Customer Reviews

Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am 15 years old and I remember the first time I heard this music only a year from now. When I heard Cry of the Celts for the first time, I knew I had to get the CD. No regrets at all, because this music is just wonderful, and a year later, I still listen to it with fresh ears.

Here's my opinion of each song:
1. CRY OF THE CELTS: This was the first song I heard from this CD at a neighbor's house, and I fell in love wiht it instantly. It's one of my favorites on the CD, and even if it starts off with a strange beginning, it gets better as the song progresses. Love the flute part of the song.
2. SULA RUIN: A Celtic vocal, with lovely lyrics
3. CELTIC DREAM: To be honest with you, when I first heard this song, I was completely annoyed and tired of this repetitive, slow, tiring music. But, now, I love it, a lot, and the music is beautiful. It really calms you down, and I could play this at night, it sounds like a heavenly lullaby. Beautiful music, but takes patience to listen to completely.
4. WARRIORS: This was one of the best on the CD, my third favorite in fact. Each part was wonderful and special, but the last part of the song will have to be my favorite. I could dance to this song over and over!
5. GYPSY: This song is definitely my favorite song out of the entire CD and I could play it over and over, without ever getting tired of its breathtaking music. It sounds so sensuous, so beautiful. The only problem I have with this one, is that it's too short, and I wish they could have added a little more to this song.
6. BREAKOUT: One of the best in the CD. I didn't like how it started,but it gets MUCH better as the song progresses. I watched the Lord of the Dance video, and my opinion: This would sound much better, with the taps.
7. LORD OF THE DANCE: It's pretty good, and I'd say it's great, and once again, not the best of beginnings but, gets better as the song continues.
8. SPIRIT IN THE NEW WORLD: Honestly, what the heck is this?This is supposed to be a song? Basically the only disappointment, I almost always skip this song. The only good thing about this song is that it only last one minute and ten seconds...
9. FIERY NIGHTS: I'm still trying to figure out how saxophone music got mingled in here with Celtic music, but okay...They still manage to make it sound good, surprisingly, and even though it may not be my top favorites, i still enjoy it every now and then.
10. LAMENT: This song is strictly violin music. Very deep, emotional, okay.
11.SIAMSA: I listen to this song a lot lately. I like how there's so many moods to this song, and as the song progresses, it just gets better and better. It's just too modern for me though.
12. OUR WEDDING DAY: Why this song? On Lord of the Dance, they had another song called, "She Moved Through the Fair". That song was much better than this one.
13. STOLEN KISS: The first part of the song is so sweet, but the second half of the song, sounds rather familiar...
14. NIGHTMARE: Good song, and rather dark and haunting. You could almost feel chills through your body from the song.
15. VICTORY: The song is good altogether,and I love the grand beginning as much as I love the second part. The song is just fantastic and energetic and almost perfect.
16 and 17 is Cry of the Celts and Lord of the Dance with taps. The taps help me to imagine the dancers crystal clear, and it's very good.

In conclusion, this CD left me with very little disappointments, and no regrets, and if you love music full of energy and emotion, you'll love this music without a doubt.

Well, I saw "Riverdance" this week and without comparing the dancing in the two shows (since I could never do any of it), I really like Ronan Hardiman's music for "Lord of the Dance" a lot better. From the opening track "Cry of the Celts" you get the feel of listening to an Irish band cooking in a pub someplace. Hardiman offers up a rich diversity of tunes, from the ephemeral "Celtic Dream" (that reminds me of the Nutcracker for some reason) to the pounding rhythms of "Warriors." I wish "Gypsy" were longer, because that is probably my favorite track. Hardiman himself provides the keyboard/programming for this wonderful mix of ancient sounds with modern technology. After all, who thinks of Irish music with a saxophone like you have on "Fiery Nights?" It is usually Uilleann Pipes and serious fiddle playing, both of which abound on this album. The two bonus tracks featuring the solo taps of Michael Flatley with the Lord of the Dance troupe are enough for the CD; you can always put on the video to hear more of the same, but I would think that after a while you can really just hear the tapping in your mind all the time anyway. Yes, you will enjoy this music more having seen the show, but I actually enjoyed listening to this CD for months before I bothered to check out the tape.

My daughter is an Irish step dancer, and we've seen the traveling LOTD show. Her school performs to many of the songs. We also own the LOTD dvd. I just bought this disc for her for her birthday, and it is AWESOME...listening to it gives me goosebumps.

