Celtic Thunder Concert

Okay, I know, I know, it’s Celtic Thunder again, & again, & again. But this is different. I actually went to Everett WA last Friday, October 30, 2010 & saw them in person. OMG!!! Talk about chills, thrills, shivers, & all kind of good feelings running thru me each time one of the lads came up to sing or even when they all sang together as a group. I know this is going to be a long post so I’ve tried to break it up into sections for you to make it an easier read.

Act I

The Irish song portion was fantastic. I luved it when they did a little jig when they were singing. The Irish songs they sang were “Heartland sung by the group; Buachaill On Eirne by Damian; The Dutchman by Keith; Black Is The Colour by Ryan; Home From The Sea by the group. Other group numbers were; Just A Song At Twilight by Paul & Damian;

—now this is funny, Damian was wearing a white tie & it was long. He was sitting on the step & the lady on my left elbowed me & asked if I thought Damian ripped his pants when he sat down. I looked at his crotch & gasped, I hope not. I elbowed Melissa, she looked, we all looked again & again—because there was this white area that looked like a big rip in his trousers showing his underwear. After staring at his crotch area for awhile—& I think all three of us came to the same conclusion about the same time that it was his long white tie hanging between his legs—giving the appearance of ripped trousers. 

Oh, now back to the song list—Belfast Polka by the band; Noirin Mó Stoirin sung by Neil; Skye Boat Song by George; Red Red Rose by Paul; Whisky In The Jar by Keith & Neil, & A Place In The Choir by the group. Man-O-Man. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this. I yelled, I hollered, I screamed, I waved my arms, I clapped my hands, and made comments about the performances. All I know is that I want to go again. Our seating was on the floor, row 26, seats 19 & 20. Next time I want to be closer to my Lads!!!

Act II

The Lads perform songs from their latest show “That’s Entertainment. All my Lads did really well with their songs.

Review: Paul Byrom’s Performance

When Paul came out and sang “Sway” I had to take back everything I said about his version of “Sway”. It’s just so much more mahhhhvelooous when I’m sitting there & seeing him in person. Listening to him sing the song on a CD is just not the same thing!!! I don’t know how Paul did this—to remember the words to the song, sing the song, lean the floor mike back & forth with one hand, caress the mike with the other hand, sway his body in time to the music, & then give the audience smoldering looks with his eyes, what a performance!!! He was doing all kinds of sexy things to that microphone that should be illegal on stage & that he should be doing to me—I just didn’t know that Paul could be so “sexified”
OOPS!!! I have officially turned into a “Dirty Old Lady” now when I commented “He can caress me like that anytime.” The woman sitting on my left told me I heard that.

Some of theThunder Heads have “tweeted” Paul wondering why Sharon won’t release the video of him singing “Sway.” Paul wrote on Twitter saying the comments he was getting about Sway were to hot to handle, & said they were getting to be PG18. I tweeted back & told him I couldn’t write my comment because he would have to go to “X-Rated!!! My-O-My I’m still in heaven! Paul also sang the “Doo Waka Doo” number & he out did himself again—. How can Paul go wrong when he wears a Tux with tails, and a top hat & twirls that cane, & dances while singing. The audience went wild. I know I did. When he was through I yelled out “Paul, my sister says you steal the show with that number”. I think I heard Melissa concur.

Review: Ryan Kelly's Performance

Yes, yes I know my favorite is Ryan & I’ve rambled on and on about Paul’s sexified performance, and I lead off this posting with Paul, but that doesn’t mean Ryan wasn’t as good. The stage lights were dimmed, but I knew immediately when he stepped on to the stage at the very beginning. Shivers ran through my body when he took his “spread-legged-stance.” I screamed out, “There’s Ryan, it’s Ryan, there’s my favourite.” OMG, he just looked soooooo handsome—I can’t help getting those shivers running through my body again--knowing he came on the stage. That sexy-raspiness of his voice when hes sings--I think is the 8th Wonder of the World. Now that’s just my opinion & I know you’re allowed your own, BUT you better not disagree with me to my face or...or I don’t know what right now. I love the song “Everything I Do”—yes I know Ryan, you do it for me & only me—I don’t care what the other fans think--

HE'S MINE, MINE, MINE AND ONLY MINE!!! 

