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![The Irish Tenors [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N98MACFVL._SL160_.jpg)
Prodcut Description: [More Information ...] This 1998 television concert, produced in Dublin for U.S. exhibition, suggests a cheerful reversal of the formula behind the epochal Three Tenors extravaganzas that became classical crossover behemoths during the '90s: instead of operatic superstars pitching a mixture of high art and crossover fare to the masses, these lesser-known singers dress up venerable Irish parlor and folk melodies with symphonic backing and project them with operatic power and technique. Craggy, curly haired John McDermott is actually Canadian Irish, while partners Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan (who resembles a younger, better-fed Wallace without his faithful dog, Gromit) are true citizens of Eire; all three have big, powerful voices and are unafraid of the sort of emotive zeal associated with Irish music before the Celtic revival that surfaced in Ireland during the '50s and then expanded on a global scale. In this respect, fans of authentic Celtic music as well as its cannier pop variants may well find McDermott, Kearns, and Tynan downright corny, lobbing venerable tear-jerkers such as "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen," "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," and, inevitably, "Danny Boy" with great fervor. Even those songs that hew more closely to folk sources get rafter-rattling treatments, epitomized by an over-the-top "Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?" that may sound downright fevered alongside more introspective, balladic interpretations familiar to folk audiences. Clearly, however, the Irish Tenors aren't courting fans of the Chieftains, Enya, or U2. Rather, these forthright singers are unapologetic vocal conservatives and heart-on-sleeve sentimentalists comfortable with an old Irish stereotype so square that it's suddenly hip, particularly when raising funds for public TV. --Sam Sutherland
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Reviews:
Wonderful! Absolutely delightful. Could not find a better concert except in person. It will bless your heart! Simply Wonderful! Only the Angels Sing Better! Where do I start? I first watched this on a PBS fundraiser, and I had to have it! With voices from John Mcdermott, Ronan Tynan, and Anthony Kearns you can't go wrong. When John Mcdermott sings "Danny Boy" it brings goosebumps! You can just see a mother giving her son her blessings to go to America, yet knowing the next time they meet she will probably be in the grave. When John sings "The Old Man", WOW! The song is about John missing his own deceased father. After listening to the song, I immediately turned around and told my daddy I loved him. It really makes you appreciate your father even more. Anthony Kearns is schooled in opera, and his voice proves it. His voice is powerful, and beautiful. When he sung "Grace", I was literally brought to tears. "Grace" is about a soldier, who is about to be executed in the morning, saying good-bye to his wife (who he just married). It is powerful! Ronan Tynan has a voice, that I am sure, can shatter glass. His voice is strong yet beautifully controlled. I encourage viewers to research his biography--it is very heart lifting. When he sings "Town I Love So Well", you can just visualize the land, and fall in love with it yourself! When the trio comes together and sing, it is an experience of a lifetime. "Danny Boy", when sang by all of them, is heavenly. A refreshingly fun song, "Spanish Lady", lets the trio have fun, and interact with each other. I highly recommend this video. After going thru a rollercoaster ride of emotions, I cannot sing enough praises (because I can't carry a tune in a bucket)! It is simply out of this world! Superb Sight and Sound My first exposure to The Irish Tenors was an 'accidental' clicking of the remote control one night when the local PBS station was conducting a fund-raising drive using the performance in Belfast. I was so moved by their performance that I searched the web for more of their work, disappointed that only one video was available. I ordered this video AND the CD of both the Belfast performance and the Dublin performance. The video helps me get through my time on the treadmill, and the CDs get regular play on my computer. I'm still not sure which of the Tenors is my favorite, as they are all so wonderful. The solos by Anthony Kearns, John McDermott, and Ronan Tynan are wonderful, and the selections by the three of them together are magnificent. The orchestral accompaniment raises the performance of the old ballads to soaring heights. Kearns' eye contact with the audience while singing "Mountains of Mourne," "Eileen Og," and "Darling Girl from Clare" are priceless, and bring chuckles every time. McDermott's "The Old Man" brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat no matter how many times I experience it. Tynan's "The Town I Loved So Well" tugs at the heart, as does the trio's "Only Our Rivers Run Free." An unexpected bonus on the video are the encore numbers that are not included on the CD, as well as the most moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" that I've heard.As a result of watching this video, as well as the PBS presentation of the Belfast concert, I've purchased CDs by the individuals, and wonder when Kearns will grace us with an album of his own. So good their middle names are MORE We have literally worn out our video. It is starting to skip. No music in the world is more expressive or touching than Irish music, and these three outstanding tenors have given their hearts to their music. We laugh, cry and just sincerely enjoy watching this. MORE, please. Hopefully, this will come out on DVD? WELL WORTH WAITING FOR! I got the cart before the horse, so to speak, and saw the last performance first (Live in Belfast). After that I bought the IRISH TENORS' CDs: THE IRISH TENORS, LIVE IN BELFAST, and HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. By the time I got around to the first video, it was out of stock everywhere I looked. Today it came in the mail. I was all alone. I dropped all the things I needed to do and indulged myself. I had felt strong emotion with all the others, but the Dublin program really got to me. Seeing--not just hearing--Anthony Kearns sing "Grace" and "Boulavogue" brought me to shameless tears. "She Moved Through the Fair" was a bonus. I cannot imagine how one so young (at least he looks awfully young) can sing with such feeling. Surely he cannot have experienced that much in his short life! I had only seen John McDermott once in his brief appearance at the Belfast performance, and I really enjoyed him. I'll have to confess "The Old Man" made me cry, also, as did "Only Our Rivers Run Free" by all three. Ronan Tynan's "Kathleen" and "Sweet Sixteen" were touching. On the lighter side, "Mountains of Mourne," "Will Ye Go, Lassie?" "Eileen Og," and "The Darling Girl from Clare" never fail to bring a smile. "Believe Me," "The Last Rose of Summer," and "Love's Old Sweet Song" were in the GOLDEN BOOK OF FAVORITE SONGS that we used in school. My dad used to sing "Toora-Loora-Loora" to me when I was very young. I can't find any of the songs I didn't like--the ones that made me laugh as well as the sad ones. I can find no words to express the delight these men have brought to me. I will say, though, as another reviewer has noted, they certainly did loosen up between Dublin and Belfast! They are the greatest, and I can't get enough of them.Their web page is "unavailable." Is there an e-mail or "snail-mail" address where I might write to them? |
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Description: The Irish Tenors [VHS]

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