So, my bride and I ventured a 1.5 hour ride to New Haven, Connecticut last night and took in dinner at O’ Tooles Irish Pub, a fine establishment with an old world flavor, Irish hospitality at it’s best, the food and grog will leave a most discriminating palate satisfied, and there is a well presented respect for first responders and veterans about the place. All that said, it almost took all of the sting out of the $40 parking ticket left by “silly Rita Meter Maid” on my car while enjoying O’ Tooles.
Upon leaving New Haven, we ventured about another 30 minutes south to Sacred Heart University for a Christmas Concert given by Cherish The Ladies along with guest vocalist Cathie Ryan. The show was touted as being promoted as a joint effort between the Sacred Heart University Irish Studies Program and the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, and both organizations can be proud of the fine work they do in the promotion of Irish culture and traditional music. 
The evenings musical program was peppered with a number of standard Christmas tunes
and songs, the latter sung by Cathie Ryan with a voice to be envied by angels, add to that the harmonic vocal layering of CTL and you have an aural feast beyond imagination. Virtuosic musicianship was the order of the night with Joanie Madden anchoring the band with back up vocals and her incredible abilities as a virtual whistle / flute goddess, Mary Coogan’s flawless acoustic guitar work appearing effortless, Liz Knowles on fiddle with a well crafted hybridization of influence from both Ireland and Appalachia, Mirella Murray’s deft finger work on the accordion shining especially in waltzes she performed, and Kathleen Boyle’s piano playing being well connected to her family legacy of music extending back for centuries.
The evening performance was graced by some very accomplished Irish traditional dancers, with Joanie Madden having taught them everything they know. I must say I was completely entertained with Joanie’s self depricating sense of humor throughout the show, but most notably while joining the dancers and while joking about the stage and with the audience.
Having played for well over two hours with a short intermission midway, the house refused to let CTL quit, and chanted for more, only to be obliged by the band which had solidly endeared themselves to all in attendance.
As a whistle player, I loved listening to Joanie as I have so many times before, keenly studying each perceptible nuance of the masterful musician at work. As a CTL fan, I cherished the amazing music made by these wonderful ladies throughout the night. As a fan of traditional Irish music, the performance left me hoping that I get to see them play live again, and the sooner, the better!
THANK YOU LADIES!
Respectfully,
Cayden
