Celtic Woman Announces New Album, Live DVD, Tour

Courtesy: Manhattan Records/Blue Note Records

Music phenomenon Celtic Woman returns this Winter in a big way.  The four-piece will release a new album and DVD titled Emerald: Musical Gems Tuesday February 25^th.  The new album and DVD will be released via Manhattan Records.  The dual release is a greatest hits package from the quartet includes hits such as ‘Mo Ghile Mear’, ‘Dulaman’, ‘She Moves Through The Fair’, ‘Caladonia’ and its own take on the timeless classic ‘Danny Boy’ among many more.  Fans can also look forward to the group’s new takes on ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘You Raise Me Up’ on the new dual release.  The combo release can be pre-ordered now online via Amazon and Target at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HF95OMI?tag=smarturl-20 and http://www.target.com/p/celtic-woman-emerald-musical-gems-only-at-target/-/A-15141298 respectively.  The track listing for both the CD and DVD are available below.

ALBUM TRACKLISTING:

1.     Mo Ghile Mear

2.     Dúlaman

3.     Caladonia

4.     Amazing Grace

5.     The New Ground

6.     She Moved Through The Fair

7.     Bridge Over Troubled Water

8.     Níl Sé’n Lá

9.     Danny Boy

10.   The Voice

11.   The Parting Glass

12.   You Raise Me Up

DVD TRACKLISTING:

1.     AWAKENING

2.     DULAMAN

3.     NOCTURNE

4.     TEIR ABHAILE RIU

5.     COAST OF GALICIA

6.     DANNY BOY

7.     MO GHILE MEAR

8.     AMAZING GRACE

9.     SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR

10.   NIL SE’N LA

11.   SHENANDOAH-DANCER

12.   THE VOICE

13.   YOU RAISE ME UP

14.   PARTING GLASS

15.   CELTIC WOMAN PLAYOFF

BONUS

1.     CALEDONIA

2.     BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED

3.     AVE MARIA

 

Emerald: Musical Gems is not all that fans of Celtic Woman have to anticipate this year.  The group will follow up its upcoming dual release with a new PBS special, too.  The trailer for that special can be viewed online via YouTube now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIzXDygc1Qk.

Celtic Woman’s upcoming live DVD, EMERALD: Musical Gems – Live in Concert was recorded in 2013 in South Bend, IL, the home of the University of Notre Dame.  The production was recorded under the direction of Emmy® Award-winning music producer David Downes.  Downes previously served as music director for the famed Irish dance phenomenon Riverdance.

Downes discussed the new release in a recent interview.  He explained what the opportunity meant for him and what it will mean for Celtic Woman’s fans.  “Creating the new show allowed me the opportunity to revisit and re-imagine some of our most popular Irish songs, as well as writing some exciting new material for the show” said Downes.  “With all-new performances of these great songs—Emerald has created a whole new experience for both our longstanding fans, and for those who have just discovered our music. This is a Celtic Woman experience that will soothe the soul and have you dancing in the aisles!”

In coordination with the new releases and PBS special, Celtic Woman also has announced details for a seventy-five date North American tour that will run from February 14^th – June 3^rd.  The tour includes a trio of dates in North Carolina.  The first of those dates sees Celtic Woman perform at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, March 6^th.  From there, Celtic Woman will move on to perform at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina on Friday, March 7^th and the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) on Saturday, March 8^th.

The complete tour schedule is listed below.

