Showing posts with label irish folk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irish folk. Show all posts

Celtic Ladies (Dig) Review

Celtic Ladies (Dig)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
If you like Celtic music, you will love this. These songs are beautiful. It has great vocals. I would recommend it to anyone.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Celtic Ladies (Dig)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Celtic Ladies (Dig)

A Woman's Heart: A Decade On Review

A Woman's Heart: A Decade On
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
A Woman's Heart 1 and 2 introduced me to a number of wonderful Celtic artists, most notably Dolores Keane. (Like "Mary29" I was also prompted to go out and buy as many of her CD's as I could find.) Though I thoroughly enjoyed all of the songs on "A Decade On" I was completely blown away by "Mystic Lipstick" (written by Christy Moore and sung here by Maura O'Connell), quite possibly the most hauntingly beautiful song I've ever heard. I have to believe the woman in this song is actually Ireland ... "She keeps fools for counsel, she keeps the wig and gown. The cloth and the bloody warfare, the stars and stripes and crown. And still we pray for a better day now, God willing it's for the best. But I've just seen the harp on the penny with a dollar on (...)." The imagery and heartbreak of the lyrics are conveyed perfectly by Maura O'Connell's beautiful interpretation and voice. Worth every penny for this song alone, this is one CD that I'm going to be playing over and over. (And I'll soon be having some Maura O'Connell CD's to keep my Dolores Keane CD's company :-)

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Woman's Heart: A Decade On



Buy Now

Click here for more information about A Woman's Heart: A Decade On

The Dubliners: On the Road - Live in Germany (2007) Review

The Dubliners: On the Road - Live in Germany (2007)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a behind the scenes look at The Dubliners off stage and some on stage performances. Yes the dvd is deceiving in the sense that you think its a concert but it just has a smattering of concert footage but that was ok with me. The Dubliners are a powerful band...MIGHTY. They show us who they are and basically have fun throughout the dvd. Very Enjoyable!! So sit back and have pint and watch a the Dubliners having fun...you will to.
Slainte

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Dubliners: On the Road - Live in Germany (2007)

Formed in 1962, The Dubliners are perhaps one of the most wellknown Irish Folk groups. Despite a number of lineups throughout the years,they still perform to this day. "On The Road - Live In Germany" is acombination of live performance and an "on the road" documentary.Tracklisting 1) Opening Reels 2) The Rare Old Mountain Dew 3) Kelly, The Boy FromKillane 4) The Job Of Journeywork 5) The Irish Rover 6) Among Friends 7)John's Schuhplattler & Down The Broom 8) Lord Of Our Hopefulness 9) TheSick Note 10) Whiskey In The Jar 11) I'll Tell Me Ma 12) The Irish Rover13) The Ballad Of St Anne's Reel 14) Barney's Banjo Solo 15) Finnegan'sWake 16) Song For Ireland 17) The Town I Loved So Well 18) Nora 19) RockyRoad To Dublin 20) Dirty Old Town 21) Dirty Old Town (reprise) 22) CillChais 23) Mandolin Duet 24) Dicey Reilly 25) Dicey Reilly (reprise) 26) TheWild Rover 27) Oro Sé Do 'Bheatha Bhaile

Buy NowGet 8% OFF

Click here for more information about The Dubliners: On the Road - Live in Germany (2007)

Reunion Review

Reunion
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
After 16 years apart, the group that first brought Irish folk music to North America reunited in 1984 for a tour that reminded everybody why they were so great. All the energy of 20 years before was present...in fact, it sounds like Liam, Pat and Tom Clancy, plus Tommy Makem, were performing like they'd never get a chance to sing again. The song selection is fabulous, Tom Clancy sounds *great* on Red-Haired Mary and Haul-Away Joe (if, as some reviewers have written, he was dying of cancer at this stage, he sure hid it well) and the musicianship is superb. Before there was a Chieftains, before there was a Wolfe Tones, even before there was a Dubliners...there was the Clancys and Makem. This may just be the single finest Irish folk album ever made.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Reunion



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Reunion

Celtic Thunder Review

Celtic Thunder
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I can't believe that people are giving this low stars just because it does not have all of the songs from the concert DVD (which is a separate product altogether). You really should rate the CD on what it IS and what it is not.
Besides, executive producer Sharon Browne posted on their official web site that there will be a 2nd CD containing the "missing" songs that will be coming out in September, and featuring a bonus track of "Danny Boy."
So my review of the CD, as it IS....
Wonderful! If you are looking for traditional Irish music, this probably isn't the album for you, but if you are looking for five talented vocal performers coming together to produce a terrific contemporary album, then hold on to your seats! Each song is beautifully arranged and executed to perfection, producing a coherent album that embraces each of the strengths of the individual soloists.
Definitely recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Celtic Thunder

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.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Celtic Thunder

Celtic Thunder: Take Me Home (2009) Review

Celtic Thunder: Take Me Home (2009)
Average Reviews:

(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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Celtic Thunder: Take Me Home (2009)

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!

