My Music ABC: C

Today I am coming back back to my 'music series'. Here are some remarks on the (chosen) Cs.

Colosseum
I discovered this band by accident. My neighbor (the same who had "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" record) owned also "Valentyne Suite" by Colosseum. The neighbor did not like the album at all, I loved it.  Especially certain tracks, including #1 'The Kettle'. I borrowed the record and listened to it many times. Since my knowledge of English was quite basic then, I listened to the song and listened, and did not quite understand how could the kettle die. The point was, I thought the lyrics were 'Why the kettle died?'. I found it rather strange but who cared - the music was so amazing and that was what mattered to me. Not a dead kettle.
Well, if you do not know this piece, I need to explain the song text is 'Why the kettle dry?'


Cream & Clapton
Cream - one of the groups I neither saw live nor in any pictures at the time when I found their music (there was no Internet then). Cream and Clapton - together and later, when apart, they made quite a brand in their own class.

Clannad
Traditional Irish music has always charmed me. I first heard Clannad on the radio. The songs presented on-air then, made me look for some more music by the band. In my opinion, the way they interpret traditional tunes is quite special. 'Siúil A Rún' by Clannad is my favorite version of the song.

Many years later after I learned about Clannad, my husband introduced me to 'Celtic Woman'. We both like Irish music, and it actually made us meet each other. Living in two different parts of the world, we found each other thanks to the Irish music and a website on Ireland.

You can read my other posts on irish music and Celtic Woman here:
About Irish music & Celtic Woman
My Texas Alphabet: N for NTIF (North Texas Irish Festival)

Clash and some other bands - I am going to mention them when I reach the letter 'P'.

Classical C

Chopin - his music will always be a symbol of Poland to me. Growing up in the country, I was quite exposed to the creations of this Polish composer. The Chopin piano contests were transmitted on the main state channel. Every five years we observed the competition on TV, then discussed who was likely to win and so on. It was a kind of national event and many people were interested in it. I still find the names of some past winners familiar when I hear their concertos announced somewhere.
Last year, first time I think, the Chopin piano contest was not broadcast on TV at all. Apparently, viewers no longer find it entertaining and the station would not benefit from the transition at all. Well, times and people have changed, but I find it sad.

Anyway, these days, hearing a piano piece I most often can recognize it is something by Chopin, even when I am not able to say what the title of the tune is.

About Irish Music & Celtic Woman

I have always liked traditional Irish music. That was why I also played Irish songs to my students. However, before coming to the US, I had no opportunity to see any live performance of that kind.
Since my arrival in TX, we have been to North Irish Texas Festival - great bands and atmosphere!
My husband has also introduced me to Celtic Woman who are quite popular here. Last year we saw their 'Emerald' concert live. Both of us were totally delighted - with the music and the entire performance too.

No need to say that we were quite happy when we learned we would be able to enjoy one of their live 10th Anniversary productions. We were not disappointed again - just the opposite. The live shows by Celtic Woman were much more impressing than all the TV programs and videos which we had seen.


The name Celtic Woman is mostly associated with the female singers and their divine voices, and also with the sparkling 'Butterfly', a very skilful violin player. Although they are, of course, the faces of the 'brand', the enterprise called Celtic Woman is much more than the talented and attractive ladies. There are many more people who create the show. Except the ones who work 'behind the stage', there are also supporting singers, fantastic Irish tap dancers, all the instrumentalists: bagpipers, drummers, percussionists, piano player and others. Without them all - it would be quite a different Celtic Woman - just another singing group.


Whoever is responsible for the lights, does tremendous job to, as the light frame is a very important part of every Celtic Woman concert. The lights make each of them a multidimensional event, what you actually cannot really see while watching a TV recording/ a video. Comparing to a live production, what we can perceive on TV seems really flat. What is more, the colors of the lights very much add to the atmosphere of the programs. Nothing is accidental in a performance by Celtic Woman. While watching it, one can see how much work has been done. Every single detail has been polished perfectly, which (among others) makes all the dances look so effortless and every show so much enjoyable. Thanks to the work of the entire Celtic Woman, each of their live performances is quite an unforgettable experience. In my case - the waterproof makeup helped a lot.


Having watched and listened to them I wish we could go to Ireland some day...