'Celtic Woman' show will celebrate music

Celtic singer Deirdre Shannon has a surprisingly diverse background.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- For "Celtic Woman" performer Deirdre Shannon, it happens every night.
During her touching rendition of Irish classic "Danny Boy," she can always spot a few tears shed amongst the audience members. While this confirms her talents as a vocal soloist, it also speaks to the raw emotion often associated with Irish music.
"I was touring with Michael Flatley maybe 10 years ago and even back then there was a serious connection, before the Irish thing [took] hold of the world," Shannon said. "My personal take on it is that Ireland has single-handedly written some of the most sad songs of the world, I think because of its sad heritage."
Designed as a celebration of Irish music, "Celtic Woman" features classical, traditional and contemporary styles performed by five soloists, a full choir and a backing band. This unique experience comes through Youngstown for a show Wednesday at Powers Auditorium.
"We all come together and bring different styles to the show under the guise of 'Celtic Woman,'" Shannon said. "It's quite good."
Her diverse background
Shannon, who was classically trained as a vocalist at the prestigious DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Dublin, possesses a unique versatility in her talents that allows her to seamlessly cross over to diverse venues and genres. Her r & eacute;sum & eacute; includes stints in "Lord of the Dance" and touring group Celtic Tenors, but she also has recorded with The Chieftains, Michael Crawford, Elvis Costello and Air Supply.
It's the pairing with the '80s Australian pop rock act a few years ago to record a remake of their hit "All Out of Love" that stands out as, if not unique, somewhat of an unexpected experience.
For Shannon, it was quite a flashback. "Oh yeah, I danced with many the lads in an Irish disco to 'All Out of Love,'" she said, laughing.
With plans on recording a new solo album and a production of an innovative folk version of the classic "Tristan and Isolde," Shannon's future remains bright. And as long as the American public continues to be fascinated by its Irish cousins across the Atlantic, she'll always have an audience waiting for her return.
People relate
"I think people want to relate to something that touches them," Shannon said.
"Something that heals them. Something that brings out personal flavors and so you find particularly with this show, 'Celtic Woman,' it seems to touch on something. And because I find Americans are very willing and able to identify with other cultures -- it's rare to meet somebody who doesn't have some little piece of Irish in them -- I think all of that stuff culminates together to form a real strong bond between America and Ireland. I think there always will be."