Act Two Reviews

• Quality Followup to "Act 1"

  
  By A6TUWVFDJK18Y on 2008-09-17
  As the name implies, this CD is in many ways an Act II given that it completes the collection of songs presented in the DVD. But it also includes "extra" songs (Danny Boy, Christmas 1915, Castles in the Air, and extended Heartland). The songs are enjoyable for a wide audience given the vocal ranges and age-appropriate solos which tend to cause listeners to find a favorite within the group. The ensemble pieces are truly remarkable as well. This is a great CD for almost any music fan and your money couldn't be going to a better, kinder, group of lads!
  
  

• Amazingly Beautiful!

  
  By A1ZSF5CJ0A4CIO on 2008-09-18
  I didn't think Act 2 could possibly be better than the original, but I was wrong. This is amazing. Completes the songs from the DVD, as well as "extras", especially Christmas 1915. Just astounding. I can't stop listening to it! All the 'guys' are at the top of their game in this one! Go for it!!!
  
  

• Absolutely Wonderful!

  
  By A2SOGLLPC0G1PV on 2008-09-20
  I have Celtic Thunder's first CD and Celtic Thunder The Show (DVD), so I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of this, their second CD. I absolutely LOVE this CD! The songs are fantastic and their voices are breathtaking. This is my favorite CD in my collection ... I play it every single day and never get tired of listening to it. If you buy this CD, believe me, you won't regret it. The songs will touch you in a way you can't imagine.
  
  

• Simply Amazing...

  
  By A2R5O06BWAVO9E on 2008-09-20
  Celtic Thunder is back with another stellar compilation of traditional Celtic and contemporary music spanning the highs and lows of Celtic life. Just as the debut CD, Celtic Thunder blends the mixture of 5 masterful male voices ranging in ages from 16 to 40. This CD will touch any music lover who appreciates heartfelt music performed by multi-talented musicians. Although all the songs are brilliant, some favorites include "That's a Woman", "Danny Boy", "Castles in the Air", "Nights in White Satin" and "Caledonia". Celtic Thunder will be embarking on a 50-city US tour beginning 10/3/08 under the musical direction of Phil Coulter. There is truly something for everyone in a Celtic Thunder performance and Act Two continues that tradition. It is music that takes you on a journey and leaves you wanting another ride...Bravo CT!!!
  
  

• The greatest so far.

  
  By A26V5JUMA0B4R on 2008-09-17
  The songs and voices are unreal. "Bird Without Wings" almost makes you cry, "Heartbreaker" and "That's a Woman makes you smile or laugh (depending on if you are a male or female), "Danny Boy" is just super. This CD is the best one thus far!!! You need to hear it to believe just how great it is.
  
  
• Very Good
  By AQ55DWKWLRDJN on 2008-09-18
  I think this group is at their best with traditional songs and ballads. Songs like "Puppy Love" on the 1st CD may be fun once, but not on a CD. "Young Love" is slightly better, but Damian truly shines in the quieter songs which seems more suited to him. "I Want to Know What Love Is" is so-so compared with Keith's otherwise beautiful renditions. George's songs seem very genuine. All are clearly talented. Group songs are the best. I really enjoy both of their CD's and highly recommend them.
  
  
• Another great CD
  By A2EF3R84ESGH7J on 2008-09-17
  I received my copies of the Act Two CD earlier today. Have listened to it over and over. My special birthday gift from kids/grandchildren was tickets to their concert in Grand Prairie, TX in November. I can't wait!
  
  
• Good, Better, and getting Better
  By A3PAZLUEEJ5WTX on 2008-09-20
  Sometime back I caught this group on PBS. I was blown away to say the least. I eagerly bought the 1st CD and DVD and have play one or both on a daily basis. Then I received Act II yesterday and thought "my Lord, they have outdone themselves once again"
  
  Enough cannot be said about the whole group dynamics. From the child star Damien's A bird without wings will make even the hardest hearts melt, to the Big guy, George... Whole co sung. Mind you they have the classical tenor, the "BAD BOY Ryan" and the mild blowing voice of Keith. Seems every song they sing is almost always a 5 star performance.
  
