Customer Reviews

Take Me Home

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I pre-ordered this CD as soon as I saw it was going to come out. Full disclosure, I'm a huge fan, saw the concert in the Fall, own the first 2 discs & DVD. That said, this compilation isn't as good as it's predecessors.

To begin, Damien has obviously grown into his adult voice and in sounding quite mature, vocally, yet is given two 50's/60's era sappy over-produced solo pieces ("Breaking up is hard to do" & "Happy Birthday Sweet 16"). The female background is so grating I've only actually listened to each song once.

Keith is given a stronger position with the opening piece, but the Wichita Lineman seems like it was selected only to provide a stage-y action prompt for the concerts. Even the opening, The Homes of Donegal, though a good song, doesn't ring true to Keith as presented in "Loren & I" which he cowrote.

As for the other three men, it's hit and miss. George's remake of the crappy 80s song "500 miles" is inauthentic and ridiculous. I was hoping against hope that he would sing the 500 miles of Peter Paul and Mary fame, but alas. Paul's remake of the very recent "You Raise Me Up" is also odd because it continues to be a hit for Josh Groban. Even though he sings it well, Paul's version will never be the definitive version. Final note of criticism, Ryan's "Every Breath you Take" also seemed too produced and breathy - as though created for a stage production and not the album.

Negativity aside, there are shining beacons of "classic" (if such a word can be associated with such a young group) Celtic Thunder. Specifically "Because We Believe" "Take me Home" "Working Man" and "Appalachian Roundup"

It seems as though the producers forced the guys into creating another album too soon, although doubtless fans were clamoring (myself included) for more. These guys have worked nonstop for the past year with three albums, two DVDs, two PBS specials w/ fund-drive appearances, and Fall '08, Spring '09, and Fall '09 American/Canadian tours. Creatively, these guys should be given more breathing room and an allowance for more organic growth - but alas, this is just an Amazon review.

This reviewer is looking forward to the long-promised individual albums many of the guys claim to have been working on as part of their Celtic Thunder contracts... but don't rush it like this album seem to have done.

My condensed advice - cherry pick from the album via MP3s because there are gems, but they're definitely in the rough.

First, I really like Celtic Thunder and definitely a fan. The signers and the band are very talented. I love the instrumentals on this CD, and all the Irish songs old and new. I just can't understand why Celtic Thunder re-hashes other people's songs, like "Every Breath You Take", without making it uniquely different, and why include non-celtic oldies for young Damian. I wish they stuck to Irish composers, celtic-inspired music, and more of their own compositions. The Working Man works because it hails from the celtic-influenced Canadian Maritimes. My favorites: Green Field of France, Midnight Well, the instrumentals, Working Men and Homes of Donegal. Wichita Lineman is rather boring and seems out of place. This group is fairly new, and they and their musicians have a great opportunity to shine with their own uniqueness. P.S.: Love the kilts!

I agree with some of the other reviewers. This second concert seems very different from the first concert. The filming seemed awkward. The new songs did not showcase their talents or homelands. Admittedly, Damien is having problems finding his range but his new renditions of the songs he sang in the first concert are almost painful to watch. They do not fit his voice any longer which is a shame but can't be helped. And I agree, while the Neil Sedaka songs fit his new voice, he is too old for them and the campy routines were almost embarrassing. And Ryan's version of "Every Breath You Take" was breathy. Keith seemed bored in his solos. I saw these guys in Little Rock last fall and vowed to see them again if they ever performed close enough to travel to, but after seeing this concert DVD, I have decided not to. I think this concert was cranked out for profit and little thought was given to keeping their unique sound. I think the guys are tired and have done too much in too short a time as the original energy and enjoyment is just not there. For now I will enjoy their first concert DVD and matching CD's. I think I will put this new concert DVD and CD in the closet. But saying all that, I love these guys!

It's them in Concert not a Studio, the concert hall was not the best for Acustics but the lads still manage to give us a great show. Nice new songs. The voices just don't carry as well as the first DVD which can disappoint but if you are looking still for good entertainment they will not disappointment.

Absolutely great 3rd effort from the CT team. The new material is exceptional- the music, vocals and delivery all 1st rate. If you enjoyed the two previous CD's this is a must have and if you are new to the music of Celtic Thunder you cannot go wrong starting with "Take Me Home"!

I had seen the group doing a concert recently on TV so of course I had to find their music!!
I love the Irish sound and their wonderful voices. This is one of three I purchased and hope to have all of their collection soon! I'm hoping they stick totally to their Irish songs/music in the future. The music hits your heart!!

We love to listen to Celtic Thunder, but this CD is a stretch for them. They stepped outside of their genre too much and somehow it doesn't work when they do. I could do without songs like the Belfast Polka, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, The Wichita Lineman and Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, just to name several. We find ourselves skipping to the next song often! Celtic Thunder is great for the variety of their voices, not the variety of their song genres. This CD did not click with us like the others. However, the songs that are in their genre are wonderful. The Homes of Donegal, the new version of Steal Away and The Green Fields of France are awesome! I only hope they go back to their forte with future CDs.

All Celtic thunder fans should know that this contains very few Celtic songs.
Their voices are gorgeous but I agree with some of the other negative reviews...it seemed that they wanted to crank out an album quickly and I, for one, don't want to hear WICHITA LINEMAN from anybody!!!!
I want Phil Coulter et al, to incorporate EILEEN AROON, into a CD sometime. This album was a bad decision from those who should know better.
Louise from Andover

These eye candy guys have done it again. All of their voices melt your heart strings. I can honestly say I only have two negative thoughts about this CD. 1. Using the same song they had on a previous CD (Steal Away-and not as good as the first time) and 2. Had a hard time wrapping my brain around their renditions of "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do". Somehow I can't picture them in their kilts beltin out bubble gum rock. As for the rest of the songs I am sitting inside an Irish Pub having a pint with friends singing along.

All I can say is Celtic Thunder's music just keeps getting better and better! Having seen them in concert to having their previous two cds, this cd is fresh with more of the guys' personalities showing through. I can't wait to get my dvd and to see what is to come. A must buy!