CELTIC WOMAN   —   2014 THE EMERALD TOUR

14-Feb	Nashville, TN	Tennessee Performing Arts Center
15-Feb	Nashville, TN	Tennessee Performing Arts Center
16-Feb	Huntsville, AL	Von Braun Center
18-Feb	Montgomery, AL	Montgomery Performing Arts Centre
20-Feb	Macon, GA	Macon City Auditorium
21-Feb	Pensacola, FL	Saenger Theatre
22-Feb	Clearwater, FL	Ruth Eckerd Hall
23-Feb	Melbourne, FL	Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
25-Feb	Lakeland, FL	Lakeland Center
27-Feb	Daytona, FL	Peabody Auditorium
28-Feb	Jacksonville, FL	Times-Union Center For The Performing Arts
1-Mar	Gainesville, FL	Curtis M. Phillips Center
2-Mar	Columbia, SC	Township Auditorium
4-Mar	N. Charleston, SC	North Charleston Performing Arts Center
6-Mar	Charlotte, NC	Ovens Auditorium
7-Mar	Asheville, NC	Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
8-Mar	Durham, NC	Durham Performing Arts Center
9-Mar	Roanoke, VA	Roanoke Civic Center
11-Mar	Richmond, KY	EKU Center For The Arts
13-Mar	Elizabeth, IN	The Showroom At Horseshoe Southern Indiana
14-Mar	St. Louis MO	Fox Theatre
15-Mar	Green Bay, WI	Weidner Center for the Performing Arts
17-Mar	St. Paul, MN	Xcel Energy Center
19-Mar	Saskatoon, SK	TCU Place – Sid Buckwold Theatre
21-Mar	Edmonton, ON	Edmonton Expo Centre
22-Mar	Calgary, AB	Jack Singer Concert Hall
23-Mar	Abbotsford, BC	Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre
25-Mar	Everett, WA	Comcast Arena at Everett
26-Mar	Eugene, OR	Hult Center for the Performing Arts
28-Mar	Sacramento, CA	Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
29-Mar	Oakland, CA	Paramount Theatre
30-Mar	Ontario, CA	Citizens Business Bank Arena
31-Mar	San Diego, CA	San Diego Symphony Hall
1-Apr	Costa Mesa, CA	Segerstrom Center for the Arts
7-Apr	Tucson, AZ	Tucson Music Hall
8-Apr	Tempe, AZ	ASU Gammage Auditorium
9-Apr	Albuquerque, NM	Popejoy Hall
10-Apr	El Paso, TX	Plaza Theatre
13-Apr	Houston, TX	Hobby Center
14-Apr	Corpus Christi, TX	American Bank Center – Selena Auditorium
15-Apr	San Antonio, TX	Majestic Theatre
17-Apr	Tulsa, OK	Mabee Center
19-Apr	Denver, CO	The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
22-Apr	Greeley CO	Union Colony Civic Center – Monfort Concert Hall
23-Apr	Cheyenne, WY	Cheyenne Civic Center Performing Arts Theatre
24-Apr	Colorado Springs, CO	Pikes Peak Center
26-Apr	Lawrence, KS	Lied Center of Kansas
27-Apr	Sioux City, IA	Orpheum Theatre
29-Apr	Duluth, MN	Symphony Hall
1-May	Rockford, IL	Coronado Performing Arts Center
2-May	Peoria, IL	Peoria Civic Center
3-May	Milwaukee, WI	Riverside Theater
6-May	Evansville, IN	The Centre
8-May	Detroit, MI	Fox Theatre
9-May	Ann Arbor, MI	Michigan Theater
10-May	Saginaw, MI	The Dow Event Center – The Heritage Theater
11-May	Columbus, OH	Palace Theatre
13-May	Cincinnati, OH	Aronoff Center for the Arts
14-May	Akron, OH	Akron Civic Theatre
17-May	Pittsburgh, PA	The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
18-May	Dayton, OH	Schuster Performing Arts Center
20-May	Williamsport, PA	Community Arts Center
21-May	New York, NY	Radio City Music Hall
22-May	Washington, DC	Warner Theatre
27-May	Baltimore, MD	The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
29-May	Burlington, VT	Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
30-May	Bangor, ME	Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
3-Jun	Albany, NY	Palace Theatre
5-Jun	Red Bank, NJ	Count Basie Theater
6-Jun	Red Bank, NJ	Count Basie Theater
7-Jun	Lancaster, PA	American Music Theater

 

More information on Celtic Woman’s upcoming CD/DVD, PBS special, tour and more is available online at http://celticwoman.com, http://www.facebook.comcelticwoman and http://twitter.com/Celtic_Woman.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN’s Annual “Jimmy V. Week For Cancer Research” Begins Today

Courtesy: ESPN

Today, December 3^rd, is an important day in the sports world.  The reason for the day’s importance is that it begins the annual “Jimmy V. Week for Cancer Research.”  It all kicks off tonight with a simulcast of beloved former NC State coach Jim Valvano’s  famed 1993 ESPYs speech across the ESPN family of networks.  It will also run on the ABC SuperSign in New York’s Times Square.  Good Morning America host and winner of the 2013 Arthur Ashe Courage Award, Robin Roberts, will introduce the simulcast.