  Phil Coulter and Sharon have put together a team of 5 soloist that have no rivals in the music industry today. So much is put into every song, including the historically accurate song on Christmas 1915.
  
  They may be a group, but they all can stand alone, but when they mix up with multiple singers, it is like they were meant to sing those various songs, like the parts were written just for them. They can only get better, if that is possible to do. Great job, and I can't wait for they concert on 11/17/08 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
  
  
• WONDERFUL!!!!!! BUY THIS CD!! AND YOU WON"T BE DISAPOINTED
  By A2H0CQBTAZUBZI on 2008-09-27
  This is an absolutely wonderful CD and anyone who likes male vocal groups should purchase this. 5 guys with different vocal styles, backgrounds, and personalities all bring a special touch to traditional Celtic songs as well as some traditional American pieces. Created by Sharon Brown who brought us Celtic Woman and the great musical recording artist Phil Coulter, Celtic Thunder: Act Two is truly a lovely musical discovery.
  I love all the songs, however the ones that Ryan Kelly performs are by far my favorite. Not only do I recommend buying this Act Two CD, I encourage everyone to invest in the 1st CD as well as the music DVD. Both are wonderful and complement this second CD very well. Also to find out more about this group and their up coming Fall 2008 American tour go to www.celtithunder.ie I speak only praise for this group and there wonderful music.
  
  
• Fantastic
  By A2TNH1HOXQ5UN4 on 2008-09-21
  I was so excited to get this. Added to the first cd, this completes the concert plus a couple of extras. Love the music. Really looking forward to the concert tour and seeing the guys in person.
  
  
• Magical!!
  By AUPUC9KIIOPEZ on 2008-09-24
  WOW!! What can be said? These guys are awesome! And like everyone else, I also have the DVD and CD 1. People that I never thought would like this kind of music have fallen in love with these guys!! Christmas 1915 just tore my heart out!! And Castles in the Air is such a fun song to listen to. I could go on and on about how great all of their music is, but I will leave room for the millions of other fans to write their reviews. Can't wait for your show in Columbus, OH in October!! Keep on truckin'!!
  
  
  
• good cd, but ....
  By A2RXZV4RRL46X5 on 2008-09-24
  I enjoyed this cd, but I really wish they'd stick to the Celtic music. In my opinion the tired old American "classics" are a waste of cd space.
  
  
• Wonderful
  By AH0XQRV6SCDO on 2008-10-04
  I stumbled upon Celtic Thunder on PBS. Wow! So I ordered the DVD and CD of the show. I have played it over and over and I never get tired of it. When I saw Act II I knew I had to have this one as well. Only one word can describe it "WONDERFUL" . I will get to see the group live in November and I can't wait. It is hard to pick who you like best--they are all so different and so talented. Buy this CD; you will not be sorry.
  
  
• Great Celtic Music
  By A2L4RLH30WTDR8 on 2008-10-06
  This is a great continuation of the Celtic Thunder: The Show CD.
  
  I love the Celtic music feel of the CD. The CD has traditional songs as well as new songs. I love " A Bird Without Wings" Damain and George sound great together. I can almost get the sensation of seeing "The Show". I have listened to the CD several times and never get tired of it. I can not wait until I can see Celtic Thunder is person.
  
  
  
• A Poor Substitute for the Real Thing
  By A1OFLYEWA9QA98 on 2008-10-17
  Celtic Thunder's 2nd act is full of schlock - an unbelievable conglomeration of trite chestnuts. Don't waste your money.
  
  The original Celtic Thunder (Terry Winch, Jesse Winch, Linda Hickman, et al of the Wahington DC- Baltimore area) is immensely superior.
  
