Title - 'Songs From The Heart' (EMI)
Artist - Celtic Woman
'Songs From The Heart' is a good mix of songs from the Isle of Hope concert tour and the Songs From the Heart concert tour. Songs from the Isle of Hope tour that didn't make it into this CD (and didn't have other versions on previous CDs) are: "Have I Told You Lately" "Carolina Rua" and "True Colors".
Songs from the current tour that didn't end up on this CD are: "My Heart Was Home Again" and "Songs from the Heart: Walking The Night/Tabhair Dom Do Lamh". So keep your eyes open for the availability of those in the future!
The concerts also had new versions of "Orinoco Flow" "Danny Boy" "At The Ceili" "Spanish Lady" and "You Raise Me Up." (The Songs From The Heart tour was also supposed to have "Pie Jesu" and "O, America!" but the venue I went to, didn't have those songs, despite being printed in the program. But maybe we'll get a "Pie Jesu" release in the future also.
Regarding the content, after seeing the Isle of Hope concert, I'd have died if "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears" wasn't on this CD so really, the fact that it was rates highly for me. "Fields of Gold" took a while to grow on me because I loved the Eve Cassidy version, but now I really enjoy this one. "Amazing Grace" is a different arrangement than I am used to, but gorgeous. "Nil Se'n La" was fun and peppy.
"My Lagan Love" was available in instrumental form on the net and I loved having the words; Lynn's voice is ethereal. "When You Believe" is a little revival-ish for me (as many of Chloe's songs lately have seemed to be) but she really sings the heck out of it. "The New Ground-Isle of Hope" LOVE IT. Favorite song of the CD.
"The Coast of Galicia" is an instrumental and while good, watching Mairead play adds an extra oomph that is missing from the recording. "Non C'e Piu" was a lovely group number. "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" really showed off Lisa's ability to emote but keep it beautiful. "You'll Be In My Heart" is my least favorite song; Alex seems to overdrive it and force extra feeling in where none is needed.
"Goodnight My Angel" was beautiful with Chloe, Lynn, and Lisa. Chloe had another win with "Galway Bay;" her accent really added another dimension to it. "O, America!" was a nice rousing tune, but seems so contrived to appeal to the older generation that makes up a large part of PBS and Celtic Woman's fanbase.