I’m completely puzzled as to why people would shell out so much money for a show like this, Celtic Thunder at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre here in Victoria (the $75 seats were all full). Not that the musicians were bad; they were all talented enough. But all I could think about was that a Celtic-themed bar band would have been just as good, and way more fun, for a fraction of the price (having played in such a band, I feel like I’m some sort of authority on this).
Though I pondered this through the whole show, an overheard comment on the way out partially enlightened me: “I really like their specials on PBS.” Ah: that explains the audience’s median age of 55.
The show was a strange mix of styles. The movement between Broadway ensemble numbers, adult-contemporary originals, solo torch songs, and traditional music defied any kind of cohesion. Six singers are too many to give the group the kind of character that a smaller ensemble can have.
Some of the singers are also instrumentalists, so there were smaller-group breakaway songs. A solid, straight-up bluegrass version of “Man of Constant Sorrows” showed off that versatility, but did not help clarify the show’s sense of purpose.
The strangest thing is that this band is billed as an Irish “supergroup.” While they are good at what they do, there is no unusually burgeoning talent to set them out from a crowd of equally decent groups. The original songs are the same inoffensive theatrical schlock that has been around for decades. The stage setup could easily be put together in a high-school theatre. The group only really shines in the traditional-material ensemble numbers and the up-tempo covers, and even then only when the band is not playing some hideous Van Dyke Parks-inspired orchestral arrangement.
These guys could be a really great Celtic bar band. Minus a few singers.
I think you need to learn a lot more about music before you can judge what is good or bad. Obviously you wouldn’t know what talent is if it jumped up and bit you on the nose. This group of artists has bought a lot of pleasure into the lives of a lot of people and I think that says more than you ever could with your article. Long may the thunder roll!!!
Interesting comments. Perhaps you should look into their history a little bit more. I am a fan and have an appreciation for them as talented singers and performers. They share their passion every time they hit the stage. If you look closely while they are singing, you can actually see it. Aside from Celtic Thunder, many of the group have solo careers in the making. The arrangements that David Monroe has created from the so called “theatrical schlock” are in fact far better than I have heard other performers attempt. My opinion is that you just don’t get it. By the way… I am almost 50 years old have have a great appreciation for all kinds of music. I would think that it would be boring to listen to the same musical genre for two hours. It is that defiance of “Cohesion” that many of the fans like. We love the variety and share in the joy that the performaners give us as they put their hearts and soul into the music. It is also not just the “Singers” as you put it, but the music as well. In previous albums, there have been some wonderful musical pieces. Try it! I for one have tickets for Seattle… their last night and am looking forward to it. I will also be visiting Kell’s Irish Pub to listen and appreciate Ryan Kelly and maybe Neil Byrne from their upcoming CD Acoustically Irish being released in October. I wish Celtic Thunder the very best on their Mythology Tour with an amazing grueling schedule not to mention the Cruise that is in the middle of it. They have obviously done something right as many of the fans are return patrons as well as supporter of Public Television. More research is needed on your part. They are definitely bigger than a bar or a pub.
Samantha, you have bit off more than you can chew! I think you need to see them again! We adore them!!! But maybe you should have researched them before you saw the show. Sorry to be so critical of you.
Donna Dillon.
Well you can have your opinion, even if it’s WRONG!!! I’ve been going to CT shows for YEARS and have yet to be disappointed in ANY way!!! I go to be entertained…and I have been EVERY time. You obviously don’t know superb talent from the contemporary garbage that’s passing for music these days! Go find a different job! You obviously don’t know squat about music!!!
I shouldn’t be, but I am surprised that this drivel was actually published. It’s like the writer was trying to sound like she knows what she’s talking about but, in all honesty, this entire article screams bias, which is not what a respected reviewer should come across as. When someone goes to see a show that they know they will be reviewing, would they not first do some research about the person[s] they are going to review? If the writer had actually researched the Celtic Thunder of this article, she would have gone into the show knowing that they are not a “group”, they are all solo singers that /sometimes/ sing together if it fits the theme of the show. Because the six gentlemen in Celtic Thunder are solo singers, they each have a character that they portray with the songs they sing. The author of this article would have understood what was taking place on stage if she had actually bothered to do some proper research and not gone into the show with complete bias. Just because she was in a Celtic pub band does not mean she is all knowing when it comes to Celtic music and she greatly needs to understand that before reviewing any one else that is in the Celtic genre in any way, shape, or form or else they will also get biased reviews like the one that I’m posting this comment on, and it will not be fair at all to the musicians. Try again with a review when you genuinely know what you’re talking about.
What was wrong with Celtic Thunder? To Clean and Family Oriented for you? No Vulgar language or moves? You wouldn’t know a great Irish group if they come up and did a personal show for you!!!!
Are you for real!! Celtic Thunder is amazing and would spend $100 to see them. Write about something you know about and leave us young and old to enjoy there music. sorry but I don’t agree with your article at all.
I appreciate the fact that you are entitled to your opinion.
We the fans have watched these lads grown over the last 7 or so years. There are many of us Thunderheads and we are not all over 50. For some reason CT brings the fans closer. They may not sing what you like, but we Irish love hearing our music sung by them.