  Go for the real thing. Skip Celtic Thunder Act 2
  
  
• I just love this CD!!!!
  By AQJ759L9GONW9 on 2008-09-23
  I just love this CD. I recieved it yesterday and having been playing it since. I have the first CD and the DVD also. I love this one because of the song choices and Ryan sings his best songs on this one.
  
  Can't wait to see them come November in Orlando. Thanks again for listening to the fans and releasing this CD.
  
  
• Strange mixture of sublime and bland (corrected review)
  By A26XTZ23ZBNLVD on 2008-10-09
  Not so much "thunder" in this CD as I had hoped. I picked it up at Borders, hoping for a rousing Irish vocals and drum sort of affair, and was mostly disappointed. It features the least moving version of Danny Boy that I've ever heard. Most of the pop covers are pretty uninspiring -- the singers have luscious voices, but the songs are too slow or something. Basically I was moved to click on to the next song way too often. It gets four stars (barely) for the couple of real winners that it contains.
  
  And those real gems that make this CD worthwhile. For example, "Ride On," written by Jimmy MacCarthy, is the album opener and a haunting nod to the selkie myth. I really liked it and wish that more of the album was like it. "A Bird without Wings" is also haunting to hear, but I cannot figure whether it is a half-religious song or just a love song. I didn't like "My Boy" at all -- beautiful singing, but the song is a long mope about a failed marriage and doting on the child (his son or "my boy"). "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" is a fun, lively take on a classic.
  
  "Love Thee Dearest" features gorgeous singing but I wish it was on a separate album; after "Ride On" and "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" it feels too sleepy. A nice two-CD set separating the lively and the ballad or religious pieces would be perfect. Interestingly, this version of what was an Irish folk song features two additional verses in Italian.
  
  "I Wanna Know What Love Is" is the nearest thing to Muzak I've heard on a Celtic style album. "Heartbreaker" is OK I guess, nice rhythm, kind of catchy. But I personally prefer songs about the land, work, history, war, poetry, all that good traditional stuff. To continue, "Mull of Kintyre," a song I've heard for years and still don't quite get, was done reasonably well, not really originally enough for my taste, but pleasant. The less said about "Nights in White Satin" and "Young Love," the better.
  
  But "Yesterday's Men," originally written by Phil Coulter, is a real proper Celtic folk song, about what happens when the factory closes and all the long-term workers lose their jobs. It's classic material and they cover it beautifully.
  
  "That's a Woman" didn't do anything for me personally, but I am willing to concede that it is a spirited, sassy piece which may have its appeal and is probably fun to see performed. I've already mentioned that I didn't like this version of "Danny Boy." It's OK, but I have heard that song for most of my life, performed by a variety of artists, and this particular version just didn't appeal to me. I wonder whether a lot of Celtic Thunder's appeal isn't due to drawing in a wide new audience to Irish and world music.
  
  "Caledonia" was interesting, although it reminded me too much of today's country-pop.
  
  "Heartland" is brillian.! I loved the intro, and the dreamy lyrics and imagery are OK, if a bit over the top. It has that whole magical-Irish-mists cachet. "Castles in the Air" is a not-too-shabby cover of a mostly forgotten song. And "Christmas 1915" just makes the whole album worthwhile *snif*.
  
  I hope that there is more "Celtic" and more "Thunder" in their other and/or upcoming albums, because I suspect that this bunch is very talented and could offer us some fine music on a more regular basis if they tried.
  
  
• WOW factor.
  By A3ERMHE3QH92E8 on 2008-10-09
  CD of the best of Celtic Thunder, including several tracks not aired on PBS. This CD touches the soul.
  
  
• Act 2
  By AW8STTQ2W63ZI on 2008-10-14
  If you liked the first album, you will love Act Two. Basically, it includes many of the songs from the video that weren't on the first album and adds some new songs that enhance the range of talent in this group.
  