When "It’s Entertainment” was filmed in Canada, I read that the men who performed back up with Ryan in “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” were Canadians who auditioned & were hired to do that number with him. He did not sing “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown this time.
In this performance he sang, “Viva La Vida” which is a new song for me to hear, & it was really wonderful. But then again Ryan could sing to me from a set of encyclopedias & I would luv it.

Review: Damian McGinty’s Performance

Damian had no girls for him to watch when he sang “Standing On The Corner.” I know that when they are touring they must be limited as to who gets to come along.  

Just a little blurb here from Damian, he tweeted that he took stage & began to sing Standing on the cornor...OH NO!!! He said he just forgot the words. He didn't say what he did until he remembered what came next. He said I've been singing since almost age nothing & have never, never forgotten the words to a song!! 

His other song “Home” was performed well, too. He’s gotten so tall from when he started out. He’s almost as tall as George. And his voice is so deep now. My friend Melissa & I were trying to figure out which was deeper, baritone or bass. I was going to look it up, but haven’t yet. I mention this only because in the program I think it read that his voice was now baritone, when in the Christmas CD blurb it was printed that they didn’t know that Damian’s voice was going to go bass—or something like that. I’m not getting out the CD to read it & quote it verbatim. He tweeted on his birthday on Twitter that (not precisely, now) today’s my birthday, I’m 18, I’m an adult now. LOL!! When I turned 18 I don’t think I knew I was an adult—but then again I’m not a performer like him & have been doing gigs since I was young. It was sooooo much fun to sit in an audience of CT fans & hear them scream, whistle, get excited as I did yelling for their favourite or just because we all love Celtic Thunder!!!

Review: Keith Harkin’s Performance

Keith, we discovered has long, long, long, legs. The lady sitting to my left noted this & whispered it to me & I whispered it to Melissa. So we all took a good-long-look at his long legs.

Keith reported on Twitter, a day before the concert that he was in the hospital in the emergency section & sat & sat & the stupid doctors took a long time to get to him (not sure if it was in Oregon or if they had crossed over into Washington, he did not specify where). Some fans reported it was his hand, others his little finger, others his wrist. I think it was his wrist.

But he still performed “Surfer Melody” and sang & played his guitar. He wore his green suit, he says he loves his green suit & it's his, not wardrobe. But I don’t think he & Neil did that guitar duet together. His other song “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” was really, really wonderful. But then again Keith is one of my favourites. He got to do some surfing when they were in San Francisco. He tweeted that he needed to get back in touch with nature. I’m happy for him that he got his wish. He just looks soooo handsome in person, I love his blond hair & dimples. BTW, Keith changed his hair do. Now he has a more sophisticated look. I’m all for change, some fans don’t like it & told him so. At first when I saw him on TV promoting this tour I wondered who he was, then my mouth fell open when I realized it was him. Well I’ve become used to—sorta —to this new Keith look & I’m liking this new look!!! But I've noticed that he's letting his hair grow long again & wearing it as before.

Review: George Donaldson’s Performance

George, George, George, my big hunky Scotsman. I love that bald head, and I can't say here what I would like to do with it, you’ll just have to use your imagination. He sang; “Hello Again” & “Life Without You”—oh my goodness, George, I can’t imagine a life without you anymore. And to think you were working in a factory & performing whenever you could get a gig in now & then. I’m sure happy you auditioned for Celtic Thunder & were chosen. You add so much to the group & I like the way they let you lead the rest of the Lads out on to the stage when you sing group songs. Makes me sorta feel like you’re the leader. Now it’s not that there’s nothing to say about George’s performance, it’s just you’ll get tired of me telling you how handsome the Lads are and how well they performed. My seat mate to my left & her son & wished he could have sung 500 miles, but that song was in the last show. It’s a good thing he didn’t because as it was, Melissa whispered to me, that’s enough waving of your arm now Fostine. She followed up with sometimes I’ll clap my one hand on my knee. Well what did I do? I used my right arm to clap on my left knee—smart huh—NOT. When George left the stage, I screamed out, “you’re my big hunky Scotsman!!!”

