Customer Reviews

The Priests

5 star:		(115)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was first aware that three priests would be bringing out a CD of music when I saw and read an article on them in 'Time' Magazine. That article promised great things.
I was given the CD earlier this week by a friend here in Hong Kong. I have been listening to it constantly since.
This is so utterly different to anything with which it might be compared - 'Il Divo' and even 'The Three Tenors', although here we have two tenors and a baritone. The most marvellous thing here is that the music is given pride of place - there is absolutely no ego...no bellowed high Cs...no playing to any audience. And, as a result, even the better known offerings of the Schubert 'Ave Maria', the Franck 'Panis Angelicus' and LLoyd-Webber's 'Pie Jesu' are so fresh that they sparkle like early morning light on a stream. Fathers Eugene and Martin (who are brothers) and Father David have voices that we all dream of having, but the voices are there for the music and, I suspect, for God even before that. This is sung prayer, nothing else. The discretion of the insert in the CD points to this too, it seems to me.
I thought the arrangement of Haydn's 'Mit Würt und Hoheit angetan' splendid, and as with everything here done with such extreme good taste and refinement. I cannot advise the fathers' rivals to listen and to learn because they have no rivals.
This is the singing of three seminally musical and intelligent men, and, I feel, it is music of three men in love - in love with their vocation and in love with He who gave it to them.

I heard a few selections from the album on NPR and had to have it. I ordered the CD then decided I couln't wait and got the MP3 download, too. I've been listening ever since.
Every segment is thrilling in it's simplicity and elegance. The songs are the classics that we all know and love and frequently hear but almost never can listen without listening around the quality and wishing for a little "more of this and less of that" and having to "forgive the production" and enjoy the old songs anyway... but none of that in this album. This is as good as it gets. Every selection was pure joy to experience!

Listening to this album was the most thrilling and satisfying musical experience I've ever had.

When I was growing up in Northern Michigan we had a magnificent choir at our church. My father had a wonderful baritone voice, Mrs. Dix played the huge pipe organ, her husband could have been a concert violinist. Frank Toriano had a tenor voice that certainly could have made him a part of the New York Met, had he so chosen. All of this to tell you readers of this review that many of these songs on this CD were sung regularly in our church. These priests do such a beautiful rendition of each of them that I could not help but think that the Dixes, Frank, the other members of the choir and my dad were singing along with me as I sung along with "The Priests". In these so troubled days throughout the world and in our own country, it is so great to witness pure, beautiful, God given talent, used for His greater glory and honor. David A. Sullivan

I also heard an excerpt of this CD on NPR and HAD TO HAVE IT!! The voices are incredible! I ordered extras to give to my adult children who also love music. I have been listening over and over and each time feel the same thrill when the music begins.

I love Sacred music. So, you may think I'm not a good reference.

But, I can tell you this album is one of the best Classical albums of the year -if not the best-.

It's not only the music -which is great- or the singer -who are also great- is the ambient they generates that will make your soul find such a peace, that you wouldn't imagine you ever could.

What else can I say but it's worth buying. The songs are all reminders of the Grandeur of God! Very spiritual and uplifting. Thanks to the "fathers" who sang beautifully to us. Expecting an encore CD!

I first heard about the Priests last summer; CNN dubbed them "New Clergymen on the Block." Father Eugene O'Hagan, Father Martin O'Hagan (the two are brothers) and their childhood friend Father David Delargy are priests in the parishes of Ballyclare and Ballygowan, Cushendun, and Hannahstown in Northern Ireland. All three studied at the Irish College in Rome, and sang for Pope John Paul II as they studied for the priesthood. They were recently signed by SonyBMG in a much-publicized deal valued at one million pounds; their contract also has unique stipulations such that their respective parish duties take precedence over promotional events, or that they may opt out of any performance or commercial activity which conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Despite the proliferation of classical crossover groups and soloists, the Priests are unique. "Their brand isn't something that's been invented; it's been around for 2,000 years," says Samantha Wright, the group's manager. A portion of the proceeds go to charity. Both the concept, talented singers who also happen to be ordained priests, and the fact that the proceeds go to charity, is a refreshing change in this age of contrived commercially-oriented classical crossover acts such as Il Divo and Amici Forever.

The fourteen songs include sacred Latin hymns such as Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus, Ecce Sacerdos Magnus, and Domine Fili Unigente (from Vivaldi's Gloria) and Haydn's Mit Würd und Hoheit Angetan, in addition to more modern tracks such as Andrew Lloyd Webber's haunting Pie Jesu (originally sung by Sarah Brightman) and Benedictus. There are two Spanish tracks and several Irish compositions, including Ag Criost An Siol and a musical setting of the familiar Irish Blessing ("May the road rise to meet you..."). Although the album is not Christmas-themed, there is a beautiful, uptempo version of "O Holy Night" in which the harmony of the three priests is woven together most magically over the shimmer of horns.

The production values are simple and understated, allowing the beauty of the songs (and of the priests' divinely gifted voices) to shine through. The beauty of the singing has nothing to do with studio wizardry or posturing; there are no glaring synthesizers or technical sleight of hand as is omnipresent in classical crossover albums these days. The music is simply a vehicle for prayer, backed sublimely by the Choir of Philharmonic Academy of Rome and recorded in St. Peter's Basilica. The Priests themselves said it best: "When we sing, we don't simply sing. We pray."

The Priests is a work that can be appreciated on many levels whether you choose to enjoy it simply as soothing background music or as a deeper tool to aid in reflection and prayer, and its various elements come together flawlessly, from the three mesmerizing voices of Fathers Eugene, Martin, and David, to the timeless hymns and songs selected, to the traditional philharmonic arrangements and backing choir. This is a gift that will certainly be cherished by those who love sacred music (Catholics will feel right at home with several of the more traditional hymns like Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus), Irish music (there are hints of tin whistle and a touch of Irish Gaelic on Ag Criost An Siol and Irish Blessing) and by anyone who appreciates musical beauty.

Finally our priests come forward as a visible witness of heaven on earth. God Bless them and the expansion of their ministry.

I heard The Priest during a TV Interview. I ordered and Received 5 copies of their CD. The CD is Outstanding and I can't wait to share the music with My Children and Mother as Christmas Gifts.

I just want to know how long before I don't cry because it is so beautiful? I wish they had recorded a DVD as well. This is so wonderful you don't have to be Catholic or even religious to appreciate it.