Thursday, September 24, 2009

Songs from the Heart/ Tinker Bell The Lost Treasure/ Isle of Hope Tour/ Berne Symphony Orchestra Concert!

Hiya Everyone!

It has been quite a while since my last blog! Apologies!

It has been a busy time since our last concerts in Red Rocks!
Thank you so much to all of you and all our marvelous crew for making our long tour so special.

I have been at home catching up with family and friends, and playing music of course!
We filmed our latest DVD Songs from the Heart in the beautiful setting of Powerscourt House and Gardens in Wicklow. It was an incredible experience to be in such an historical place and we enjoyed every second of it! My parents, Seán, Caroline & Emma, Mike & Fiona, made it there, this was such a treat for me as I know how busy they all are. Frances, Noel and Karl were in Lorient, Brittany, but rang me just before I went on. Bruce, my webmaster also made it over from Germany and had a well earned break in Ireland over the next week.
It was fantastic too to see so many of our fans from America. What a trip they made and the support was incredible.We were all delighted so many made it over and I hope they enjoyed both nights despite the weather the first night!
Thanks too to all our friends from EMI, Ian Ralfini and Tara Chiari who were there cheering us on along with Dave Kavanagh, our Executive Producer, Scott Porter, our CEO, and Jonathan Hochwald of Madstone Productions.
We had huge help from Rachel Davis our Tour Manager, Scotty Ross our Production Manager and all our amazing crew from America and Ireland, who oversaw everything for us in Powerscourt. Our amazing Director Alex Coletti who, along with Tom Kenny our Lighting Designer, made it all look phenomenal. It really felt like a big family and everyone pulling together to make it work.
It was a big surprise that my parents were there and everyone knew except me!
I could not believe it when I saw them in the front row as I'm sure my expression conveyed! I was delighted and a bit nervous too, but it all went so well.
During a pause in the concert due to weather, my Mam got up from her seat and came up to us to the stage, and gave me a kiss. It was such a lovely spontaneous thing and was so moving.

Before and after our two nights in Powerscourt, it was studio time for us for the Songs from the Heart CD. David surpassed himself again with the stunning arrangements and compositions.
Andrew too was brilliant as usual with the recordings, mixing and all the other hard work that goes into making a CD. Thanks to both of them. We even got time to have lunch near my house and catch up in a more relaxed scenario!
It was great news too to hear that Celtic Woman won Best Celtic Group at Ireland's Music Awards at the World Fleadh this year, the competition was tough and we are delighted! Thank you to everyone that voted for us!

Moving on to the long awaited release of Tinker Bell The Lost Treasure! It hit the shops in the States yesterday I believe and I can't wait to see it!
It was again an honor to feature on such a beautiful score by Joel McNeely.
Lisa is singing the main title song 'If You Believe' which is really fantastic, warm and powerful.
There is beautiful work done by David and the choir on the score from the recording sessions in Dublin with Joel, David and Andrew. Alongside that, Méav, who sang in the choir, also sings 'Sunbeams', which is a lovely moving song.
I'm really excited to hear and see the movie, it's magical, and all the music and the songs are so emotive with a powerful message. It was a dream come true for me and I know you will all love it!

As I'm sure you must know, we are all heading back to the States in ten days to do our second leg of the Isle of Hope tour. We are very excited to be coming back to play and perform for you all. It gives us an opportunity to visit places that we didn't get to go to on our last tour. So the suitcase will be down in the next few days to get organized! As always your support is tremendous.
We are all doing interviews and some performances coming up to the tour and in the first week so keep tuned and look on www.celticwoman.com for info.

Other things too that have happened that are very special is that Karl's CD Vista Point is out and is available in all cool places, online and off!
Karl gave me some CD.S for the online shop at www.maireadnesbitt.com and ten are autographed! They will be up on the shop in the next few days.
It was so great to play on it and I know you will all enjoy the different tracks, compositions, arrangements and musicians that are on it.

Onto Berne in Switzerland, where I am honored to be soloist with the BSO for their New Year's Concert. This takes place on the 2nd January. I hope to be playing the premiere performance of the Tinker Bell Suite by Joel McNeely, music by David Downes, and music by Colm Ó Foghlú. More details will follow on www.maireadnesbitt.com and on the BSO site (link below).

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http://www.bsorchester.ch/

There will be some new pics from the Tinker Bell The Lost Treasure sessions; the rehearsals at Powerscourt for Songs from the Heart; and pics from the World Music Festival Dunlaoighre '09, coming up on the site soon. The composer Colm Ó Foghlú has done a remix of Skidoo from Raining Up and as a thank you to all of you it will be available for free download from my site very soon! So don't forget to visit!

Thank you all for your continued support and see you on tour in ten days!

Le grá,

Máiréad.



12 comments:

  1. Nice to hear from you, Máiréad as always. Nice too that you're able to get a break from all the activity. Hope to catch at least one show during the second leg but will have to travel some to get to it. Also, looking forward to the Tinker Bell release. Everything I've heard and seen so far looks great. Disapponted that I wasn't able to get to the Powerscourt show. Everyone from the Máiréad Forum in attendance thought it was wonderful.
    Enjoy the rest of your break. Looking forward to seeing you somewhere down the road.
    Don't forget to hoist a pint of the black stuff in honor of 250 years.
    Slainte!
    ~Tom

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  2. Aww, how wonderful that you were surprised by your parents! I am so happy for you. It sounds as if very exciting things are happening, and I'm really looking forward to seeing you this Fall!