Roberts and a handful of athletes, coaches, celebrities and ESPN faces will share Valvano’s words through public service announcements.  The announcements in question and “Jimmy V Week” content will air on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, NBA on ESPN games, and college football games on ABC.

The week-long memoriam wraps up with the “Jimmy V. Women’s and Men’s Basketball Classics Presented by Corona.”  The games will be broadcast Tuesday, December 17^th at 7pm ET on ESPN2.  Number 1 Connecticut will face off against Number 2 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina on the Women’s side.  On the men’s side, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati will take to the hard court at 7pm ET.  That game will be followed up by a matchup of Number 16 Florida and Number 11 Memphis at 9:30 ET.  Both games will run on ESPN and ESPN Radio live from Madison Square Garden.

The “Jimmy V. Week for Cancer Research” raised $1.6 million in 2012.  Last year’s success brings the fundraising effort’s six-year total to more than $6.5 million.  More information on this and more from ESPN is available online at http://www.espn.com and http://www.facebook.com/ESPN.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Pixies Announce New Tour Dates, Music Video

Photo Credit: Michael Halsband

The road rolls on for veteran rock group, The Pixies.  The Boston based quartet has announced that it has added a new North American leg to its current worldwide tour.  The thirty-three date tour will kick off on January 15^th in Toronto, Ontario Canada.  From there, the band will hit a number of dates in the Northeast before heading south to finish off the month of January.  It will close out January with a performance at the famed Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) in Durham, North Carolina on January 31^st.  It will kick off the month of February by heading west to the mountains of North Carolina and a performance in Asheville, NC on February 1^st.  That performance will be at Asheville’s Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.  Cults will provide support for both performances.

The remainder of February will see the Pixies perform at dates in the Midwest, West Coast, and Southwest.  It all wraps up on March 1^st with a performance at the Austin Music Hall in Austin, TX.  Tickets for this and other shows are available online at http://www.pixiesmusic.com.

Along with the upcoming U.S. tour, Pixies fans have a new video from the band to check out, too.  The band has debuted the video for ‘Andro Queen’, the opening track from the band’s new EP, EP-1.  The video was created and directed by filmmaker Ondi Timoner through her Interloper Films production company.  Timoner’s resume is quite extensive.  She has won the Grand Jury prize for documentaries at the Sundance Film Festival twice and has work permanently displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.  She was also the creative force behind VH-1’s series, Sound Effects.  These aren’t her only credentials.  She also crafted the opening film for President Clinton’s 2011 birthday/fundraiser at the Hollywood Bowl.  That even featured celebrities such as: Steven Spielberg, Barbara Streisand, Jay-Z, and President Clinton himself.  She even has her hands in the online world.  She is the founder and director of the web-channel, “A Total Disruption.”  This channel features the works of other ingenious individuals and business people that use technology to transform lives, the economy, and the path of mankind.

More information on the band’s upcoming U.S. tour and its new EP, EP-1, is available online at http://www.pixiesmusic.com, http://www.facebook.com/pixiesofficial, http://www.myspace.com/pixies, and http://twitter.com/pixies.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Bombadil’s New LP An Indie Record Done Right

Courtesy: Ramseur Records

The new upcoming album from Durham, NC based indie act Bombadil is everything that an indie record should be.  This thirteen-track record is subtle but catchy without coming across as being too proud of itself.  The four-piece engages its listeners with ease on its opener, ‘Angeline’, and keeps their ears throughout the album’s remaining songs.  The music alone, with its poppy vibe is sure to be an instant hit with fans.  Its hip-hop style beat mixed with its piano runs and equally impressive vocals make it a fitting opener for the band’s return.  It would be no surprise if it becomes a favorite among college radio programmers across the country.  That is to say it is sure to be a hit among programmers that give the song (and album) a chance.

Having made quite the first impression with the opener to its new album, the band surprises listeners on that song’s follow-up with a song that is the polar opposite to its opener in ‘Learning to Let Go.’ The addition of a horn section to this more pop-rock oriented song gives a feel that no other band out there has even begun to consider.  The music of this song is interesting in its own right.  What really makes it interesting is the contrast of its music to its lyrics.  This is another song centered on the standard topic of relationships.  This song sees the band singing about…well…letting go, plain and simple.  Typically, such a concept is accompanied by more somber sounds in most popular songs.  Bombadil’s members took the road less travelled here, opting instead for something more upbeat and optimistic.  Because of that, it is another song that is sure to impress any listener.

