The High Kings Reviews

• Thank you, David Downes, for Doing it Again!

  
  By A2VMGXZXBJWJKK on 2008-03-17
  At this point, I think people associate David Downes with the Internationally sensational group, Celtic Woman. In that group, what started as a humble beginning, the act of putting together an incredible show for PBS, grew into a world-renowned and world-loved music.
  
  Well, he did it again. Each of these singers and performers are true musicians- they sing, they play, they come from families of musicians, and they perform in such a way that leaves the audience breathless after each song- either because of the excitement in the song, such as "Marie's Wedding", "Phil the Fluther's Ball", "Rocky Road to Dublin" (to name a few); or by the gentle longing harmonies found in "Galway to Graceland", "Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore", and "The Parting Glass".
  
  One point I would like to emphasize- this is by no means an attempt to make masculine Celtic Woman; this is not Celtic Man. This is a group of men who each bring a unique sound to make wonderful harmonies found in each of these songs on the DVD. Celtic Woman has a healthy blend of multi-cultural songs- classics, modern, new, and traditional folk ballads. The High Kings only perform Irish ballads, and they bring great credit to the songs they perform.
  
  These songs are not lullabies, by any stretch of the imagination (IMO). "Marie's Wedding" and "Phil the Fluther's Ball" (which makes Brian Dunphy sound like a Celtic Elvis- fantastic!) left my heart racing after I heard them one night (OK, about the 4th or 5th time that night)- I honestly got about 2 hours of sleep after listening to these songs. But that's how good they are. If music can make the listener excited and provoke emotion and enthusiasm, the job of the "music-makers" is fulfilled. If that were the job-description of the High Kings: to leave the listeners and audiences breathless, excited, happy, joyful, then their job is complete.
  
  This music, while the songs are Irish ballads, are not solely meant for the Irish or for those with Irish blood. These are meant for all people to enjoy. Great music does not discriminate among gender, age, or race; and this is great music.
  
  

• Staging is Supreme as is their Singing

  
  By A3N21QHPR15QFN on 2008-03-06
  We are fans of Ireland and Irish music. The DVD of The High Kings in Dublin has such great harmonies, clear voices, great staging of bag pipes, dancing so closely tied to the music, and much more. The selection of songs is great and the four men move in the Irish tradition.
  The CD can not cover the contribution of movements on stage.
  
  I rate this the best DVD I have seen, although I am a great fan of the old Irish Tenors.
  
  A great selection of songs. The movements on stage and the contribution of the audience make this a great show.
  
  

• The High Kings...HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

  
  By A3E3AJFB1QG0VO on 2008-03-14
  Sorry to say that I've never heard of this group before. But I saw them on PBS TV last night and I was so blown away by these guys, that I just had to buy the DVD and CD today so I can watch and listen to them any time I want. I was so mesmerized by their voices, the song choices, the Bodhrans (Irish drums) and a even little Irish dancing!!!
  
  Watching this program, it brought back wonderful memories of my Grandfather. He came to the US in the early 1900's from County Cork, Ireland so I was raised by listening to Celtic music and watching him dance his Irish jig...especially after taking some wee sips of the Irish whiskey!!!
  
  To wrap this comment up, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to anyone who loves Celtic/Irish music!!!
  
  

• Unbeivable

  
  By A3CP130LYKTBJJ on 2008-03-20
  If you like this type of music, don't even hestate. go for it You won't regret it.
  
  
  

• Clap your hands and tap your feet!

  
  By A7Q4EVM01AT09 on 2008-03-29
  I hear that the High Kings will be the opening act for Celtic Woman's tour...that would be a star-studded evening for sure. I can't say enough about this DVD: handsome, full-voiced Irishmen who love their country and its history - who bring so much musical talent individually to this group and who love to get the audience fully involved in each beautiful number. I find myself happily humming their tunes over and over in my head. David Downes has done another fantastic job at the helm of this wonderful project.
  
  
• The High Kings rule!
  By A44Z9YJRHTWXR on 2008-03-19
  If you liked the Clancy Brothers or if you like traditional Irish music you are going to LOVE the High Kings. This is Irish entertainment at it's best. The show has everything - great music, beautiful harmony, step dancing - the works. This is the best DVD I have ever seen for traditional Irish music and I have a large collection. Buy this and send it to your favorite Irish person. It is absolutely wonderful!
  
  
• AWESOME CELTIC MUSIC!!!
  By A38HZZH8JJH9D3 on 2008-03-22
  The High Kings are uplifting and just make you want to join in! I too saw the PBS broadcast and have watched it several times. I love my cd and play it a lot!! Will be watching for them to come to the states, as I would love to see them.
  
  
• Terrific new group
  By A2EVQ7O6TYKE92 on 2008-03-20
  Like another reviewer, I saw this group on a PBS channel and was blown away. The DVD is now one of my favorites. I like nearly all Celtic music, and this concert had a nice range and variety. And now I see the High Kings are headed to the U.S. on tour, and I plan to be there.
  