    Love,
    Kelli

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  3. Warmest greetings, from Glenn, A.K.A. The Rotten Rebel. Moderator on your Forum.
    Oh Bless your heart Dear lady! What wonderful news! And, on the same day I read your latest Blog post, I get Orla's CD in my mail box! Today is a wonderful day. And, all this the day after my birthday!
    Great to read your latest blog post, and to know that you, and your family are all doing well.
    Yes, some of your Forum friends were there to support you at Powers Court. I was there in spirit.
    I can't wait for this next tour to begin. I will see two shows, and I am just so excited. And I am for Tink. 2 as well.
    Blessings once again, see you soon.
    Sincerely & respectfully yours,
    Glenn, A.K.A. The Rotten Rebel
    Mairead Nesbitt Fan Forum

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  4. Hello Máiréad!

    Well, that blog was well worth the wait! So much going on for you!

    Powerscourt was wonderful, yes in spite of the weather. You had lots of supporters there from your forum and others and it was well worth the trip. Some of us even traveled a bit further afield to see Tipperary, and a High Kings concert in Killarney. It was a wonderful week plus. Thank you also as always for your kind attention from the stage both nights. Not easy when you have to work for the cameras. So many parents and relatives were there the second night. It must have been so special for all involved.

    Everyone in the forum is excited about the new Tinker Bell movie and will actively support it. Likewise Karl's CD. I already have a copy from Claddagh records and have posted a review of it. Really great stuff!

    We'll see you soon on the tour straight off with three shows. You'll again have plenty of forum support this tour. I also look forward to presenting you with a check on your behalf for Oxfam along the way. God's blessings, safe travels, and see you soon.

    Dia dhuit, Scott and your forum.

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  5. Dear Máiréad,

    Hello! It's wonderful to hear from you again! Sounds like exciting things are happening!! Really looking forward to seeing the new Tinkerbell movie with you, Lisa, and Méav in it! I'm so excited also to see the new show, Songs from the Heart!

    I'll be seeing you in Merrillville and I am so thrilled about that! Meanwhile, take care and my prayers are with all of you for safe travel and so forth. God Bless!

    Much Love,
    Jeanine

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  6. Mairead,

    No doubt you've just won the award for the most action-packed blog ever! Amazing that you even had the time and energy to post it all--though we do so appreciate it! You've given a lot of glee to your fanforum members, who revel in your every triumph! We look very much forward to seeing you next month, so you may expect to see a lot of Fiddler Crossing signs everywhere you go! Never hesitate in the least to let us know if you need anything!

    John Mann/Starman
    A Maireadfanforum Moderator

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  7. Dear Máiréad,

    I am so glad everything is going well and I hope you have gotten some rest. Thank you for the updates on everything I am so happy to get to hear them.
    We are looking forward to seeing you soon on the tour. Take care and you are in our prayers.

    Le grá ó, Phillip Susan and Heather

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  8. Máiréad,

    Glad to hear from you. It has been a while indeed. I am happy to hear that you have had time to gather with family and friends while home and that the DVD recording went well. I am very excited about the new CD and DVD as well as the new Tinker Bell movie. It must be a great honour to be playing with the BSO.

    I wish you the best of luck with the leg of the tour, I am very excited and will be at the show on Oct. 16, also, good luck with playing with the BSO.

    Safe travels and see you in October,

    Destiny

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  9. Hello Máiréad,

    I have to agree with John's comments, what an outstanding blog entry!

    Enjoy your last couple weeks of relaxation as us forum fans are looking forward to your return next month.

    Please be safe and travel well.


    Tom "Thomas" Troxil

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  10. Hey Máiréad!

    Sounds like you've had a busy few months! I'm glad you had time in there to get caught up with friends and family. I'm also glad to hear that your parents surprised you at Powerscourt. That must have been a real treat for both you and them. :)

    I'm looking forward to seeing the newest Tinkerbell movie (as I plan to rent a copy soon), and hearing the wonderful music you've done, as well as the songs by Lisa and Méav. It must be wonderful to be a part of a Disney movie... definitely something this Disney fan dreams of.

    Enjoy the rest of your break, and safe travels to you as you return to the U.S.

    Take care and best wishes,
    -Emily/Bluefire

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  11. Mairead,
    I am looking forward to seeing you in EL Paso. It will be my second show, and as I have gathered from other fans, the shows just get better and better every time you see them. I hope you and the rest of the girls enjoy this tour as much as we will.
    Sincerely,
    Chris Brillante

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  12. Hello Máiréad,

    I just finished listening to TinkerBell and the Lost Treasure. All that I can say is WOW. I love the music that you've created, in particular "If You Believe" with David and Lisa.

    I have that song set on repeat in my CD player.

    Please be safe and travel well,


    Tom
    PS, see you in Akron

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