My only negative comment is that the disc does not include all the songs from the show. In particular, the fiddle duet "Strings of Fire" is not there, which is one of my favorite parts of the show.

Otherwise, I highly recommend it. I dare you to sit still while listening!

I am an avid LotD fan, and have seen it live numerous times. If you can't see it in person, this is the next best thing. The music on this soundtrack takes you from fast-paced, energetic, upbeat tempos that make you want to dance till you drop, to slow, melodic, relaxing songs that make you ponder the world around you. There is someting on this CD for everyone - I have given this CD as a gift to 12 people, ranging in ages from 9 to 86, and every single one finds a song that touches them. The music is unlike any other celtic music to date, and is a must buy for everyone. You will not be sorry!

Wonderful music--I love every track! (Except "Spirit in the New World"--what's it even doing on here? In a word, ugh.) For those who un-expertly enjoy Celtic music (I can't speak for the experts because I'm not one), buy this CD today--you'll be glad you did! However, does anybody realize that this is actualy the re-telling of an Irish legend? And am I the only one who cares about that? I thought the folklore and the conflict between Don Dorcha (the Dark Lord) and the Lord of the Dance added to the awesomeness of the music and the tapping, but maybe I'm the only one who really saw the STORY behind the show... And to those who say that this is nothing more than a "Michael Flatley Show"--isn't it supposed to be? Look, the guy may be arrogant and the guy may drive you crazy, but no one can doubt that he can dance. At first his apparent conceit really bothered me, too, but I decided that I wouldn't let it keep me from completely enjoying The Lord of the Dance. He is, after all! Besides, I'd say at least a small part of that "arrogance" is what would be better called "stage presence." It makes watching so much more enjoyable when the performer obviously loves what he does! And remember, all the greats have their era. Let him enjoy his to the fullest extent. HE IS AWESOME!

Great CD in its own right, but not as good as Ronan Hardiman's other compositions such as Solas or Anthem. Also, DO NOT buy this CD with Feet of Flames - you will think you paid twice for the same material...and you would be right.

The moment I watched the Lord of the Dance video I knew I had to buy the CD. It's one of those rare albums where you want to replay every track over and over again. Ronan Hardiman's music is simply exhilerating, and it is difficult for one not to tap their feet to the beats of the music. It would have been good for 'Strings of Fire' to have been included on this album, but I know now it is included on the new Feet of Flames album which is just as good. I saw Lord of the Dance live in Bournemouth in August and that was amazing as well.

I am a dancer and i have always loved any type of dance or musical, and when i got the video, i watched six times the first day. I am not an experton Celtic music, but i can tell you that if you are looking for pure Celtic music, this is not it. It is not supposed to be pure Celtic music, it is a new and bold spectacular that any one with half of a sense of style or any love for music, theater, or dance would find irresistible. Though i love all of the Celtic dance shows (Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Riverdance II, and others), i think that they are all missing an essential element; the taps. Being a dancer, i have to know what is going on. I want to be able to listen to the action, not just the music. I am also not too happy that at least three or four songs were left off. They complete the show. The cd is still worth having, but just know what to expect. As for all of you uncultured and half-brained morons who think that this is worthless, you obviously have no taste. I don't mean to be rude to your personality, but you really don't know what you are talking about. THIS IS A MUST HAVE. If you really want to know what the whole thing is like, and why i watched it six times the first day, you have to get the video, which you can probably also find at amazon.com.

This CD is a sensational piece of pure Irish music. It is full of great songs with a common style in all of them. It is , in fact, the soundtrack of one of the most impressive musical plays with dancing. There are deep, beautiful songs, uplifting ones, that offer you a rich diversity of tunes. It is usually Uilleann Pipes and serious fiddle playing, both of which abound on this album. The rhythm becomes progressively faster by playing the same melody more and more quickly. You may think that listening to the same melody repeated times is boring, but it's not. After listening to the 1st minute you'll blame yourself for having thought such a wrong thing before.
Besides being a great actor, Michael Flatley is one of the best dancers in the contemporary scene.
As a dancer, I envy his ability to show his true feelings while he is moving his body. If you have the chance, watch the video and you'll get the impression you're in the audience.

*****Absolutely, it is the best compilation of Irish music*****

Since I was like three... I dunno... but I watched Lord of the Dance every single day (Literally). Anyways and the music was unbeleivable..... and the tap dancer i am.... it just made me wanna dance. so this soundtrack is my life!!!!