  
• AWESOME
  By A3C0XV71IXR075 on 2008-08-07
  Nothing to add really to all the glowing reviews here. I first heard them on a St Patricks Day special on TV and immediately bought the CD. The harmonies have the rich layers of the old Crosby Stills and Nash days but done in the Irish style that is foot-stomping, mournful, reflective, spiritual and ultimately triumphant. Just an incredible CD, you won't be disappointed.
  
  
• The High Kings - CD & DVD
  By A3HOAIEXLOV5MQ on 2008-08-03
  
  Best musical CD and DVD I have heard in years. I really enjoyed these performers and would buy anything else that they produced. Definitely 5 Stars!!! THE HIGH KINGS DJ
  
  
• a mediocre show
  By ATF27PIYPMS23 on 2008-09-26
  the video came in excellent shape, well wrapped, clear and clear picture.
  the contents were disappointing; the high kings held no candle to the
  wonderful and joyful 'celtic thunder'.
  since i enjoy 'celtic thunder' so much, i would be lax to buy another 'celtic' dvd.
  
  
• Some of the Best
  By A3V0W86UI1JZIB on 2008-10-03
  I love this DVD, I am glad it was recommended or I probably never would have seen it.
  
  
• Dynamite New Irish Group Unites Generations
  By A3HD7SVBY4JZOW on 2008-04-09
  I wasn't expecting too much from this new group despite the considerable hype accompanying their new album and DVD. However, I am a longtime listener to Irish music of most types and a particular fan of the Clancys (I'm old enough to have seen the original group), the Irish Rovers, the Dubliners,Wolfe Tones, etc., etc. and I couldn't resist checking out these young heirs to the throne (3 of the 4 are sons of famous Irish singing families). I am happy to say that I was not only pleasantly surprised--I was blown away. All of these singers are actually outstanding musicians and their harmonies are beautiful. Their choice of well-known Irish ballads, rousing sing-along-melodies and poignant songs reflecting Ireland's history is an excellent one and I hope they do not stray from this type of mix. They bring the wonderful old Irish songs made popular world-wide by their parents' generation to a new generation in a slick effective package put together by the man behind Celtic Woman. Fortunately he stops just short of over-producing these guys, who do not need any more enhancement than they have in this DVD. They have powerful voices and tremendous musicianship and they are definitely NOT Celtic Man--they are the new flowering of a great Irish folk tradition, packaged very neatly but basically true to that tradition. I hope they stay that way and put out lots more albums and DVDs. The High Kings are a find!
  
  
• Amazing
  By A3P0T7A02ZEC5P on 2008-04-10
  This DVD is a must for anyone who likes celtic music. There show did not air on my local PBS station but have had their CD for sometime and fell in love with their music instantly.
  
  I was pleased to seem them live in all their glory when I attended a Celtic Woman concert. I had just purchased their DVD before the concert and was looking forward to seeing them. To make it even better I was only 4 feet away from them.
  
  This DVD really does a great job of capturing what this group is really like.
  
  
  
• The High Kings
  By AXW6Z3TXVE9WU on 2008-04-10
  The merchandise came in the time promised, the merchandise was what I ordered and was a great CD and DVD.
  
  
• Great Traditional music
  By ATPHUNAZ2AE3K on 2008-04-10
  This DVD just goes to prove that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. These guys follow nicely in their fathers' footsteps!
  
  
• The High Kings
  By A3ELV92CF7H8G7 on 2008-04-13
  Awesome show. Our local PBS station played the DVD as a fundraiser and charged over $125 for the DVD. A must have for a lover of Irish music.
  
  
• Superb
  By A15NFVG58CZCS2 on 2008-04-14
  Beautiful 4-part harmony renditions of traditional Irish tunes with attactive staging before a live audience similar to Riverdance.
  
  
• The High Kings
  By A23D87M6SNALJB on 2008-04-18
  After seeing The High Kings open for Celtic Woman at Radio City Music Hall I had to try out their CD & Video. I was glad I did, both CD & Video were much better then I had hoped for and I plan to see The High Kings live next time they are in NY. In the meantime I just saw Gaelic Storm another must see if your into Irish Music, bit more of a rowdy bar band but lots of fun.
  
  
• High Praise for High Kings
  By A3B7O376ZEAV8D on 2008-04-20
  Great voices, wonderful harmonies. A superb journey through Celtic music. backup musicians were wonderful as well and the final number, "The Farewell Glass" with the bag pipe group was spectacular.
  
  
• The High Kings in Harmony
  By A3BBY3CZ5IWPGX on 2008-04-21
  This is a great music video for those of us who like harmony. I only wish I could sing like these guys.
  
