Celtic Thunder: Ireland's Version of Branson, Only Worse

well now I`ve read everything. certainly this was written in cheek??? or is it that you have a lot of cheek to write this!!!!!! the whole show is infectious and as you said you couldn`t help watching it!!!that is what happened to me. I suppose you don`t like andre rieu either????? or sarah brightman?? my husband didn`t like her….lots of people do…all I can say is—you sure are narrow in your ideas… what a pity!!

true, I am very narrow minded when it comes to music. Like I said, I love Irish music, but the simplicity, musicianship and soul of true Irish music was quashed by the overwhelming force of the broadway-style production.

And YET…..Celtic Thunder has been at the top of the World Chart for over 10 weeks. It also tops the Internet Sales Chart in 9th position, and Lauren and I is one of the fastest climbing songs on the Clear Channel New Music Database. Yet you think they are terrible. Guess you lose.

Judging music’s worth via “the charts” is very silly. “The Charts” are basically filled with shite. Enjoy!

Ok Jeff. So you don’t like Broadway style productions in regards to music. That of course, is fine. ‘To each his own’. That does not erase the fact that each and every member of Celtic Thunder is very talented. If you disagree then I have to seriously question your taste in music. I also wonder if YOU would ever be considered for any production as unique and popular as Celtic Thunder? Or is this a ‘little man syndrome’ kind of thing. sure sounds like it

THIS is not the original Celtic Thunder – they have stolen the name of a VERY fine group I used to see often in Irish festivals in the baltimore/DC area back in the 80s. THAT group, featuring step-dance champion Reagan wick who played piano and would add awesome percussion with his feet (LONG before Riverdance came around) was quite awesome and very talented. Their 1988 CD is still available – http://www.amazon.com/Light-Other-Days-Celtic-Thunder/dp/B000005CNJ/ and see
http://www.traderootmusic.com/work/media_folder/Press_Releases/CelticThunderPRfinal.doc
How can a bunch of newcomers like this steal the name of a fine old band??

It’s a pity that such talent puts themselves out there to be bashed so badly by people.Each in their own right is very talented,put together they have amazing qualities.Although some might not enjoy their music,all you have to do is turn the channel,not be so critical .They have feelings too. And they have built quite a fan base in such a short time.
I wish them nothing but the best.

What if there was a new show on PBS called Beatles? It featured a nice english group doing dramatic romantic songs. They may be a fine group, in their own right, but why should they get to use the name of an already established group with a long history?

Jeff Lyons is a buffoon (probably an unemployed drunk)
This is some of the best music I have ever heard. These guys are talented and inspirational. When I am at my lowest low, I listen to their music and it always lifts me up.

Jeff Lyons…go back to the alley (in Jersey) that you belong in. You obviously are tone deaf.

I am Swiss and Welsh and their music makes me wish I were Irish.

Norm, i get the feeling you don’t value my opinion. And thanks for letting everyone know about my little drinking problem and living arrangements, BTW the alley is in Philly… a classy part. So there. I’m glad you find great comfort in their music, it somehow must balance out the immense pain it has caused me.

If you dig Irish music, Check out:
http://comhaltas.ie/

Jeff,

The funny thing is that I really am not too fond of Irish music but I can’t stop listening to Celtic Thunder. It looks like you are outnumbered by people who appreciate talent. Perhaps your hearing aid malfunctioned. I bet your favorite bands are the Backstreet Boys and Minuto. I will not visit a site that you recommend because you have horrible taste in music. Sorry…I only call it as I see it. Anyone out there agree with me?

Norm, makes sense… Celtic Thunder is not Irish Music, so you would probably not like the link I sent you. Fair enough. I am intrigued by this “Minuto” band you speak of, I’ll check them out, just give me a minute…

Just an FYI, Ryan Kelly is actually not yet 30. So he can’t be in his late thirties. Let’s get some facts straight before you continue in your bashing of a group of talented individuals.

George Donaldson (the bald guy) is actually Scottish. Keith Harkin is kind of like an Irish Keith Urban.

My favorite bands are the Moody Blues and Alan Parsons Project…not at all like Celtic Thunder but I still really like their music. It is contagious.

I didn’t spell Minuto properly. It should be Menudo. Ricky Martin was in the band.

Menudo is a Latino boy band that was formed in the 70s by producer Edgardo Diaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 80s, becoming the most popular Puerto Rican teen musical group of the era.

During its course, the band had several radio hits. Their success led them to also release two feature films: Una Aventura Llamada Menudo and Menudo: La Película.

The band was a starting point for stars like Ricky Martin, Fernando Romantico, and Robi Draco Rosa, who were members during their youth.

In the late 90s, the band underwent several changes, and ultimately the rights of the band were sold, changing their name to MDO. The new version of the band continued to enjoy moderate success through Latin America.

Menudo was revived under new management with the announcement of 5 new members in November 2007 marking its 30th anniversary.

Heather – just an FYI…when the producer of the Current Celtic Thunder, Ireland discovered there was already a band in the States with the same name she did contact them and discuss it with them. They happily agreed to sharing the name. And Celtic Thunder does acknowledge that there is a pre-existing group in the states with the same name. So I wouldn’t say it was stolen as they are all sharing.

Jeff,

Please do not confuse your own musical narrow-mindedness with expertise on Irish music. Ireland has not remained limited to the bodran and the pipe whistle but is a thriving culture, evolving and offereing new things all the time to our world, as well as bringing us the artistic forms of its past. While I too love the pub corner music it is more for the comradderie of the pubmates and the ambiance than for its captive and enthralling qualities.

Irish lyrical music (of which some traditional music and some newer compositions are included in the Celtic Thunder show) has always included intensity, pathos and melody as I find so readily throughout the Celtic Thunder performance. It is above all a singers’ concert with stage blocking and other physical performance aspects providing a frame for the soloists and organizing the group number deliveries. Contrary to your impressions I found the variety of voices, set lists and themes of each of the Celtic Thunder soloists highly entertaining and full of feeling.

I encourage you to suspend your expectations and have another look and listen. If you watch without feeling determined to be offended you may be able to find the wonderfully diverse voices, beautiful harmonies, energizing drum beats and heartfelt performances something unlike what you’ve seen before. Certainly the themes of love, conflict, life experiences, loss, love and lust are all characteristic of the Irish experience – and there’s plenty of our special sense of humor in there too as it naturally occurs within the group.

Glad you wrote your critique since it has stimulated so much positive commentary on this show.

Mary Pat

Thanks for the laugh and the honest-to-goodness humorous and well-deserved slamming of purveyors of this inauthentic junk-masquerading-as-music. Your blog really cracks me up and is usually, as in this case, right on target!

Mary Pat, fine points all around, well put, but I cannot give a second listen. I’ve listened enough and it’s hard on my soul. I realize every country needs their highly polished Broadwayesque fanfare, it makes for a very marketable production that appeals to the masses, just not me and a few other music snobs.

PMcL, Thanks! Welcome to the minority.

Jeff, I don’t know your motive in posting this drivel other than to waste the time of people who obviously appreciate good music and good performers. Norm and Pat were right-on in their comments. You do need to take your bad attitude somewhere else and stop the bashing altogether. It is terribly unsportsmanlike.

Georgia

Georgia, I prefer “Time Wasters” to “Waste of Time”… either way, this site is probably not for you, we like to have a bit of fun.