Celtic Thunder - Atlanta Show

[creativeaccents]

The wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the Celtic Thunder performance here. Each of the performers is incredibly talented and together they create a harmony that is dead on. Even the back-up musicians were excellent. Together, they all delivered a show that was well worth the cost, especially as we were also able to contribute to PBS as a part of the package.

What did strike us was that by this point in their tour, after delivering the same performance every few days, the songs were well sung, but lacking a tad in excitement or, how do I best say this, real involvement with the audience. Imagine singing the same songs every few nights while travelling for months on end.

Celtic Thunder grew out of the Success of Celtic Woman and was produced by the same woman. Somehow, I doubt they they will continue as a group after this series. If they do, it would be great to have more of the traditional music, a LOT more opportunity for self expression, and more interaction.

Essentially, they came out, sang through the routine, i.e., the songs on the PBS show, and left.

[cloves]

they have two cd's and a dvd....i'd say they are doing pretty well. What makes you think they won't survive very long?

[turpin]

I'd agee with CA's assessment of the show. Great harmonizing and the audience (heavily female of all ages) was really into the Brad Pitt look-alike, but a bit rote. I am coveting a black TFCK, worn by the male accompanists.

[george7]

They'll be at my university soon, but cheap seats are just over $100... I don't think the target price was meant to appeal to students.

[gilmore]

I'd agee with CA's assessment of the show. Great harmonizing ... but a bit rote. ...

That was close to my take on Battlefield Band when they were here last spring: very tight, very well-rehearsed, but more like a rehearsal than a concert. That is, going through the motions very well, but little rapport with the audience, and a kind of wooden performance.

Is this a Scots thing? Are we Americans used to a less repressed, more dynamic stage shows?

[Spartan]

They'll be at my university soon, but cheap seats are just over $100... I don't think the target price was meant to appeal to students.

YIKES! They will be here in Phoenix Nov 28. The seats are in the $35-55 range (plus fees, taxes, etc.)

[creativeaccents]

they have two cd's and a dvd....i'd say they are doing pretty well. What makes you think they won't survive very long?

Every individual contributor in the group is extremely good. Absolutely no doubt about that! Even as a group, they deliver some beautiful music. However, it is my impression, based upon reading each of their own bios and the way the auditioning was done to put together the act, that they were assembled primarily to deliver the show. That isn't meant as a negation of their abilities, but simply recognizing that my impression is that they were never developed as a group to be a long term proposition.
They may well have a go at a rerun with new material.

Trouble is, they are not being given the ability to each contribute to the max with their true abilities or to even entertain in a dynamic way that I think they are capable of, i.e., interacting with the audience, playing around, showing us their personalities, ad libbing, etc..

I would LOVE to see them go "off script" and get into some other materials. Each of them has been very successful in their own musical areas, such as the classic celtic folk music. Imagine singing the very same songs repeatedly and songs that were selected for the "cute factor" or to appeal to the "Brad Pit" draw. Some of the deliveries and selections reminded me of a "Lawrence Welk" appeal. Is "Puppy Love" something the 14 year old would have chosen himself...or the least bit Celtic?

Thing is, given a bit of latitude and the ability to break out, I bet these guys could blow the roof off!