Celtic Thunder - Take Me Home
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CD Details
Artist: Celtic ThunderEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-07-14
Music Label: Celtic Thunder Ltd
Soundtracks:
- The Homes Of Donegal
- Working Man
- Every Breath You Take
- Belfast Polka/Pennsylvania Railroad
- Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen
- Steal Away - From Celtic Thunder
- Because We Believe
- Wichita Lineman
- Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
- Green Fields Of France
- Midnight Well
- Appalachian Round Up
- I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
- You Raise Me Up
- Take Me Home
Music reviews of Take Me Home
Music Review: Celtic Thunder scores again!!
Rating: 5 Stars
I have been awaiting the new Celtic Thunder CD, Take Me Home, anxiously ever since I heard of its imminent release. I've just been itching to get my hands on it and could barely restrain myself from ordering the whole thing when it popped up on iTunes a few hours early. Even ripping open the packaging of the CD made me smile as my eyes fell on the graphics of the gentlemen I've so enjoyed following over the past year. The CD brings two new solos for each vocalist, as well as three ensemble numbers and two instrumental pieces.
As always, the show shines in its ensemble numbers. Steal Away, an old favorite that used to showcase Paul, now brings Damian to the forefront with George accompanying on guitar. I'm not sure I could say whether I like the "old" or the "new" Steal Away better. This new one seems more gentle in a way, a spell you're afraid will break if you breathe. Take Me Home, a Coulter original, is a catchy tune that gets in your head and won't get out. The melody bounces from soloist to soloist through the verses, and when they break into beautiful harmony, it is magic. I've saved Green Fields of France for last. This is truly lovely... the sentiment is poignant, and the men of Celtic Thunder treat it with a tenderness that brings tears to your eyes. Again, when they move into harmony, you're torn between listening breathlessly and exclaiming "Oh my gosh, I love this show so much!!!!" DON'T miss this one.
Damian McGinty brings us two 'new' songs from Neil Sedaka. Gone is the sweet little 14-year-old boy fans fell in love with on Celtic Thunder's debut. In his place, we find a 16-year-old dream, more mature both in face and voice. With Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Damian bounces through the tune, still keeping fans enthralled with his teenager role. He is utterly charming! Damian moves on to steal hearts, young and old alike, with Breaking Up is Hard to Do. What girl could resist such entreaty as pours forth from his lips??
George Donaldson makes this CD. He begins with a Rita McNeil song, Working Man. As ever, George sings it with a softness that tugs insistently at your heart. Hearing his brogue come through his phrasing always makes me smile. But, it's on I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) that George really explodes with energy. After countless listens, I am convinced that it is physically impossible to listen to him sing this song without breaking out with a huge grin on your face. Your feet tap, your fingers snap, and you develop a strange need to start snapping and leaning. George is infectious, entertaining, and delightful!
Keith Harkin continues to bring his lilty goodness to the recording. Keith buckles knees and melts hearts everywhere with Wichita Lineman. Keith is always enjoyable to listen to, no matter what he sings, with a tone that is unique and beautiful to the ear. Keith begins the entire CD with The Homes of Donegal, an Irish ballad from the '50s. This piece is a great showcase for Keith's strengths. Lilt, lilt, lilt. This is always the word that pops into my head when I think of Keith Harkin. Homes of Donegal really allows that lilt to shine and have free rein. I love it!
Paul Byrom carries on his tradition of presenting one of the most beautiful male voices I've ever heard in my life. He begins with Because We Believe, a gorgeous piece that showcases his classical training. Listening to Paul sing Italian makes my heart melt. The power that ebbs and flows through his phrasing is a wonder to behold. He carries on that power with You Raise Me Up. One would think that this song has probably been covered enough times... until you listen to Paul sing it. He begins with a controlled softness and tenderness that is perhaps one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard (Yes, I know I said that already... but it's true!). You think this tenderness is going to be the entire song, and you are quite happy with that... until Paul bursts into the power that is the last chorus and you nearly fall off your chair as the strength of his voice hits you full-force. WOW!
Ryan Kelly solidifies his Bad Boy/Heartbreaker image with two heartracing pieces. First, he prowls through The Police's Every Breath You Take. His husky voice nearly makes you forget its a bit of a stalker song and you become quite alright with his desire to be watching you. Absolutely mesmerizing. He moves on to sing Midnight Well, a song written for him by Phil Coulter. OH MYLANTA. I do not... I repeat, I DO NOT recommend driving while listening to this song. You WILL be pulled over for excessive speeding. The latin rhythms in the piece are a perfect complement to the smoky sexyness of Ryan's voice and ability to bring a song to life. You can literally see him singing this song in your head... and it is a picture you don't want to let go! BRILLIANT!
Finally, Phil Coulter presents two instrumental tracks showcasing the Celtic Thunder Band. Both are catchy pieces that make you want to get up and dance. Those who have seen the show's Spring Tour or their newly released Take Me Home DVD will be hard-pressed NOT to copy the hops in Belfast Polka or twirl across an imaginary stage in Appalachian Round-Up. Excellent!
All in all, this is a CD that you won't want to miss adding to your collection. Whether you are a longtime Celtic Thunder fan or have just stumbled across them, you will find the soloists who comprise this group to be professionals of the highest quality. While widely varied in style, they come together to create harmonies which make you catch your breath in wonder... and then spring apart to present solo pieces which provide a bit of something for everyone.
Don't miss it!
Description of Take Me Home
The new studio CD features 15 songs/14 never before on CD!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 April 21st '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.
The new CD of "Celtic Thunder - Take Me Home" is also all new songs not featured on previous CD's. It will have 5 songs that are not on either the Pledge TV show or the new DVD. These are "Homes of Donegal" and "Wichita Lineman" from Keith, "Because We Believe" by Paul, a new original "Midnight Run" with Ryan and all of them in "Green Fields of France." All of us at Celtic Thunder hope that our new show "Celtic Thunder - Take Me Home" available from WLIW for the June Pledge - along with the new CD and DVD of "Celtic Thunder - Take Me Home" as new premiums to offer members are successful for Public Television this June and beyond and help bring in much needed revenues in these difficult times!
Also available: A DVD with a running time of almost 2 hours features 13 new Celtic Thunder performances!
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