Celtic Thunder - The Show Review

I had heard of Celtic Woman thru Debbie about a year ago.  They were okay but nothing to write home about.  Well, this spring Debbie was watching PBS and saw a show for Celtic Thunder--she says it's the male version of Celtic Woman.  She desperately wanted the CD but could not locate it.  She is not computer savvy nor would she ever even consider shopping online.  Well, her youngest daughter went online and purchased both the DVD and one of the CDs.  I then got the second CD today.

We went about the normal routine for the rest of the evening.  We visited with family.  We dispersed all the hugs and kisses we could and then we set about cleaning the kitchen.  After what seemed like forever Debbie goes into the dining room and gets her packages.  She wants to watch Celtic Thunder: The Show.  Well, after my experience with Celtic Woman I'm not too keen on watching it so I pull out a coloring book and proceed to color a picture for her granddaughter.  But I cannot concentrate because the music is mesmerizing and Debbie is constantly shrieking or balling; yes, she is in tears.

I stop what I am doing to see what is so fascinating and I am swept up into her enthusiasm.  Celtic Thunder is one awesome group.  They can sing and they look great too!  The group hails from Ireland and they range in age from 14 (Damian McGinty) to 40 (George Donaldson).  The other members of the group are Keith Harkin, Paul Byrom, and Ryan Kelly. 

My mother's family are direct descendants from Ireland.  My mother's parents and siblings immigrated to the United States just three months before her birth.  So, I have a fond endearment to the land of Ireland and its people.  But I never in my wildest dreams thought I would enjoy the music.  Not only will Celtic Thunder make you fall in love with Ireland.  It will make you appreciate your country. 

Celtic Thunder puts forth a power house performance during The Show .  I don't want to discuss too much of the lyrics or music because I want to save that for the CDs.  During The Show the producers, Sharon Browne and Phil Coulter give each man an opportunity to do some solo work and then they all perform together.  Their harmony is like none other.  And no Irish music is complete without the bagpipes.  When I hear the songs with the bagpipes I just start crying.  I don't know why but I do.  I got home around 4 this afternoon and put this CD in.  It is now 11:20 and I am still listening to the CD. 

The following is a list of songs that are performed live during Celtic Thunder: The Show.  All of these songs plus bonus tracks are also performed on the CDs. 

1. Heartland
2. The Mountains Of Mourne
3. Raggle Taggle Gypsy
4. Ride On
5. Come By The Hills (Buachaill On Eirne)
6. The Old Man
7. Love Thee Dearest
8. Heartbreaker
9. Nights In White Satin
10. A Bird Without Wings
11. The Voyage
12. The Island
13. Brothers In Arms
14. Mull Of Kintyre
15. Puppy Love
16. Lauren & I
17. Steal Away
18. Remember Me (Recuerdame)
19. My Boy
20. Desperado
21. Ireland's Call
22. That's A Woman
23. She
24. Young Love
25. I Wanna Know What Love Is
26. Cal/Local Hero
27. Caledonia
28. Yesterday's Men

The DVD has approximately 101 minutes play time.  By looking at the title tracks you can see that the songs range in style from the traditional Irish/Celtic folklores and some of the popular love songs of our time and yesteryear.  Many are drawn to Celtic Thunder because of the broad age range of band members. 

Teenagers may flock to them because of the sweet and yet mature Damian McGinty.  This boy can sing.  His bio says he is a member of his church choir and has already produced his first gospel CD.  His performances of Puppy Love and Young Love make your heart melt.  I loved Donnie Osmond and thought no one would ever sing Puppy Love as good as him.  Well, move over Donnie, there's a new kid in town. You will experience fits of laughter as you watch this kid perform.  If you close your eyes and just listen to him you will not believe you are listening to a boy of 14. 

George Donaldson is the balladeer.   Donaldson has the deep brogue of a baritone.  I love songs that tell stories.  Donaldson brings you to tears as you listen to him sing The Old Man and My Boy.  The Old Man is his tribute to his father.  You can't help but cry as you experience the pain and loss that Donaldson must be feeling. 

Okay, I don't want to go into too much detail about the songs since I am also going to review the CDs but I do want to share one more song that was just too funny in The Show.  Paul Byrom and Ryan Kelly perform That's A Woman.  Byrom begins the song by singing of all that is wonderful about a woman.  While singing he is swooning a lady.  In comes Kelly and he starts belittling the lady.  For every good and decent thing Byrom says Kelly rebuts it.  They begin debating about this lady back and forth until Kelly soon realizes he still loves the lady.  At the end of the song Kelly exits with the lady and Byrom is left standing there wondering what just happened.

If you want to be wonderfully and beautifully entertained then I would highly recommend Celtic Thunder: The Show.  You can order their music from their website CelticThunder.com and I also searched Amazon and found both CDs, the DVD, and some other Irish/Celtic-style music.  The prices from amazon.com to CelticThunder.com range from $.10.95-25.99 plus each websites shipping and handling fees.