Celtic Thunder: The Show DVD (2008)

Celtic Thunder is a new Celtic music sensation, composed of 5 Celtic male soloists whose "sounds form a symphony." Their debut live performance, is billed as "Celtic Thunder: The Show" and took place in August of 2007 at the Helix Theater located on the Dublin City University campus in Dublin, Ireland.

A DVD and CD of that performance was released worldwide in February, 2008, and immediately soared to the top of the Billboard Top World Albums chart. It was listed in the number one slot for six months – until the group's second CD, Celtic Thunder Act II was released in September, 2008. That CD took the number one chart position away, relegating the first CD to number two. This is only the fourth time in the history of the Billboard Top World Albums chart that the same group occupied the top two chart positions. In January, 2009, Billboard Magazine bestowed upon Celtic Thunder: The Show, the Top World Music Album of the Year award.

According to Sharon Browne , the originator and producer, "Celtic Thunder: The Show is a celebration of the Celtic heritage and men – their loves, attitudes, individuality, power and strength, throughout life's journey." Browne has worked in the music industry for over 20 years, including K-Tel and Celtic Collections, Ireland's premier music label, and had been instrumental in the formation of another Celtic group, all-female "Celtic Woman", and conceived and formed "Celtic Thunder" in association with Music Director Phil Coulter, the famous Irish composer and arranger whose resume' includes working with music legends, Bono, Elvis Presley, Bobby Vinton, Waylon Jennings, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor, Quincy Jones, Richard Harris, and Henry Mancini. His recording and performance credits include 23 platinum discs, 36 gold discs, 52 silver discs, 3 ASCAP awards, nomination for a Grammy, and numerous other awards and recognitions. He has been described as having "boundless enthusiasm…a command of orchestral textures and an unerring ear for a great song."

Together with Browne, Coulter says they "unearthed five exceptional lads who ticked all the boxes" from all over Ireland and Scotland. Joining with each of the singers, Browne and Coulter crafted an eclectic mix of music for the group's premier concert, featuring arrangements by Coulter written specifically for Celtic Thunder, the Celtic Concert Orchestra, a full band with backup singers, costuming tailored to each performer's personality, choreographed "scenarios" for each musical act, colorful dramatic lighting to enhance the "mood" of each song, visual effects reinforcing the impact of the music, and they supervised construction of a stage set that resembled an ancient stone pathway and steps reflective of those abounding in Celtic lore. In the Helix Theater production, the cast included approximately 100 professional singers and musicians, dancers, and contributors to the authentic Celtic aura intended by the creators. The performance combines the best attributes of a concert, a Broadway musical, an Italian opera, and a Shakespearian play, with synergy, electricity, dazzle, smoke, lightning, and an explosion of sounds – and the impact simply takes your breath away, clouds your eyes with tears of joy and exhilaration, and, if you are of Irish heritage, pride.

Membership:

Damian Joseph McGinty, Jr. is the youngest of the five. When they started recording he was only fourteen years old. The first time that I heard him sing I was amazed at his voice. One of the songs that he sings in the show is the Paul Anka song “Puppy Love.”

Keith R. Harkin is a singer songwriter. He plays guitar. One of the songs that he wrote is actually used in the show. It is titled “Lauren and I.” He is currently rumored to be working on a solo album but as of the publishing of this article has yet to set a release date.

Paul Michael Byrom is a tenor. He has a solo album out titled “Velvet” as well as a Christmas album titled “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” My favorite song that he sings in the show is “Nights in White Satin.”

George Donaldson is the eldest statesman of the group. He is also the one who had to travel the farthest to join the group. While the others are all from parts of Ireland, George Donaldson traveled from Glasgow, Scotland. He is well known for his singing ballads. He also plays guitar and flute. When he sings “The Old Man” in the show he brings me to tears every time.

Last but most definitely not least is Ryan John Kelly. He plays the bad boy of the show. When he sings “Heartbreaker” which Phil Coulter wrote specifically for him who can see the personality of the character come out as if a mask has been raised off of his face. Something that surprised me about Ryan Kelly when I read it was that he is a chartered accountant.



Producer: Sharon Browne. Composer/Musical Director: Phil Coulter. Director: Julia Knowles. Musical Arrangement: Phil Coulter, Dave Gold and Michael Keeney. Presented nationally by WLIW New York. ST and CC.

Additional Performers: Phil Coulter (conductor); Zara Curtis (dancer); Megan Sherwood (cello); Brendan Monaghan (whistles, pipes, guitar, bodhrán); Dave Cooke (keyboards); Neil Byrne (guitar, backing vocals); Nigel Wheatley (bass, backing vocals); Rory McCarron (drums); Audrey Bridgeman (percussion); The Celtic Concert Orchestra led by Niccola Sweeney; Bagpipes/Drums: Andrew Carlisle, Shane Culleton, Chris Mc Nicholl, David Stone, Mark Wilson; Monks: Alex Browne, Ian McKinley, Greg Howie, Killian Buckley, Andy Lawler.