  
• Celtic Blunder
  By A9JGD7A8GQF65 on 2008-10-18
  Neither the album, nor the group that shares the same name as Celtic Thunder, the beloved Washington group playing the great songs of co-founder Terry Winch, is anything but an overproduced, overloud, claxon-horn of pseudo-Celtic music and folderol. If you want the real thing, purchase any of the original Celtic Thunder's albums available on Amazon. And prepare yourself for a thrill.
  
  
• The Amazing "Celtic Thunder"
  By AW7IDL9720004 on 2008-11-04
  Celtic Thunder Act Two is the most amazing CD I have ever purchased. The harmonies they have, to create such a piece of work is not something to take lightly. This CD sounds like they worked hard at putting together a musical blend of 5 talented performers and mixed their voices with the sweetest melodies on a variety of songs that are both old and new. The Irish/Scottish mix of Celtic Thunder is well supported in the group and the concerts will be amazing to see live. I would recommend this CD to anyone.
  
  
• Another hit from the men of Celtic Thunder!
  By A2V5QJ4ZWHJH5K on 2008-11-16
  This CD is an excellent companion to the first Celtic Thunder CD. For those who have seen the PBS special or own the DVD, you know that the men are all extremely talented and have an impressive range of voices. This CD showcases all of the men in fine form, from George's hauntingly powerful rendition of "My Boy", to Ryan's wildly intense version of the Christy Moore classic "Ride On", to the ensemble performances of "Christmas 1915" and "Caledonia". All of the songs are excellent, but, as on the first CD, they really show their collective chops on the ensemble a capella version of the classic "Danny Boy". I highly recommend the CD, as it has a great range of classic and contemporary songs performed with heart! Another hit!
  
  
• This is the best CD you will ever have.....
  By AFKVM6TAMGE9N on 2008-09-27
  This is the best CD and the DVD is very good too. You will love this....
  
  
• Another Celtic Mega CD
  By A3KP1CQ0MNNM6K on 2008-10-06
  The Celtic Thunder has released their second CD, a mega hit. It includes some of the songs from their first CD but has included enough new songs to make this a must buy. There is just something about them that is unexplainable. Each voice is unique in it's own way as they sing their solos. As they sing together they are just as incredible. This CD comes highly recommended. You will be glad that you made this purchase. This CD is one that you will play over and over again whether you're Irish or not. It's a collection of great music.
  
  
• Celtic Thunder - Act Two
  By A2X0PYU54C9MRL on 2008-10-09
  The CD is WONDERFUL!! I already have the DVD and CD of the concert, so it was great to get the CD of the extra songs. Thank you Amazon for supporting Celtic music.
  
  S. Folsom
  
  
• Bravo for Act Two!
  By A1SC67OI6HM0P4 on 2008-10-11
  An excellent follow up to the first cd - the extended version of Heartland to beautiful!
  
  
• celtic thunder act ll
  By A2QFRK7Q14W8B3 on 2008-10-14
  very enjoyable to listen to. if you like "celtic" music you will love listening to the wide variety offered and the blending of all the different voices and harmony is great.
  
  
• Great songs, Great voices
  By A1ZQNWRAH80FP3 on 2008-10-15
  Both CDs are wonderful. I heard the Cds before I saw the show live onstage in Detroit 10/14/08. The show was just as good as the PBS showing and the Cds are a must-have follow up for any fan. Their voices blend so well and each have their own special sound. My favorite is Ryan Kelly, but all of the guys sound great. Worth the money! You really need to see them in person!
  
  
• Awesome!
  By A3OGQHFG95G70R on 2008-10-15
  Perfection! I also have the first Celtic Thunder CD and I'm just taken away with the talent of these men and their band. I can't wait to hear more from them. I'm an instant fan.
  
  
• Celtic Thunder, Act II
  By A3NB20OECKPLKZ on 2008-10-16
  This is a great cd to complete the collection. There are bonus tracks that weren't on the video, which makes this cd such a great buy. The video is also very much worth having!!!
  
  

• Celtic Thunder
• Celtic Thunder: The Show
• The Light of Other Days
• And Winter Came
• The High Kings