Customer Reviews

Michael Flatley's Celtic Tiger

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

 

 

I saw Michael Flatley in Lord of the Dance on its very first American tour. It was just amazing! I vowed I would see Michael dance again and Celtic Tiger was my chance. I was forth row dead center at the Anehiem Pond arena in CA. I was in tears after each number! The show and music is amazing. The song, ST PATRICK (ANGELUS) gives you chills. When translated, the lyrics say, "Come Lord Jesus, Let all humanity rejoice, And in the name of the Father, Let Thy will be done" etc. The song is dark and gothic but the words and tone of it just give you chills. The second song, THE VIKINGS, is a powerful song with a beautiful melody. THE GARDEN OF EDEN is a sweet song with a very light tempo. THE REDCOATS is a simple Irish tune accompanied by a flute. THE FAMINE is a dark, painfully sad tune but has beautiful words. When translated they are, "For mercy sake help us, God help us, For mercy sake, For God's sake help us." THE BANSHEE/A NATION ONCE AGAIN starts with a haunting melody then becomes a song of freedom as the entire cast sings along with it. FREEDOM is a modern tune that makes you want to dance. It also has a little strip tease tune in it. A NEW WORLD is a song with different sections in it. It has latin, hip hop, ballet, ballroom and Irish. THE LAST ROSE is a flute solo played by Michael and is a beautiful love melody. CELTIC KITTENS is a fast and enchanting violin piece. CAPONE is a sexy, old fashioned jazz-tap number that makes you tap your feet and snap your fingers. Finally, THE CELTIC TIGER is an electric guitar based tune with the sound of the Irish dancer's tap beats in the background. I just love the cd and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a variety of deep and fun tunes!

The show itself was okay and this soundtrack leaves you feeling the same. However, anyone that refers to this as repackaged material is off a step. Hardiman's latest work is quite different from his compositions for Lord of the Dance or Feet of Flames. The music to Celtic Tiger, while not bad, sounds more appropriate for a movie than a dance show.

Don't expect to buy this and hear something along the lines of the toe-tapping music on nearly every track like Flatley's previous shows. I was also disappointed to see they removed two key tunes from this album that were pivotal in the show; "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Both were finale numbers in the show itself and neither found its way to the cd. Why the two most invigorating pieces from the show were left in limbo is beyond me. On a good day, this cd is average at best.

Once again, Ronan Hardiman has produced the perfect soundtrack for Michael Flatley`s score. If you buy it before you see the show, it`ll leave an anxious taste in your mouth. If you buy it after, you`ll want to see it again, many times. Brilliant is an understatement.

After listening to the soundtrack of Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames, Celtic Tiger is in some ways the "same old music", but in other ways, very different and original and seems to have something that the previous three soundtracks lack. This CD doesn't just give you modern Celtic music; it goes through all of the stages of music in our time, from Celtic, classical, hip-hop, jazz, rock, pop etc. As the CD progresses, the music goes from soft and traditional to more modern, and more diverse as it explores different genres of music. So, contrary to what someone said, Celtic Tiger isn't what you would expect and it's not what you heard before. In fact, I was planning on not buying it, after seeing how it wasn't going to be another Lord of the Dance. This CD is like the others, but for the most part, stands from the others.

To give you a better idea, here's a breakdown by song:

ST. PATRICK (ANGULUS): Remember how in the past, there would be one song on the CDs mentioned above, that was sung in another language (for example, Shivna in Riverdance, High Priests and Hell's Kitchen in Feet of Flames, and the chorus to Sula Ruin in Lord of the Dance)? Well, here's your song for Celtic Tiger. This song is not sung in the English language(I'm positive it's Latin). When translated, you will see that the song has a religious theme to it(in the show, Celtic Tiger, the song was about the beginning of Roman Catholicism in Ireland). The song is also very dark, and sounds gothic but it's pretty good. It sends chills down your spine.
THE VIKINGS: This song, like a lot of the other songs on here, starts off slow and calm, and then as it progresses gets stronger and stronger till it hits a climax. In this song, they use the same tune over and over again for about 75% of the song, and the tune gets stronger and stronger as time passes (get it?). This works well with this song, and this is one of my personal favorites on the CD.
THE GARDEN OF EDEN: Now this is my favorite song on here. Now, that's something unusual for me to say, since I usually don't care for the slower songs. But I really do love this song, it sort of reminds me of Celtic Dream from LOTD. It's sort of a meditation song. How do I describe this song? Well, if there's a song that plays in Heaven, then the song would probably sound kind of like this.
THE REDCOATS: Another personal favorite, starting with drums, and then the rest of the song is Michael Flatley on flute along with many other instruments (the violin, fiddle, drum, bell, and even piano). The beginning is very sweet, but the end is very energetic.
THE FAMINE: Another vocal in another language (I'm guessing...Gaelic?). Once again, when translated, there is some religious theme in the song. The emotions that you find in the song is desperation, sadness and fear so it's another song on the darker side.
THE BANSHEE/A NATION ONCE AGAIN: This is a very confusing little song. The first part of the song, it's just a woman crying--like a banshee. ( Yes, this song is one of the weaker ones. In fact I would go as far as to say that the CD wouldn't suffer if this song was taken out). And THEN, three minutes into the song, they start singing "A Naaaaation Oooonce Agaaaain!" Very, confusing, and very random, since the vocal just came out of nowhere. But, it did help the song.
FREEDOM: Now this song is the beginning of the "modern songs" on here. But I have to warn you: this song is pretty....random. First it starts off with a nice, soft fiddle tune and then out of nowhere, it's replaced with this disco, 70's-type music, and then once again, it's randomly replaced with this strip tease tune. Yes, this song is indeed very random, and...amusing.
A NEW WORLD: Another song that explores different types of music besides Celtic. You will listen to flamenco music, jazz, hip-hop, ballet and ballroom music, and then finally, the song will finish with this poppish Celtic tune that is very enjoyable to listen to.
THE LAST ROSE: This is another song with Flately on flute. The song sounds very sad, light, soft, and it reminds me of Whispering Wind from Feet of Flames. It's a beautiful song, but there's one problem: this song is very ill placed in the sequence of tracks on this CD. The song doesn't fit in at all and kind of throws you off, leaving you a little confused.
CELTIC KITTENS: What a cute title for an equally lovely song! It's a mix of Celtic violin and this modern poppish dance beat and the results are very good. It's another personal favorite and don't be surprised if you find yourself dancing to it.
CAPONE: This is another personal favorite. Completely straying away from being anything that has to do with Celtic music, this is, for the most part, a jazz number. It's...cool, and sexy, and fast and almost perfect.
CELTIC TIGER: This song finishes the CD, with electic guitar with tapping feet in the background. It's very energetic, and for the most part, pretty good.

In conclusion: I was left with very little disappointments! Surprisesm yes (from all of the random songs) but for the most part, I don't regret buying this CD! If you're a person who's as passionate about music as I am, then I recommend you get this CD. You'll love it.

All I have to say is that after seeing the show on television, I had to immediatley purchase this album. Although, I didn't buy it from Amazon.com, they feature a great price on it... The music is pure and authentic and a very good listen.

This was the best show i have ever seen plus a fantastic soundtrack.THE BEST PART WAS I ACTUALLY GOT TO SEE MICHAEL FLATLEY LIVE WHICH HAS BEEN MY DREAM SINCE FOREVER!!!!!!!! I'm an irish dancer and would love to be in this show when i'm old enough!!!!

Very disappointing - Nothing like Riverdance Would not recommend and I am avid fan

I just want to say that this show, like his previous, is AMAZING.
And the soundtrack is the same. For most of you reviewers before me, who rated this low, I ask why ? If you just like rhythmic toe tapping then i agree, this is not for you, but how can M Flatley have a non stop irish gig? This show deals with the struggles, and many deaths of the Irish people. So i ask, how can he be upbeat and smiling the whole show ? If you just want to see tap dance for 2 hours, please, do look elsewhere.
But if you want QUALITY and have ANY interest in TRUE Irish heritage, and history, you will love this CD.
If you just want to see Irish dancers flailing about, go see RIVERDANCE, or any of the "Other Up and comers". And when the Dust settles, it will be Michael Flatley creating that dust,
and working on ANOTHER great project.

I love anything Michael Flatley does he is the best Irish dancer in the whole wide world. He was born to dance. He has made my dreams come true by coming back to dance.

Michael Flatley's feet fly like a racehorse, but he is really a one trick pony. Now, if you like that one trick, you will like this (and every other) cd,and stageshow of his. If you are looking for something new, a progression of creativity, and expression, look elsewhere.
When Riverdance first appeared, I was a fan of the inovative blending of Broadway, traditional Irish step dancing, and new age mysticism. And The talent of all involved is undeniable.
But after other troops appear imitating the idea,and doing so almost as well. You must wonder why this artist deserves the loyalty of consumers buying the same , repackaged material over and over again.
Darwin would say that those things that don't evolve and adapt will become extinct. Unfortunately, it appears to be a slow lumbering death,for the thundering feet of this dinosaur.