RCMH "The Irish Voice" October 15th 2008

FROM THE IRISH VOICE
Thunder and Lots of Lightning!
October 15, 2008
By April Drew
THE air at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Tuesday, October 7, was thick with enthusiasm and anticipation, as 6,000 Irish and Irish Americans traveled from all over the state and some further a field to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment from their new favorite Irish group, Celtic Thunder.

The boys, PBS powerhouses, were back in town and this time performing to a full house at Radio City.
Minutes before the five young men took to the stage under the guidance of veteran Irish singer and songwriter Phil Coulter, men, women and children shuffled into their seats, programs and treats in their hands.
Some had seen the Thunder show on WLIW New York weeks before. Others were Celtic Thunder newbies. Either way everyone was excited.

Celtic Thunder, a group only in existence since August 2007 and now hugely popular in the U.S. after massive PBS exposure and top-selling CD, is made up of five diverse yet musically talented young Celtic men. Four of the members are Irish and 39-year-old George Donaldson, the oldest member of the group, was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
It was Donaldson’s rendition of “The Old Man” that roused emotion from his audience. While performing the song, written and previously sung by Coulter, Donaldson’s soulful singing voice lured the audience into a musical trance while transforming them into immediate fans.
“One of my favorite songs,” said Valerie Reynolds, originally of Co. Roscommon and now of Yonkers, “is Phil Coulter’s ‘The Old Man,’ which was sung perfectly by George Donaldson. George has a great strong voice and I think that he fit this song perfectly.”

Unable to hold back the smiles and applause when handsome Co. Tyrone native Ryan Kelly, 28, arrived on stage, the audience, mainly the females, were instantly mesmerized by his cheeky smile and angelic singing voice.
Dubbed the “bad boy” of the group, Kelly lived up to his name when he smoothly performed “Heartbreaker.” The most dramatic song of the night, Kelly pulls it off by serenading a brunette donned in a satin red dress. He tells her he loves her but confesses it’s not in his nature to be with just one woman.
In an attempt to pacify his jealous girl, Ryan swoops across the stage, takes her in his hands, offers her a measured apology for his previous mistakes but admits “I can’t help it,” and drifts back across the stage with a mischievous sparkle is eye.
Wishing to be that lady in red, a number of the female audience members were caught nudging their husbands as if to ask, “Why can’t you be that romantic or handsome?”

Also playing a staring role in the evening’s performances was blonde haired, blue-eyed Keith Harkin, 20, who wowed the Celtic Thunder enthusiasts with his version of Paul Brady’s “The Island.” Harkin’s harmonious voice and fluid stage presence appealed to the younger ladies in the audience.
“My favorite song of the night was Keith’s performance of ‘The Island,’” said Reynolds, crediting Harkin, who hails from Co. Derry, for “singing it to perfection” evoking strong emotion.

The most popular Thundermate of the night was certainly the charismatic and rising star Damian McGinty, 14, also from Derry. Outstanding for his age, it’s clear that Coulter’s work with the youngster over the course of a few months has paid off.
McGinty’s interpretation of Paul Anka’s “Puppy Love” got the Irish American audience swaying back and forth and singing along with the young man.

Enter the fine-looking tenor Paul Byrom singing “Love Thee Dearest,” and the audience is nearly brought to tears. Mastering the stage with his engaging and heartfelt performance of the traditional song, Byrom is an instant hit at Radio City.

Coulter, who worked with discipline, diligence and passion to bring to fruition a wonderful evening of entertainment to all, played the piano on stage throughout the show.

The synergy between the five performers meshed together so well that the hour and a half show brought down the house. Each singer has a clearly distinctive personality, bringing to the program five different characters and five very individual performances.

Some fans preferred Byrom’s operatic range, while others favored Kelly’s tender vocals and original moves on the creatively designed stage.
A mélange of individuals at Radio City on Tuesday were untied by a number of powerhouse ballads, popular hits, and heartwarming songs of love and loss but, without questions, the song that touched people’s hearts the most was a Coulter original, “Ireland’s Call,” the Irish Rugby Football Union’s anthem performed by the five men in unison. The groups rousing recital of the song earned them a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the night.

The relationship between the performers, legendary composer Coulter and Celtic Thunder’s creator/producer Sharon Browne clearly works wonders, and there is no doubt that the group will be around for a very long time.

They’ve just released their second CD, Act Two, and no doubt it will sit right at the top of the Billboard World Music charts, just like the first CD did.
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