Gaelic Storm - Live in Chicago (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Since I "discovered" Gaelic Storm a bit over three years ago, I have made it a "must" to be in the crowd anytime this exciting and talented crew is anywhere in my area (West-Central Ohio). So I have been privileged to hear GS live 15 - 20 times.
Let me promise that the performance captured in Chicago on this DVD is the REAL THING. It captures the spirit, and the lively, and lovely, enthusiasm and driving Irish music that Gaelic Storm presents every time out! Watching that DVD in my living room (I wasn't in Chicago when it was recorded) frequently has me on my feet clapping (and yeah, sometimes even jumping up and down)with their amazing music. Gaelic Storm is the ONLY band that has the power to make me jump up and down since I was 17 - - - and I am now 72. The magic of their music ALWAYS draws me to the front of the stage with the teens (and some others)who comprise a most enthusiastic, yet gentle, mosh pit. I just cannot keep from jumping with the kids on such GS bell-ringers as "Courting in the Kitchen" or "The Hills of Connamara", or "Tell Me Ma", or "Beggarman" and so many others.
Yep, this DVD presents a true picture of the electric atmosphere that is generated by a Gaelic Storm concert. I wouldn't part with my copy for $100.

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TRACK LISTING - Courtin in the Kitchen, Johnny Jump Up, Swimmin in the Sea, Lonestar Stow-Away, I Miss My Home, An Cailin Des Rua, Me and the Moon, Born to Be A Bachelor, Ghost Lit Raiders, Rocky Road to Dublin, Johnny Tarr, Pina Colada in a Pint Glass, Punjab Paddy, Spiderman Set, Drink the Night Away, Stain the Grout, Beggerman, Tell Me Ma

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Celtic Thunder: Take Me Home (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Okay, many of the reviews here either pre-date the DVD release, or refer just to the group themselves, not this DVD. Which can be misleading to someone considering this purchase. I'm going to just address the Take Me Home DVD.
The guys sound great on the DVD (unquestionably live this time 'round) and are just as cute and talented as ever, though I do have some issues with this set. Damian needs more mature songs to go with his more mature voice, and Keith fans will be disappointed that he sings nothing new here (the only one who doesn't. And I'm not counting Castles in the Air, since it was included in the Act II cd). The Take Me Home cd has two new Keith songs, which for some reason don't make it into the show. The CD may be more worth your money, as it consists of all new songs, plus a new version of Steal Away, that you do hear on the DVD. As others have said, this DVD seems to just recycle a lot of songs from the first DVD, which is disappointing.
But none of that bothers me as much as the AWFUL production value of the DVD. It looks like someone from a college video class made it. Crazy camera angles, unnecessary zooms, shaky-cam to the point of vomit-cam a couple of times. Bad lighting, strange crowd shots, and even my DVD menu didn't work. I can't do anything in the Song Selection on the main menu. It keeps looping and looping. I have to play the first song, stop, hit menu, and THEN I can select a particular song. At the end of the DVD, if I hit stop, it won't, and then after it plays out on it's own, I again get booted back to the Song Selection menu, which still won't let me select a song. Anyone else having this problem? It is just another example of how this DVD was shoddily made in an effort to cash in quickly on the Lad's popularity. It is insulting to them and their fans.
So, to sum up, Celtic Thunder, the group, get 5 stars. Celtic Thunder, Take Me Home, the DVD, gets a 0. If you are a CT fan, as I am, you'll get this anyway (or even pre-ordered it like me, whaaa) but just be prepared that it is nowhere near as nicely done as the first one.

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A DVD with a running time of almost 2 hours features 13 new Celtic Thunder performances!Since March 2008, Celtic Thunder has spent over 45 weeks at the top of the Billboard World Music Charts, knocking themselves off the number 1 spot with their second CD "Celtic Thunder Act II." Now after scanning close to 400K units and playing to over 200,000 people on their second North American Tour Celtic Thunder presents Take Me Home (filmed at Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada on April21st '09) an all new show on CD and DVD.The event features almost all new material with only three of the most popular songs from the original Celtic Thunder pledge show included. The new songs are dynamic and exciting. Damian (a foot and a half taller with a new deeper voice) has great new songs in "Happy Birthday Sweet 16" and "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" and would give a young Neil Sedaka or Frankie Vallie a run for his money! Ryan's dark destroyer character develops well with a rendition of Sting's "Every Breath You Take", George's personality and sense of humour comes to the fore in "500 Miles", a highlight in the show and Paul's performance of "You Raise Me Up" is not to be missed. Keith, the blonde surfer heart-throb is set to steal more hearts with "Castles in the Air" accompanying himself on the guitar. The guys come together for both "Working Man" and "Take Me Home", as ever their voices even more powerful in these ensemble songs, and in the harmony pieces. "Danny's Boy" A Cappella, has been included due to popular demand after their performance on 5th Ave for "St Patrick's Day" and performing it at the White House that night - the highlight of their success in the USA.Also Available: A new studio CD that features 15 songs/14 never before on CD!