FUNNY that such a mediocre group has such a loyal fan base and are selling out concerts and CD s
You are as I said, entitled to your opinion, but I would advise you not to say anything in front of the fans you would never hear the end of it.
What are you talking about? You wouldn’t know good music if it fell on you. They are far more than a “bar band”! They are five very talented Irishmen and one from Scotland. They are all muscians/songwriters/singers. They give millions of fans hours of great entertainment and have won platinum album awards. I guess you think heavy metal is music well it’s not. I’d rather listen to CT than the rest of the crap the music industry spews out to corrupt people!
You do not understand Celtic Thunder at all. They are a great group of people and great musical talent!
We as fans totally adore these entertainers !!! They are worth every penny we pay for them!!! If this was your 1st occasion to see them! I feel you are far to critical of them! Maybe you are in your 20’s, if so you are into your own style of music! It’s your choice who you like but we and legions of fans love this boys!!!
Donna Dillon Salisbury, Md
Fat lot YOU know! Billboard’s #1 world group doesn’t impress you? Some people have no taste and wouldn’t know great entertainment if it bit them.
I don’t know what planet you come from but these guys are talented! Each man is unique.
if you don’t like the music this time around fine, but you need to get your ears checked!
You have a tin ear. This group is great. Talented great showman. That’s why they are number one.
Dear Madam,
Call me highly biased, but I think you’re missing the point of Celtic Thunder. I have been a fan from the beginning (2007-) and I have never been disappointed. The point is that there is something for everyone. The men who make up Celtic Thunder are brilliant singers, who mesh perfectly. Part of their charm and attraction is the fact that they all are so different.
You need to change your attitude and maybe spend a bit of time with some quality music before judging a show of Celtic Thunder’s caliber. Celtic Thunder is an amazing group of individuals who work together in perfect harmony while retaining their own personal shine.
I think you need a hearing aid…or a brain transplant!! They are a wonderful group of performers, who give of themselves each time. They have a huge fan base, all over the world..that I am sure any “Bar Band” like your would be terrified to play to. Don’t denigrate the best musicians on the basis of jealousy.
The charm of them is getting to know the guys. They tweet/ FB with their fans and post pics from their daily lives. They are always happy to sign autographs or take pics with their fans when we see them in public. And until Saturday evening hanging out by the busses before or after a show and hoping to meet your favorite guy for a few words and maybe a pic or autographs. They love their fans, they treat us well. Their producer on the other hand is a mean cow and I hate shelling out money when she is involved. But the boys I love they are great men so I am willing to pay (and drive 250 miles to the nearest show) to see them.
I am completely speechless and that never happens. I think the reviewer missed the whole essence of Celtic Thunder. “It is a feeling” The audience leaves with feel good warm sense to the core. As to there being no break out stars , Samantha needs to do her home work. Keith Harkin was the first artist signed by Verve records when David Foster took over leadership. Anyone heard of Josh Groban, Celin Deon and many others? Well David Foster gave them their start. He doesn’t work with people who don’t have TALENT. George Donaldson, Ryan Kelly, and Neil Byrne each have produced CD’s that contain many of their own compositions. Neil and Ryan also tavel to pubs performing as a duo. Emmet Cahill and Colm Kagen are both experienced performers and are developing their own duo act. Damian McGinty left the group when he WON THE GLEE PEOJECT and a spot on Glee. And Paul Byrom another alumni is starting his own solo career with his own PBS specials. Celtic Thunder has brought Joy and Happiness into my life. So If you have a chance to see a concert- Don’t Miss it!!
While I appreciate your opinion, I don’t think Celtic Thunder has ever tried to be a bar band and us fans (young & old) wouldn’t want them to be. I think what is so great about them is that I can take my entire family to see them and we all enjoy them. They are a common ground amongst all the generations, from great-grandma to great-grandson.
The artists perform solo gigs across the US & Canada as well, a lot of times in pubs. I recommend that you try to make one of those gigs so you can see how versatile these lads really are. I would like to see your review of them as individuals performers.
> George just released his Second album.
> Keith Harkin (the lad who sings Man of Constant Sorrow) is in the process of recording his second CD under the VERVE label (his first is the self titled “Keith Harkin’. (side note: Keith was the FIRST person signed to VERVE after David Foster took over as head of the label)
> Neil records as “Pale Blue Jak”, his “Faces” album is amazing.
> Ryan will be releasing his 2nd album very soon.
> Neil & Ryan also perform together as “Acoustic by Candlelight” and their duet album “Acoustically Irish” is due out on October 1st.
Colm & Emmet are fairly new to Celtic Thunder (those in the know just say CT) and I’m sure are in the process of working out just what they want for their solo albums.
You can also check all of them out here.
Colm Keegan (pronounced Column) – youtube.com/channel/UCWkIQKvzaTdXriAOypg1xeg
Emmet Cahill (pronouced Cawhill) – youtube.com/channel/UCn0PIUMHZwycQj8-Jd2g_yg
Neil Byrne – neilbyrnemusic.com & acousticbycandlelight.com & http://www.palebluejak.com
Keith Harkin – http://www.keithharkin.com
Ryan Kelly – ryankellymusic.com & acousticbycandlelight.com
George Donaldson – george-donaldson.com