It’s been four and a half years. Four and a half years since my eyes and ears first took in the beauty that is Keith Harkin. There are the obvious good looks to mention. Gorgeous blond hair, striking eyes, and, when he does smile, his whole face just lights up. But the beauty of Keith Harkin is definitely more than skin deep. His voice is peaceful & beautiful. And his songwriting – heartfelt, moving, and just plain beautiful.
Four and half years ago, I was watching PBS. Celtic Woman was on. The show was ending and I saw something on the guide about this new group of men called Celtic Thunder. I decided to watch, and will admit that I got sucked in. And I am so glad I did.
He was on my TV, singing the opening lines to the group’s “Heartland.” And I was hooked.
The next song was all Keith, singing and playing guitar. It was very folksy and, if I closed my eyes, I could imagine that I was sitting in a pub listening to him sing “The Mountains of Mourne.”
A few songs later, he popped up in this adorable newsboy cap and brought me to tears with “The Island,” a song about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. “The Island” remains my favorite Keith song to this day. You could tell in his performance that he felt those lyrics. He was just plain beautiful.
(I could recap every other Keith song from the Celtic Thunder history, but that could take too long. And it’s not really the purpose of this blog.)
As I watched this program, I found myself quickly navigating to the Celtic Thunder website and joining the conversation with the other fans who had just discovered the lads. There was a chat area that we quickly dubbed “The Pub” because it was very much like that atmosphere, at least in the beginning. I made lots of friends, some who have become dear to me. And felt blessed every time we got a Pub visit from the amazing creator of Celtic Thunder, Sharon Browne. I felt honored when I was one of a handful of fans entrusted with moderating the new forum on the Celtic Thunder site. And especially pleased when I was specifically given moderating duties over Keith’s area of the forum. Sharon knew. 🙂
I know I was super lucky to be one of the first fans on the site. I know it’s unlikely I will ever experience anything like I did those first few months. That first summer, there was a push to get radio play for Keith’s original song, “Lauren & I.” With my co-mod, Lisa, I was heading up “Click for Keith” chats in the Pub. It was kind of crazy. At night, this group of Pub buddies that were dubbed “The Night Crew” had some interesting conversations, both in the Pub and out. I remember once talking to Lisa about how we both wished to someday see Keith in his element: performing in a pub, just him and his guitar.
That first June, Keith and Damian were stopping in the a PBS station in the Seattle area and Sharon arranged for there to be a small meet up with a few of the fans at a local Starbucks. Two of those fans were two ladies I had grown close to already, Jo and Lisa. During that Starbucks meetup, my cell phone rang and it was Jo. And before long, she had given her phone to Keith, who was very sweet to chat with me for a moment.
It was kind of surreal.
A week or so later, I luckily got to volunteer for one of our local PBS stations on the evening that Keith, Paul and Damian were dropping in for the pledge drive. I was one of 7 (the So-Cal 7 – Keith said we sounded like a street gang) who got to answer phones during the pledge breaks while the guys were being interviewed. And, in return, our station gave us the opportunity during one of our work breaks to meet and hang out with those three. My first chance to meet Keith in person. And he knew who I was.
I was heading out the door of the conference room, thinking I had to hit the loo before the next pledge break, when I heard all of my buddies yelling for me to get back there. The guys had entered the room, and I’ve been told that Keith asked “where’s my moderator?” I ran back in and had moments with each of the guys, but made sure that I got a picture with Keith and had a chance to chat with him.
Since then, there have been more meet and greets with chats and I never once doubted that Keith knew who I was.
But the best Keith experience I’ve had thus far was a year and a half ago. Keith did a short Pub tour in the US while promoting CT and Sharon emailed me to make sure I knew he was performing in LA. Keith did two shows local to me and I was so so happy to attend both of them with my mom.
It was wonderful to finally get to experience what I had dreamed about seeing – Keith, in his element, with just a guitar. A nice intimate show setting. And he didn’t disappoint.
Now, he has finally released a solo album. This is the last thing on my wishlist for Keith and it has finally come true. And not in an “indie label” way, either. Keith has been signed to David Foster’s new label. David Foster. Songwriter extraordinaire, man with the golden ear, who can find talent so easily, it seems, and turn them into stars. (Hello, can we say “Josh Groban?”) This is something Sharon has been wanting for Keith since early on. And I’ve known she’s wanted it for him since early on. So, when it was announced that David signed Keith, I will admit that I cried. I was so excited for him and to know that Sharon’s wish came true.
Normally, when handed a new album of music, I like to consider it as any reviewer would. But I am simply too biased in this case. I’m not gonna review all 12 tracks. Half of the tracks are covers, and I love what he has done with them. One is a beautiful duet with Colbie Caillat on Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.” (I am so super jealous of Colbie, btw. I’ve wanted to duet with this boy since I first heard his voice. *sigh* Someday…) The other 5 are: Don Henley’s “The End of The Innocence,” Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin,” a lovely arrangement of The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun,” Marc Jordan’s “Tears of Hercules,” and a fun closer with Tom Waits’ “The Heart Of Saturday Night.”
As much as I LOVE the covers – his arrangements are fabulous – I am excited about this album for his original songs. Keith is an amazing songwriter; his lyrics never fail to move me in some way. And the 6 original songs are top notch. “Orange Moon” has this beautiful upbeat feel, though if you listen to the lyrics, not necessarily a happy song. This song, though, really shows the folk roots, I think. It almost sounds country. When I listen to the lyrics of “Take It Away Boys,” I get a sense that we’re hearing Keith’s soul. He really seems to be the one who loves the open road and the freedom. “Nothing But You & I” – these lyrics are kind of the perfect love song. These are the words I’d love to hear from the man I love. (Betting there are some swoony fans daydreaming of Keith singing the words to them.)
Not gonna lie, I have favorites. I LOVE “Daisy Fields,” possibly because it’s the one track I’ve seen him perform live. Then, there’s “Don’t Forget About Me.” *pssssh* As if we could ever forget him. 😉 Seriously, it’s kind of fun to hear him talking about heading for the coast to clear his head. The surfer never dies, right?
But the big favorite for me has got to be “Rosa.” I may hear it differently from most who will listen to the song. There are probably only a few who will hear it as I did from the first listen. One of my school friends thought it was a sad love song about a couple having to part for a time. Knowing a few things that I know about Keith, I don’t see it that way. It’s something much more beautiful and innocent and personal. And I actually don’t feel like I can even explain my reasons here, because it seems such a personal song. But I do tear up every time I hear it. Every time.
Bottom line: If you are a fan of Keith from his Celtic Thunder days, you’ll love the album. If you’ve never taken the time to listen to Keith’s Celtic Thunder work, don’t miss out on this album. If you enjoy songs from the heart, you’ll love the album. If you love the folksy rock sound, you’ll love this album. And, of course, I am a bit biased. But I also think I am a pretty good judge of music. And I would recommend this album to anyone who asked me about it, without hesitation or excuse. I’m proud of Keith. I’m excited for this opportunity he’s been given.
I know this has been a seriously long blog, but I feel like it’s my “love letter and congrats” to Keith, as he moves on to a new chapter in his career and his art. Simply because David Foster is involved, Keith will be exposed to a whole new ocean of fans who will finally get to see what us original fans have known for the last four and a half years.
It’s kind of the end of an era. And the beginning of a whole new adventure.
So, Keith, dude, I am SO SO SO excited for you! Feeling a bit like a proud sister or something. Can’t wait to see you on your first solo tour. 🙂
Loads of Love,
Sarah
La Voce Vivace 