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Celtic Thunder: Take Me Home (2009)

Celtic Woman Review

Celtic Woman
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I recently discovered Celtic Woman courtesy of my local PBS station that aired their performance that is already out on dvd. I just fell in love the mix of classical and celtic music. What really struck me was the clarity of the women's vocals were. Lisa, Chloe, Meav, and Orla sang with great restraint and did not go down the Celine Dion route and oversing each high note known to mankind. While I do think that Lisa and Meav has the strongest set of pipes, it does not mean that I think Chloe and Orla has thin, weak vocals. I just thought Lisa and Meav's vocals really stood out for me.
My most personal favorite song on the album is the gorgeous ballad "Someday" from Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". I was truly moved by Chloe's performance when I saw her sing it on the PBS special. That song along is why I bought this cd. It is a beautiful song that sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it. Chloe also does a stunning job on "Walking in the Air". It is quite a contrast from the heavy metal version by Nightwish. Another favorite song is "Harry's Game" sung by Orla. Her vocals on this song also gives me the chills. I am so glad that "Si Do Mhaimeo i (The Wealthy Widow)" was included on the cd. It is one of my favorite songs from the PBS special. A very playful song. I wish I knew what the english translation were. Another favorite highlight for me on this album is their version of "You Raise Me Up". That really made the hair on my arms stand up tall. It really moved me emotionally, more so than Josh Groban's version. What I found rather interesting about the recorded version and the live version on the PBS special is that the recorded version sounded like it was sung strictly by Meav while the credits listed Meav, Lisa, Chloe and Orla. If you listened to this cd as much as I have (which is a few times a day), you can easily recognize Meav's delicate soprano vocals.
I wish that the cd also included Enya's "Marble Halls" and Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring". They were simply breathtaking. Other than that, I loved this entire cd. There was not a single song that I didn't like or felt should have been left out. I look forward to hearing more music from the women of Celtic Woman.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Celtic Woman



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Celtic Woman

Acoustic Victor & HMV recordings (1912-1914) Review

Acoustic Victor and HMV recordings (1912-1914)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
A local New York professional opera enthusiast has concluded that Corelli is the most popular operatic tenor, followed by Jussi Bjoerling. But if the question is, who had the most beautiful tenor voice ever impressed upon wax, we must lift up John McCormack. Here is true bel canto which no one else has ever equalled. These two CD's contain some of the most exquisite sounds ever issued by a human throat. Let the galleries declare their enthusiasm for stentorian high C's, the real lover of great singing will find much more to their like her than in all the verisssimo arias. Listen to the two "Mefistofele" Arias (Boito) and ask yourself if they have ever since been so beautifully sung. This recording belongs in the collection of every aspiring tenor, just to remind what can be accomplished by art and perfect singing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acoustic Victor & HMV recordings (1912-1914)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Acoustic Victor & HMV recordings (1912-1914)

Sinead O'Connor - Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience Review

Sinead O'Connor - Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When this DVD was released I nearly melted because I had never seen Sinéad live. And seeing this DVD almost made me feel like a part of the audience. The shots of Sinéad and the band are great. I think the best part of this concert is Sinéad's voice. From the opening track to the last, Sinéad whispers her songs and sings as if to attack. Her voice is very rich and has amazing powers.
I think the only problem with the performance is that it was so short. Sinéad could have easily performed a few more songs. She didn't seem exhausted at all! But taking the songs she did play into consideration, I was very pleased with the selection. The only song which I actually considered boring was The Last Day of Our Acquaintance. But songs such as Nothing Compares 2 U (which is reconstructed in such a beautiful way that it no longer is annoying from being overplayed), I Am Stretched On Your Grave, Fire on Babylon and Thank You For Hearing Me made this concert orgasmic! Trust Me! I got chills watching and hearing it.
As far as the other features of the DVD, the recording of Sean-Nos Nua was very nice, but the videos were kind of, hmmm, boring. I have to admit I could actually not sit through them.
Having said that, the concert is worth the price, if not much more!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sinead O'Connor - Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience

SINEAD O'CONNOR:GOODNIGHT THANK YOU - DVD Movie

Buy NowGet 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Sinead O'Connor - Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience

Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008) Review

Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008)
Average Reviews:

(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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008)

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

Buy NowGet 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008)