Review: Neil Byrne’s Performance

And last but not least, my Neil Byrne. My goodness, such a versatile performer. Lead guitar player, plays the drums, singer, performer. Sigh, sigh, sigh & shivers, shivers, total body shivers. Phil Coulter wrote a special song for him to sing in this tour called, “Noirin Mó Stoirin” Ooooooohhh his beautiful voice & that song just meld together to make gorgeous sounds. Many of Neil’s fans wanted to know more about the song so he replied in his facebook page. Here’s the link Neil shared on Twitter about the song.

http://www.neilbyrnemusic.com/2010/10/noirin-mo-stoirin/

I wish Neil could have sung “When You Wish Upon A Star” I play that song over & over & over. I just sigh (I know, you’re getting tired of me saying sigh, but I just looked up synonyms for it & can’t find any I like. So if you want to comment on a synonym for me I’d appreciate. You know I am trying to keep this from being “X-rated.” I just love looking at Neil in his kilt when he’s working in the band. He changed into his Armani suit when he did “Hallelujah” with Ryan & Keith. Faint away, I could just faint & slide off my chair on to the floor….My three favourite Lads on the stage together, singing--their voices blending so well. Looking sooooooo resplendant . The lady sitting on my left whispered to me I hope they don't have to carry you out, I was so excited. I told Melissa I made sure I brought my medical card in my wallet & I used my Advair inhaler.

Review: Closing Song

When my Lads came out on stage in their Kilts my heart beat so fast, I knew in my head it was the last song of the show coming up. They sang “Ireland’s Call” I just love that song. And their legs—I love looking at their handsome legs. I do luv a man in a kilt. Especially these Celtic Thunder Men in their kilts. Is it possible that when thousands of men who auditioned for this job that these 5 were picked. In the song book I bought they described Ryan as the typical Irish male. Now tell me if he is, the typical Irish male are there no unhandsome men in Ireland? I’m telling you I think I’m almost ready to move to Ireland. You know I do have roots on my Dad’s side that go back to Dublin Ireland. When the Lads turned their backs to the audience & then turned back around & swirled their kilts—screams emanated from the audience—I screamed swirl those kilts, swirl those kilts Lads.Paul really swirled his kilt & “I saw London, I saw France, I saw Paul’s Thunder Pants!!!” & you know what? They were “tidy whitties.” I forgot, I keep telling everyone, I saw six good looking Celtic butts when my Lads had their backside to the audience.I think I’m getting all hot all over again just writing about it.

Stunned

When the song was over & the lads exited the stage & when the people started leaving the arena—I wondered what was going on. I couldn’t get it through my head that the concert was over. I stood there stunned. The lady on my left, asked me if it was over. Finally it got through my head that it was . I still want more!!! Can anyone fault me for wanting more? I can’t repeat it enough that this was a wonderful experience for me. I very happy that I got brave enough to call about tickets & I’m very very happy that my friend Melissa was able to join me. She helped me be brave enough to do this whole trip.

When we left the staging area & walked to the elevator, there was a group of people all ready there. We all waited & waited. Finally a young man asked “did anyone push the down button?” Everyone assured him they did. We waited & waited some more. Finally the young man asked his elderly grandmother if she thought she could do one flight of stairs. She said she thought she could. Then he said, “this is silly, as soon as we leave the elevator will come.” So they came back to wait. Others left to use the stairs. Then the young man said maybe we just need to sing it down. So I told him if he started a song we’d all join in. He started singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” & we all joined in and by golly by gum here comes the elevator. Well we finished the song inside the elevator & the grandmother told me I had a good singing voice. MOI??? I thanked her, but I’m sure I can't carry a tune in a bucket. But maybe, just maybe, some of the essence of Celtic Thunder surrounded me & helped me sing the elevator down, too.

