: Your dancing as you play the violin is charming and sprite-like, absolutely enchanting! How did you come about that? Have you ever taken dance? Are your steps practiced or simply spur-of-the-moment?
Máiréad Nesbitt: I think every Irish kid dances!! I danced for a little while but then started making up my own steps and it was not the way to win competitions! The movements I do while playing are mainly spur of the moment and only if they work naturally with the music as the music is the most important thing.
LB: What is your next big project?
Máiréad Nesbitt: My next project is Tinker Bell Secret of the Wings. It's the next Tinker Bell movie and I'm really excited about featuring once again on what I'm sure, will be, a beautiful score.
LB: Who would you most love to perform with, dead or alive?
Máiréad Nesbitt: Hendrix! I love the way he improvised!
LB: How did you become part of Celtic Woman?
Máiréad Nesbitt: I was asked by our amazing musical composer, director and arranger David Downes. I had worked with David on other projects and it was really lovely to be asked by him to be a part of Celtic Woman from the very beginning.
LB: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a part of a group of four awe-inspiring, talented women?
Máiréad Nesbitt: I think the most rewarding aspects are that the four of us are completely different and we enhance each other both on and off stage. We are very supportive of each other and are very passionate about what we do. We love bringing our music to people everywhere and I love listening to those beautiful vocals every night!
LB: What do you hope the audience feels, sees and hears, as they watch the upcoming performance at TPAC?
Máiréad Nesbitt: We hope that we can take people on a journey with us on Believe, and that they can leave their worries behind them for the two hours of the show. We hope that we can make them happy and that they will leave dancing and feeling great!
What more can I say, except that I can tell you that if you see the show, and you surely must, you will most likely leave with a dance in your step and a smile on your lips!
Celtic Woman will be performing at TPAC February 3 and 4. Click here for more info.
Knoxville’s Civic Auditorium February 7
Greenville, SC’s BI-LO Center February 8
Atlanta, GA’s Fox Theatre February 9
Birmingham, AL’s BJCC February 11
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