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The Best of Riverdance (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'll always be a bigger fan of Lord of the Dance but there's no denying what show started it all. "The Best of Riverdance" was better than I expected and was relieved to see they included footage of Michael Flatley despite the ugly breakup of the star from the show. It was well put-together. Other buyers have complained that the narration by female lead Jean Butler upsets the flow but that's certainly not the case. It's not like she's talking during the numbers. She's there to introduce the clips from the show and provide some background on them. Her part in this dvd is quite necessary. In addition, her behind-the-scenes insight proves to be interesting.
It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the show's inception. This video is a great recollection of how it came about from a 7 minute jaw-dropping performance to a full-fledged touring production.

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Includes 18 of the all-time best performances of Riverdance from its extraordinary beginnings at the Point Theatre, Dublin, with original stars Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, through its phenomenal success in Radio City Music Hall, New York to its latest live recording in Geneva. Riverdance boasts an international cast featuring the remarkable Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe, the cream of Irish musicians in the Riverdance Band and a spectacular array of talent from Spain, Russia and America, performing to the magic of Bill Whelan's music. More electrifying than ever, this DVD is a treasure for Riverdance fans worldwide! SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: RIVERDANCE- The Ten Years. An all New 65 Minute Documentary, celebrating the Riverdance phenomenon over the first 10 years. Featuring all the passion, power and intrigue of the show backstage. Introduced by Gabriel Byrne. RIVERDANCE - Behind the Scenes: Never seen before footage of the Riverdance backstage crew in action.RIVERDANCE- Performance at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony.

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Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a singer myself (and one of Irish heritage on top of that) I can tell you I was in awe of the vocal chops shown by the men in this group. There is of course, Paul the operatic tenor who could have a brilliant career in classical music but also can be achingly tender on love ballads and throw a bit more timbre in his voice to put some testosterone into the folk songs. Then there is George the baritone, so rich and mellow and gentle on the family ballads he sings and with the best brogue of them all. Blond twenty-something Keith whose slightly nasal but very sweet tenor is God's gift to those Irish protest songs and pop songs. And then precocious and precious Damian, all of 14, who sounds at least 10 years older than he is and with so much depth and chest resonance-- where did he learn to do that? Finally, Ryan who seems less vocally gifted but I suspect that is only because of the company he is in, but has more than enough smolder and attitude to make up for it. And then when they blend their voices together on the songs of national pride and longing somehow they manage to sound like a string ensemble. There were literally chills down my back and tears in my eyes. These guys are good, really good.
About all I can add to what others have written is to tell you that my daughters, aged 6 and 7, absolutely love this music as much as I do. It is now replacing the Wiggles (thank God!) as our favorite music to play in the car. My 7 year old practically melted into a big puddle on the floor when she saw young Damian. She thinks he is the cutest thing since Zac Efron! So this CD has been a great experience to share with my kids and teach them about our family history.

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For Celtic Thunder, Sharon Browne has teamed up with Grammy-nominated Irish songwriting and composing veteran Phil Coulter to produce a show that includes an eclectic mix of songs ranging from the traditional "Mountains of Mourne" and "Come By the Hills" to international hits such as "Brothers in Arms" and "Desperado," as well as original compositions by Coulter, who has written hits for Elvis Presley ("My Boy") and the Bay City Rollers, and performed with Van Morrison, Tom Jones, and the Rolling Stones. The ensemble numbers in Celtic Thunder reflect the power of the vocalists, who range in age from 14 to 40, and feature songs that celebrate a common Celtic heritage.Track Listings:1. Heartland2. The Mountains Of Mourne3. Raggle Taggle Gypsy4. Ride On5. Come By The Hills (Buachaill On Eirne)6. The Old Man7. Love Thee Dearest8. Heartbreaker9. Nights In White Satin10. A Bird Without Wings11. The Voyage12. The Island13. Brothers In Arms14. Mull Of Kintyre15. Puppy Love16. Lauren & I17. Steal Away 18. Remember Me (Recuerdame)19. My Boy20. Desperado21. Ireland's Call 22. That's A Woman23. She24. Young Love25. I Wanna Know What Love Is26. Cal/Local Hero27. Caledonia28. Yesterday's Men

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