Oh another tidbit here, the older lady sitting in the row in front of me turned around & asked me if I could stop screaming so much. She said she had one bad ear & my screaming was irritating it. I just looked at her & said Lady this is a music concert—a Celtic Thunder concert—what did you expect when you came here? If you have a bad ear, maybe you should have brought some ear plugs. I told her my friend Melissa wasn’t sure how loud things were going to get so she brought earplugs. My seat mate on my left hard the lady complaining to me & told me what a rude lady she was. There was no way I wasn’t going to stop & not enjoy myself at my first concert. If I wanted to scream & holler I will, by dag gum I will & I’ll enjoy every last minute of this concert—So There!!! I think I'm a late bloomer.

One last tidbit & it’s what my sister told me I should do when the Lads come out in there kilts. She said I should get up out of my seat & roll down the aisle until I was right at the stage so I could peek up & look under the Lads kilts!!! OMG—I mentioned it to the lady on my left & we just laughed & laughed. Watch out, crazy old lady rolling down the aisle!! LOL!!! What could the show management do—escort me out—it’s the end of the show!!

Oh, oh, I didn't even mention the Pre-show Dinner Package which you get all of the following:
    -Dinner Buffet (menu listed below)
    -Entertainment
    -Prize giveaways
    -Private entrance to event
    -No Service Charges
    -Access to VIP Club Lounge at intermission
    -One (1) parking pass per two (2) dinners

Dinner Buffet Menu:
    -Baked Salmon with Tomato Hollandaise Sauce
    -Chef Carved Honey Orange Baked Ham with Roasted Pineapple Salsa
    -Rice Pilaf with Garden Vegetables
    -Mixed Greens with Smoked Bacon and Egg tossed in a Honey Cider Vinagrette
    -Dill Glazed Carrots
    -Assorted Rolls and Butter
    -Assorted Cakes and Pies
    -Cash Bar
    -One complimentary beverage

It was a lot of fun to attend this dinner. Melissa and I were seated at table four. I hate to keep saying how much fun it was to be in this dining hall & be seated with other CT fans. I chatted with the other fans seated at the table.I'm glad I decided to include this package along with the concert.

We Pulled An Overnighter

We decided to spend the night in Everett. Melissa’s husband suggested it, so she wouldn’t be driving in the dark after we get off the ferry in Kingston—she mentioned it to me, I said I gave it some thought, too. I booked us in to the Holiday Inn. The Comcast Arena in Everett worked in conjunction with the Holiday Inn to have a block of rooms set aside for concert people. By mentioning this, I got the Comcast Arena discount on the room. It was a lot of fun to spend the night with Melissa. When we got back to the hotel we asked about room service. The desk clerk said it was “iffy” because the kitchen makes up so much & as the supply dwindles in the night the selection get slim. She also suggested ordering out, Chinese or Pizza and that's as far as we let her go. PIZZA. Yes we ordered pizza & Pepsi. Boy oh boy was it a good after concert snack. When we ate as much as we could we turned off the lights, drifted off  to our beds, and had nice girl talk before our eyes tired & we wound down enough to sleep.

Well my kitties, my luvs, my peeps, I suppose I could write more things about this great adventure I could go go on, but I think this is enough. All in all I really enjoyed myself & I’m ready to do it again lots of fun and good craic!!! It was a Thunderiffic outing, too!!! I’m pretty tired so I’m going to get ready for bed and have good dreams for a long long time. Good night now.

       —Glory Oskie Zero, I wish today were tomorrow, luv Fostine.