Bombadil surprised early on with the second song on its new album.  The surprises don’t stop there.  From the more poppy sounds of the album’s first two tracks, the band goes in more of a country direction on the album’s third song, ‘Born at Five.’  As with the album’s opener, this song’s lyrics and its music come together to make it another impressive addition to this new album.  On the upper-most surface level, it is classic country at its purist form.  It’s a story about a man’s life, from what can be inferred through the song from his birth to old age and everything in-between.  The simple use of nothing but a guitar, banjo, drums, vocals, piano, and minimalist electronics works with the song’s lyrics to make it such a beautiful song.  Even those that aren’t fans of country and bluegrass will find themselves enjoying this song and openly admitting it, too. That in itself is quite the statement.  Purist country fans on the other hand, will be gladly and openly admit how the joy brought about by the quartet.

Metrics of Affection’s opening trio of tracks is an impressive re-introduction to the band for long-time fans.  It’s just as impressive for those that are first time listeners to the band’s music.  These three songs are just the starting point for the band on this new record.  It continues to reshape its sound from one song to another throughout its remaining ten tracks.  The constant change of styles keeps listeners engaged straight through to the final fading moments of the album’s closer, ‘Thank You.’  Each one of those remaining songs has so much emotional depth both musically and lyrically.  A prime example of this is the full on-instrumental that is ‘Patience is Expensive.’  This beautiful solo piano piece is certain to move some listeners to tears.  That’s all.  The crescendos and decrescendos swell and fall in just the right spots, adding so much emotion to the song.  It’s just one more of so many examples of the impressive work crafted in this record that audiences will enjoy when they pick up the album on Tuesday, July 23^rd.  It can be ordered online at the band’s website, http://www.bombadilmusic.com/.

The band has a handful of dates across North Carolina on its current tour including its upcoming performance on the coastal town of Corolla this Sunday, July 14^th at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room.  The band’s other North Carolina dates and full tour schedule is available online now at the band’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/wearebombadil.  Fans can also “Like” the band’s Facebook page to keep up with all of the latest news and more from Bombadil and its members.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Satriani Announces Complete U.S. Tour Schedule

Photo Credit: Daniel Robert Dinu–ConcertPhotography.ro

Joe Satriani has officially announced the schedule for his upcoming U.S. tour in support of his new album, Unstoppable Momentum.  The tour kicks off August 29^th in San Diego, California.  Satch will be joined by the Steve Morse Band on the tour up until October 3^rd at the State Theatre in Portland, Maine.  Fans in North Carolina will be happy to know that Satriani will be making a stop in the “Old North State” as part of his tour.  He will perform at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, North Carolina on Tuesday, September 24^th.  Presale tickets for that concert will be available this Wednesday, June 5^th.  Fans can order presale tickets online via the official Joe Satriani website at http://www.satriani.com/road/.

The complete listing of Joe Satriani’s U.S. tour is available below.

Joe Satriani’s Unstoppable Momentum Tour Itinerary (* featuring Steve Morse Band as support thru Portland, ME):

August 29            Balboa Theatre                                           San Diego, CA *

August 30            Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort     Las Vegas, NV *

August 31            Orpheum Theatre                                             Los Angeles, CA *

September 1      Talking Stick Resort Ballroom                          Scottsdale, AZ *

September 2      Kiva Auditorium                                                Albuquerque, NM *

September 4      Historic Paramount Theatre                                        Denver, CO *

September 5      Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center                     Midland, TX *

September 6      Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie                               Grand Prairie, TX *

September 7      House of Blues                                                                  Houston, TX *

September 8      Austin City Limits – Moody Theatre                         Austin, TX *

September 10   House of Blues                                                                  New Orleans, LA *

September 11   Ruth Eckerd Hall                                                               Clearwater, FL *

September 12   Parker Playhouse                                                             Ft. Lauderdale, FL *

September 13   Hard Rock Live                                                                   Orlando, FL *

September 14   Saenger Theatre                                                              Pensacola, FL *

September 15   Symphony Hall                                                                  Atlanta, GA *

September 17   War Memorial Auditorium                                           Nashville, TN *

September 18   Chicago Theatre                                                               Chicago, IL *

September 19   Lakewood Civic Auditorium                                         Lakewood, OH *

