Customer Reviews

The Irish Tenors - Ellis Island

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Typically outstanding in their songstry-work, the Irish Tenors gave a memorable performance in March, 2001, in the Great Assembly Hall at Ellis Island, NY.
I have a CD of the performance and find it better than the video. Two points struck me while seeing the VHS as opposed to the CD: (1) Acoustically, the CD seems richer and more demonstrative of the three voices than did the audio on the VHS. I presume this is because the CD was recorded in a studio and the VHS was in concert at the Island -- blended in cuts from several performances. Clearly, acoustics in the Hall were inferior to other live performences in architecturally-intended performance structures in Ireland. (2) The NY audience did not, IMHO, enthuse as had audiences in Dublin and Belfast (why am I not surprised?). The "magic" chemistry btwn performers and hearers just didn't seem the same at Ellis Island. The performers' eyes and body english suggested they saw this difference, too.
Nevertheless, it was a grand experience for me and I hope for future teaming by these three expert minstrels.

As a matter unrelated to the performance -- but immensely moving to me -- the VHS's opening credit footage, when scanning across the water and to NYC's skyline showed two tall towers there, gleaming in a westering sun. Now they are no more. No one can see that scene without a profound sense of loss.

Long a fan of Irish music, I have turned to a series of artists to satiate my appetite. Bing Crosby and John McCormick have been succeeded by the Irish Tenors.

This CD has a bit more of an Irish American theme as "Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears" and "God Bless America" illustrate. Interspersed among these tunes are traditional Irish tunes such as "Macushla" and "Croppy Boy", along with newer songs, such as "The Green Fields Of France" and "How are Things In Glocca Morra?"

The singing is excellent, the words understandable. I appreciate the inclusion the lyrics of the songs contained on the insert of the cover. These are songs you will want to learn, whose stories you will want to research. I have. Listen again and again!

Have waited a long time for this to come out on dvd, the sound and picture are so much better than the video. I love everything that the Tenors sing, this is a concert with a difference, as it tells the story of Ellis Island. Martin Sheen is excellent, his own Mother came from Ireland.
My favourites have to be Love thee Dearest, Green Fields of France,Danny Boy, The Croppy Boy, Forty Shades of Green, in fact I like every song.Parts of it make me laugh, The Irish medley and Courting medley, some of it makes me cry, like nearer my God or Love thee Dearest, I 'm sure anyone would enjoy this concert,if they are not already fans of the Irish Tenors I'm sure they soon will be.

I think that the Irish tenors Ellis Island CD is great. They are better then before. The rich vocies of Anthony,Roana and Finbar. I am telling all who haven`t yet saw it please go and watch it. You`ll love it.I promise you.

As a child I listened to stories of emigrants who arrived at Ellisland. Leaving homeland, family and friends maybe never to see them again. Sometimes they lost touch with their families fo make it easier for them to settle in this beautiful large country. A lot of songs were written about it. The lyrics came across as haunting and beautiful. You could feel the lonliness of those people some only 14 years. It is a wonderful Tribute to Ellis Island.

Although Ronan, Finbar, Anthony, and Frank hit home runs, the sound engineers were a little sloppy. In many sections of the DVD the audio/video sync is very slightly off. It is not distracting, but it is noticeable. A little more troubling is the sound quality. It lacks the bold presence of a live performance. Again, not distracting, but noticeable.

Overall, it is a "must have" for any Irish Tenors collection.

the Irish Tenors at Ellis Island was a great tape I enjoyed it very much as my grandparents entered from Ellis Island it was like seeing them coming Great tape glad I bought it Jeanne S and thank you Amazon for great service

Totally satisfied. Quality impeccable and I received the shipment very quickly after submitting order. Highly recommend.

If you are an Irish Tenors fan, this is a must. The songs are warm, touching, funny, and at times, somber. These three voices blend so well! I highly recommend this video to you.

The sound quality on this DVD is poor. Maybe it's because I got the DVD used because it is out of print. Maybe it's because Registration Hall at Ellis Island is not built for concerts. It is a nice, nostalgic concert, however, for Ellis Island and Irish Tenor fans.