Customer Reviews

High Kings (Dig)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this CD without hearing one song or knowing anything more about it than it came from producer David Downes who has done magnificent things with his Celtic Woman. I figured that if it was half as entertaining as Celtic Woman I would have spent my money wisely; I love it when I am right.

These four men have beautiful voices and they blend together seamlessly and perfectly. From the first song, Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore, I was completely and happily won over. I recognized that song from the show, Riverdance, which I saw this last summer and it immediately had me smiling.

The comparison between The High Kings and Celtic Woman is inevitable. The differences, besides the obvious ones brought on by gender, are huge, but the results are the same, I think; great music. Is one better than the other? No, I think I will enjoy them with same amount of enthusiasm and admiration.

Where the Celtic WomEn's voices are accompanied by more musical instruments and choral groups, The High Kings arrangements, to me, are simpler. The main focal point is always on their voices and the musical accompaniment is kept uncomplicated and occasionally there is no music at all, except their voices.

The CD is an interesting combination of classic traditional Irish songs, and some new classics. Each song lends its own feel and leaves its own impression on this CD and its listener, the combination of songs is the perfect introduction to these four men.

My favorites:

The Black Velvet Band - is a traditional Irish tune that has long been a favorite of mine in any incarnation. I have been singing this song for the past two days, I love their version and their voices go fabulously along with mine in the car. ;)

The Rocky Road to Dublin - is a fast paced song that makes it absolutely impossible not to tap your feet or hands along with the beat.

The Wild Rover - This is a live version, The High Kings singing, a fiddler doing his best and the entire audience clapping along. My son and I listen to this over and over in the car clapping and singing along; he categorizes this as "cool Leprechaun music."

I really do love this CD and know it will be playing in the background while my family eats the St. Patrick's Day feast I prepare this year. While all the songs are wonderful and inspire a different mood in me, I admit it's the songs with a lot of fiddle and energy that speak to my inner fairy and makes her dance and smile. Enjoy!

And for Finnbar, Martin, Brian and Darren: Ceapaim go bhfuilim i ngrá! ;)

A New Journey
Celtic Woman
Riverdance: Music From The Show

Cherise Everhard, March 2008

I'm a little bit cautious when I buy music, but when I saw that David Downes' name was on this group, I didn't hesitate. I think by now a lot of people associate David's work with Celtic Woman. He seems to have a knack for putting talented people together and creating incredible melodies that, after having heard the song only once, will be singing in your head throughout the day. While these songs have been around for quite a while, they are renewed afresh because of the men who sing them and the arrangements that were customized for these men's vocal talents.

Those who enjoy the harmonies of Celtic Woman have no excuse for not liking or appreciating the music of The High Kings. Classic ballads are tastefully made modern, and other folk melodies are kept folk with a touch of funk.

In an album that has been touched by David Downes, it is difficult to eliminate any song from a "Favorite" list. But, in my opinion, some of the catchiest tunes are from "Rocky Road to Dublin", "Wild Rover", and "Jimmy Murphy" (good luck with the chorus- those who have heard the album know exactly what I'm talking about). And the breath-taking beauty of Celtic history is found in the melodious harmonies in "Black Velvet Band" and "Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore".

In short, this is an album suitable for children of all ages, for people of all races. This is not music that is targeted for one specific group of people. These songs will make you laugh; they will make you cry. There is something in this album that, again, in my opinion, can appeal to anyone, no matter what background or history. The wonderful combination of the harmonies, and personalities of the men emanating through the music, is what makes this album appealing for all people of all walks of life.

Having had grandparents born in Ireland I have been a fan of Irish music my entire life. The talent that has been brought together for this production is truely unsurpassed. The musicians and vocals are seamed together perfectly to delight the most discriminating listener. I witnessed this being performed on PBS. The DVD version is also available and will give you a visual experience that you will not soon forget.

I bought this CD after hearing the High Kings on PBS. It is a beautiful album song by four young men with glorious voices that will appeal to all music lovers whether you enjoy Irish music or not. It is Grammy material, what a pleasure to hear real artists sing - they are sooo good.
The harmony on Go Lassie Go is outstanding, as is the lovely Parting Glass.

It just so happened, as I was listening to some good ol' Liam Clancy around St. Paddy's Day, that the High Kings appeared on the Today show, and I loved their sound. Their voices meld beautifully together, and it's good ol' Irish tunes they're singing--along with one or two contemporary, such as "Galway to Graceland," which is poignantly rendered. These are vocalists who understand the power of the human voice as instrument. Just listen to a few of the samples and you'll hear what I mean. Then buy the CD. A warning about putting these tunes on your iPod--you may find yourself dancing....

Like many others I was deeply saddened to hear of Liam Clancy's death on December 3, 2009. But then I discovered that one of the members of the High Kings, Finbarr Clancy, was Liam's nephew and had played on stage with his father Bobbby and his uncles many times. Indeed most if not all the rest of this Irish quartette had at one time or another played alongside the Clancies on stage. So I was delighted to discover their self-titled debut album right here on Amazon. I purchased it after hearing some of the videos from their DVD.
The High Kings combine traditional Irish tunes with their own unique style as well as some songs of their own creation. Every song on this album is great, although I do tend to skip Galway to Graceland somewhat more often than not. But the harmonies achieved by these four men are enough to send chills down my spine. Standout tracks for me are Black Velvet Band (although they shortened it by a few verses here), Marie's Wedding, Fields of Glory, The Little Beggarman, Ar Eireann ni Neosainn Ce Hi (a beautiful Gaelic tune sung first in Gaelic and then in English)), The Auld Triangle, The Wild Rover and The Parting Glass. This last is done in the same triumphantly beautiful style as the Shaun Davey version used during the end credits of Waking Ned Devine. Personally though I think they should have closed the album out with this track, but this is a minor complaint. It's followed by a live version of one of my favorite Scots Irish tunes, The Wild Rover. So all in all this is an excellent album and I look forward to anything else the Kings send our way.

One of the best new groups to come out of Ireland. Their harmonies ,solo voices and back ground music is fantastic.
Their rendition of THE PARTING GLASS is the finest I have heard. Just when you think the song is winding down ,in march the bagpipers that take you to a higher level. Look forward to hearing more from this incredible group.

Alas, the sticker on the label might have said it all. "From the producer of Celtic Women!" And this was to have enticed me? Apparently, it succeeded because buy it I did. The photos in and outside of the jacket might have told the tale: Something manufactured here. The scarves tied a little too neatly....do the gentleman play the instruments they are holding on the cover, or were they just given to them to look authentic? The music, unfortunately, resonates much the same way. Or should I say reverberates? Be wary of production qualities that turn up the echo. Way too "new agey" to hail from the land of O'Casey and Synge. Their voices technically perfect, but no testosterone. I ordered Guiness but got O'Douls. How do you say N'Synch in gaelic?

Wherever was I hiding that it took me three+ years to find these guys? They are the real thing. I think this might be even better than the later "Memory Lane" which I bought immediately after hearing this CD. Even if you have not a drop of Celtic blood, how could you not love the amazing harmonies of "The Auld Triangle" or "Will Ye Go Lassie, Go?" I don't even drink, but am absolutely in love with "The Parting Glass." Really good instrumentals on both albums as well---guitars, whistles, violins, banjos and pipes.

I've heard these guys on Youtube doing their special in Dublin and they are just fantastic. I was excited to see they have CDs out. While I prefer the way they performed a few of the songs on the video special more than on this CD, it is well worth the cost and very well done.