Journey Continues for Celtic Woman

CELTIC Woman has just released The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection on CD and DVD, capping the dizzying pathway to success that began in 2005.

In that timeframe, they have enjoyed sales of more than three million CDs/DVDs sold in the U.S., Billboard Top 200 chart success (number one on the Billboard World Music Chart for over 90 consecutive weeks) three hit PBS TV specials, and concerts in front of over 800,000 fans in the U.S. alone.

In short order, Lisa, Mav, Chlo, rla, Lynn and Alex and the inspired fiddle playing of Mirad have charmed the States, and the love affair will be continued as Celtic Woman will once again be featured on PBS during the network's December 2008 pledge drive campaign.

The new TV special will be a collection of memorable highlights taken from their past PBS specials: Celtic Woman: Live, A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle and A Christmas Celebration. The companion DVD in Greatest Journey will include a very special intimate behind-the-scenes documentary.

The new offering features four new songs ("The Call," "Pie Jesu," "Ave Maria," "You Raise Me Up," backed with a gospel choir) and two previously unavailable songs on CD, "Somewhere" from the Live at Slane Castle DVD, and "Shenandoah" from the deluxe CD of A New Journey.

In addition to the greatest hits CD, the Celtic Woman franchise will provide a stocking stuffer this Christmas for shoppers. A Celtic Family Christmas will feature songs like "Carol of the Bells" and "The First Noel" sung by the lasses. Their corporate cousins, the High Kings, join the holiday festivities with their read of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."

Onstage, singer Lisa Kelly is immaculately made up and adorned in the finest ball gowns. Reality sets in when the crowds are gone, and Kelly is no exception.

When we spoke on the phone, she was holding down the fort in her Dublin home by trying to pacify an unknown number of screaming toddlers in the background. Here's how our conversation went:

How do you juggle being a mother and performing?

It has worked out well so far. They have been with me every step of the way and actually are on their best behavior when they're on the road. They run amok at home. They are brilliant on a plane.

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Nster.com