  
• Get you IRISH on
  By A1LAUMRG8P89XB on 2008-04-29
  I'm moving to Ireland!
  These guys are great! It's the first video I have seen of them, but I understand they have been around for a while, and have a long family history of music and entertainment. They involve the audience, and sing with gusto! I had to laugh at some of the audience shots at they were singing just as loud as they could! God Bless our Elders! You will hear strong, traditional songs, (my grandmother knows all of them) and be tappin your toes and dancin in the TV room! The next best thing to a ticket to Dublin! Go Kings!
  
  
• THE BEST! I CAN'T SAY SAY ENOUGH!!!
  By A2M63C0PSDT2ON on 2008-05-05
  I have visited Ireland and I've been to the pubs and heard the beautiful music. When I watched the High Kings, I felt like I was back in Ireland. These guys are wonderful! My parents and brothers and sisters have also purchased this and we all love it. They are so much fun to watch and they are remarkably entertaining. I can't imagine just listening to it on a CD. They are true quality performers and the music is so inspiring, that I exercise (walk on the treadmill) everyday while watching this DVD. (I never write reveiws, but this absolutely deserved a 5 star rating.)
  
  
• This concert is wonderful!
  By A1BWI1EFOCQ2C7 on 2008-05-14
  As Celtic Woman fans, we absolutely love the High Kings as well. It is such a delight to watch their concert. All of our family loves the DVD and CD (this includes me, my husband, and my three children, ages 13, 11, and 6). We all try to figure out which vocalist we like the best, and of course we can't decide because we like all of them!
  
  
• All hail The High Kings!
  By A35URVK288LK5L on 2008-05-25
  I first saw The High Kings on their PBS special, (much like Celtic Woman, with whom I'm also very enamored), and from the opening number, "Rocky Road To Dublin", I knew I had to get the DVD. The product itself is pretty ordinary. No behind the scenes or anything like that. Just the concert, and the rather handy option of subtitles, since some of the lyrics either go by so fast you can't keep up or are in Gaelic, or both. But the concert MORE than makes up for the lack of bells & whistles.
  
  The production is somewhat smaller than Celtic Woman, which is actually quite nice, giving the show a more intimate quality, and they communicate with the audience well. The singers of the group all are fantastic vocalists, showcasing tight harmonies, rousing pub tunes, as well as inspired and touching ballads, all traditional Irish songs. Of particular note is the backup band, particularly the madly talented percussionist. He plays the bodhran like nothing I've ever seen, and is even showcased with a brief solo, followed by a duet with another insanely talented Irish tap dancer, you've gotta see this!
  
  The only resemblance that I can see between The High Kings and Celtic Woman is the fantastically talented performers. Though both acts are undeniably Irish, they're also apples and oranges. Where Celtic Woman leans more towards New Age, Contemporary and even classical, The High Kings are purely traditional Irish, in the realm of The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, and The Irish Rovers.
  
  So get the DVD, pour yourself a good Irish stout, sit back and push play!
  
  
• High Kings Live
  By A32Y7GYT2LRMBP on 2008-06-14
  Received this movie in great condition and we watched it several times already. It came very speedily.
  
  
• AMAZING
  By A196CFUBLCSVQ7 on 2008-06-24
  I love this so much. Now here's my review:
  
  The songs here are gorgeous and very well sung. The beginning, The Rocky Road To Dublin is great, and starts you off feeling giddy and it draws you in completely. The Little Beggarman, which is the seventh song, I think, is a great arrangement. It's so fun to watch. Later on, a dancer comes out and performs wonderfully with the bodhran player. The song at the end of the DVD, The Parting Glass, is FANTASTIC. Very moving. Throughout the entire DVD, the boys are fun to watch. Martin is fun and multi-talented, Finbarr is calming in a way, Darren is fresh and interesting and Brian is hilariously dramatic. (Don't tell him I said that.)
  
  Anyway, this is wonderful. I bought this with my own money and DO NOT REGRET IT AT ALL!!!
  
  -from a 17 year old black girl from Tennessee.
  
  
• The High Kings DVD
  By A3S06KU3OFUTAZ on 2008-07-04
  This has to be the most recent Irish band whose music and singing is super. Every word is enunciated so that the songs would be easy to learn for those of us who want to. G. W. Short
  
  
• High Kings Live DVD
  By A3FJITIZGZ03CL on 2008-07-15
  Everyone should see this at least once, if only to gain a bit of understanding about the Irish people and spirit.
  It's a fun outing and views of the audience add to the effect.
  Irish music done in the traditional way inspires singing along and even dancing.
  Well worth the price and time to enjoy.
  
  
• review of High Kings DVD
  By A2TYZQCLQ7E17O on 2008-07-20
  The High Kings I received the DVD in very quick time, it was in excellent condition, and we have enjoyed watching it very much. It makes you feel almost like you're right there sitting in the audience
  
  

• The High Kings
• Celtic Thunder: The Show
• Celtic Thunder
• Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland
• Act Two