Customer Reviews

Riverdance (Music From the Show)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you've ever seen The Show, then you know what I mean when I say WORDS CAN NOT DESCRIBE WHAT YOU HEAR. Riverdance -- Music from The Show is the best CD ever, it's even been released 3 Times by different records labels, and with each new release more tracks are added and the music just gets better and better. If you find the Atlantic Records version you will hear the "taps" from the dancers on Tracks 1, 3, and 16. If you get the Universal/Celticheartbeat version you will hear the taps only on tracks 1 and 3 but you will hear an EXCELLENT REMIX of the Title Track RIVERDANCE!

If you haven't seen The Show, go see it, then buy the CD, or BUY the CD, then go see THE SHOW.

The Original International Dance Phenonmenon The Magic, Energy, and Passion...

Riverdance -- The Show Experience the Original

I am disappointed and a bit upset. This is NOT a soundtrack. The music of Riverdance IS wonderful! I have a tape that is several years old and wanted a CD since I never get tired of this soundtrack. But I was very disappointed. The soundtrack of Riverdance includes the sounds of the dancers when they are "clogging." This is very much a part of this music. The first track includes the dancing, but none of the others. I was very disappointed that this CD is not as I expected it to be. The music is still good, but an important part of it is most definitely missing. :~(

The music is incredible! I must have listened to this CD at least a hundred times now and I'm still not tired of it. The soundtrack is even better than the show in my opinion. I especially enjoyed "Lift the Wings" - the melody is soothing and relaxing. A must-have for anyone into Irish dance/music.

First off, I'm 16 years old. I love music, just about every kind there is. I never cared for Riverdance before until last year when I listened to a song from "Lord of the Dance" completely by accident and then went from there. Now, I completely appreciate it, and I believe it's the best stuff I've ever listened to, and I don't regret it all. It's very refreshing, and it just calms you down, and I swear, some of the songs on here sends shivers down my spine even after listening to it for a good year now. While I don't like every song on the CD like I do with "Lord of the Dance" I still think the music is special and unique in its own way. The music from "Lord of the Dance" is more...alive, but "Riverdance" is good for relieving stress, meditating, or for filling you up with so much emotion it could make you cry. Honestly, it's all great.

If you're not convinced yet, then here's a breakdown by song!
REEL AROUND THE SONG: As one person has already said: PERFECT! This is probably the best on the CD. It's starts a little slow with the flute(but then, you learn to love it, the more you listen to it) and then as it progresses, it gets better and better, and then, even better. So it's perfect in every way. But then, considering the song is almost nine minutes long, it better be good.
THE HEART'S CRY: This is a vocal. Nice song, beautiful lyrics, a voice I could tolerate, and I'm just starting to appreciate vocals.
COUNTESS CATHLEEN/WOMEN OF THE SIDHE: Another personal favorite that's almost perfect. The first is very light and pretty, but I love the second half! Very lively and I actually dance to it.
CAOINEADH CU CHULAINN/LAMENT: This is one of the songs that fills you up with emotion and shivers down your spine. It's a very sad (well, the song's called "Lament"), emotional song, and I still listen to it with fresh ears, and probably always will.
SHIVNA: This is another vocal. The only problem with it, is that it's in another language (I'm guessing Gaelic) so I don't know what the heck they're saying, but that doesn't stop me from loving it. Ironically, it's my favorite vocal on here.
FIREDANCE: A mix of Celtic and Spanish music and the results are pretty good. The end of the song is really the only good part of the song though. The beginning's too slow for me.
SLIP INTO SPRING: Very light and incredibly sweet and one of my favorites.
RIVERDANCE: Another favorite (you're probably getting tired of me saying that),it's true. The lyrics are good, the music's beyond great. You really outdid yourself, Whelan.
AMERICAN WAKE: This song falls in the middle. Starts off a wee bit repetitive, but gets better as it progresses.
LIFT THE WINGS: A vocal. Well, the music in the beginning was great. But I just can't get into the song. I think it's the voice that drives me away. Good lyrics though.
MACEDONIAN MORNING: Blah. That's the only word I can use to describe this song. This song can't move me at all. It doesn't go anywhere, it's tiring and dull and flat, and it wouldn't harm the CD if they took this song out.
MARTA'S DANCE/THE RUSSIAN DERVISH: Another (you guessed it!) favorite. It's a mix of Celtic and Russian music, and yes it is a little too repetitive and long, but it's still good and the last two minutes of the song is my favorite part.
ANDALUCIA: I enjoy this song from time to time, it's good, just not as memorable as the other songs.
HOME AND THE HEARTLAND: This song's altogether cute. The lyrics and the music are cute, and the voice that sings it is so tender and beautiful. My second favorite vocal.
HARVEST: Lovely song, falls in the middle and there's some parts that I especially love.
RIVERDANCE (REPRISE): Uh,good, but I'll stick with original.

I don't regret buying this CD at all and I'm sure you'll love this as much as I do. There will be at least one song on here you'll like if not all. If you love emotion and beauty, and you're passionate about music, then you'll love this.

Taps are for hearing. With the exception of two tracks, the stage mics were mixed out. The primary percussion instruments (the taps) were silenced. Hearing the music without the thunder of the dancers was disappointing. Of course Whelan's music was excellent. Just incomplete. The cadence of the taps complemented the other instruments. They provided more than some background shufflin' sounds. Perhaps I've watched the video too many times. Nevertheless, I'd buy the disk just to hear Davy Spillane play his pipes.

This CD is for anyone who likes good music, and appreciates good composing and arranging. I'm amazed, inspired, and instantly transported to Ireland when I listen to Riverdance. I'd recommend it to everyone I know, but I believe they already own it anyway!

This is among the most beautiful music ever recorded of any type. My two favourite tracks are Caoineadh Cú Chúlaínn and Macedonian Morning, with Russian Dervish being a very close third. These tracks embody the heart and soul of good music and, more than anything else on this remarkably brilliant album, make this album worth the price of the recording. Any one of these songs, however, could be the centerpiece of a lesser musical. Or, to be brief, Get This Album.

[One CD, with a running time of 73:06 minutes.] This CD is the soundtrack of the fabulous show, Riverdance, which alone makes it a must-have. But even outside of that, the music is superb, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys listening to Irish music. The paperwork included with the CD has a list of the tunes, along with the credits, as well as the words to all of the songs (including the one in Gaelic!).

I really enjoyed this CD and highly recommend it!

I have every Riverdance DVD and have watched the live show once. This CD is based on the original production (With Michael Flatley and Jean Butler) and while it might not carry the "excitement" of the original show as others have commented, it is a great way to remember the beautiful music and orchestration when you are not close to a DVD player to enjoy the video production. The unfortunate thing in listening to the "soundtrack" of a live/video production is that separated from its visual context, it can be difficult to understand or appreciate. Riverdance is a visual as well as a sound experience. If you have never watched the show, it would certainly be hard to appreciate the music in this CD. I listen to it frequently and love the music more each time. If you are a Riverdance fan, this CD is a must. It's simply superb.

Bill Whelan's marvellous, tuneful score stands up well on its own, away from the tappety feet (which are heard in some tracks). A great souvenir of a great show.