September 20   Taft Theatre                                                                       Cincinnati, OH *

September 21   Wings Stadium                                                                  Kalamazoo, MI *

September 22   Macomb Music Theatre                                    Mt. Clemens, MI

September 24   Carolina Theatre                                                               Durham, NC *

September 25   Warner Theatre                                                      Washington, DC *

September 26   Beacon Theatre                                                        New York, NY *

September 27   Orpheum Theatre                                                           Boston, MA*

September 28   Tower Theatre                                                                  Upper Darby, PA *

September 29   Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead                           Munhall, PA *

October 1            Center for the Arts                                                          Buffalo, NY *

October 2            Palace Theatre                                                                  Albany, NY *

October 3            State Theatre                                                                    Portland, ME *

October 4            Casino New Brunswick                                                  New Brunswick, NB

October 5            Rebecca Cohn Auditorium                                           Halifax, NS

October 7            Le Capitole De Quebec                                                  Quebec City, QC

October 8            National Arts Centre Southam Hall                           Ottawa, ON

October 9            St. Denis Theatre                                                             Montreal, QC

October 10          Centre in the Square                                                      Kitchener, ON

October 11          Massey Hall                                                                        Toronto, ON

October 14          Burton Cummings Theatre                                           Winnipeg, MB

October 15          TCU Place                                                                            Saskatoon, SK

October 16          Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium                      Edmonton, AB

October 17          Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium                      Calgary, AB

October 19          Vogue Theatre                                                                  Vancouver, BC

October 21          The Fox Theater                                                               Spokane, WA

October 22          Paramount Theatre                                                        Seattle, WA

October 23          Historic Elsinore Theatre                                               Salem, OR

October 25          Vina Robles Amphitheatre                                           Paso Robles, CA

October 26          Fox Theater                                                                        Oakland, CA

 

Fans can keep up with all the latest news, tour dates and more from Joe Satriani online at http://www.satriani.com and at http://www.facebook.com/joesatriani.

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Delta Rae Work With Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham On Song; Premiere Video For New Single

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

Durham, NC’s own Delta Rae has kept busy ever since releasing its debut record, Carry the Fire last year on Warner Brothers Records.  The band recently teamed up with Fleetwood Mac’s very own Lindsey Buckingham on the band’s re-recorded version of its new single, ‘If I Loved You.’

The video for the re-recorded song was released exclusively via RollingStone.com yesterday.  Audiences should note that while Buckingham had a hand in the new take on the song, he wasn’t in the video.  Regardless, fans can check it out now at http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/delta-rae-pair-with-fleetwood-macs-lindsey-buckingham-in-if-i-loved-you-premiere-20130326.  Singer Elizabeth Hopkins takes vocal duties on the song.  She discussed the song in the band’s interview with Rolling Stone.  “This video captures what I love most about the song,” she said.  “It’s simple and raw.  Telling someone point blank that you don’t love them is difficult and painful.  I’ve done it.  It feels horrible, but there is also a release that comes along with it, a lifting of weight.  I think this video lets you focus on the rawness of that message.”

Fellow band member Ian Holljes commented on the excitement of playing with Buckingham, whose band is the favorite band of the members of Delta Rae.  “I can’t really accurately express how wild it was for us to learn that Lindsey Buckingham had played on ‘If I Loved You,” he said.  “I grew up on stories of how my parents (along with every other kid on campus) would blast the entirety of Rumours out of their college dorm room windows.  Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham’s writing have been so influential to us so to have his talents and incredibly distinctive guitar playing laid over one of our tracks felt like the world sort of folding over on itself.  Ultimately it was rewarding on two huge levels – the thrill of having one of your heroes play on your song and the actual impact of his beautiful guitar work enhancing the song so meaningfully.”

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records/Sire Records

The band’s album is available in stores and online now.  It can be ordered direct online from iTunes at http://bit.ly/Zp5laF.  The band is currently touring in support of its debut release.  It will be in New Orleans on April 11^th at Howlin’ Wolf.  It’s just one of many dates currently scheduled that will take the band through this summer.  Among the band’s current dates is a handful of dates in North Carolina between April 26^th and May 4^th.  For a full list of tour dates and to get all the latest news from the band fans can “Like” the band on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/deltarae.  Fans can also get the latest news from the band and a free 11-track live album on the band’s official website, http://deltarae.com.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.