Riverdance on Broadway [Cast Recording] [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There have been moments when it seemed every shopping mall in the Western world had succumbed to Riverdance, when every speaker and video monitor in every store and public square was pulsing with the rhythmic Celtic beat of a score of vibrant young hoofers tapping fervently to fiddle and tin-whistle. The phenomenon has now gone Broadway, and composer Bill Whelan--who's done for his native Irish folk music what Freddie Mercury and Queen did for Italian opera--has raised the musical stakes considerably. Whelan's familiar, amped-up take on the Chieftains is supplemented here by harmonically brave a cappella refrains and even the fusion-minded use of Spanish guitar and flamenco rhythms. Whelan has written six new songs for this production, which features vocals by Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka (who has appeared in Broadway's The Lion King as Rafiki). The album thus presents the most comprehensive and up-to-date version of the evolving Riverdance phenomenon. Whelan is what many critics hate most--a consistent crowd pleaser. --Jerry McCulley

Riverdance on Broadway, Music, Original Cast Recording, Cast Recordings, Original Cast Recordings, Original Score, Pop, Show Tunes, Showtunes / B'way, Soundtrack, The spirit of Ireland, Spain, South Africa all in one spirited uplift of a thrilling new musical experience. -Tom Jeremy, Kenya

Average customer rating:

Good for easy listening, not the thrilling stuff

A perfect supplement

Inspired, heartfelt and stunning!

A wonderful facelift for an enduring Celtic classic....

Extraordinary Album!

Riverdance on Broadway
Original Cast Recording
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004SZVU
Release Date: 2000-05-02

Tracks:

Reel Around The Sun
The Heart's Cry
The Countess Cathleen
Caoineadh Cu Chulainn (Lament)
Shivna
Firedance
At The Edge Of The World
Slip Into Spring
Riverdance
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Lift The Wings
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I Will Set You Free
Let Freedom Ring
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Endless Journey

Amazon.com

There have been moments when it seemed every shopping mall in the Western world had succumbed to Riverdance, when every speaker and video monitor in every store and public square was pulsing with the rhythmic Celtic beat of a score of vibrant young hoofers tapping fervently to fiddle and tin-whistle. The phenomenon has now gone Broadway, and composer Bill Whelan--who's done for his native Irish folk music what Freddie Mercury and Queen did for Italian opera--has raised the musical stakes considerably. Whelan's familiar, amped-up take on the Chieftains is supplemented here by harmonically brave a cappella refrains and even the fusion-minded use of Spanish guitar and flamenco rhythms. Whelan has written six new songs for this production, which features vocals by Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka (who has appeared in Broadway's The Lion King as Rafiki). The album thus presents the most comprehensive and up-to-date version of the evolving Riverdance phenomenon. Whelan is what many critics hate most--a consistent crowd pleaser. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Good for easy listening, not the thrilling stuff.......2005-02-11

What made me listen to riverdance in one word is, Thrilling.
And the rest of the good stuff attributed to something as famous as this one.
This CD lacks the thrill and excitment which Riverdance: Music From The Show [SOUNDTRACK] ASIN: B000005B2O this CD has, however this is a excellent CD for those audiance who love riverdance and usually go very easy on their ears, and not looking for riverdance to increase their heart rate 1 and a half the normal. I am very passionate about music, I said precisely "passionate". so this is not a good buy for me.

A perfect supplement.......2004-11-28

Riverdance on Broadway shouldn't be considered a standalone album. It has wonderful music, and I liked all of the tracks, even those that had more of an African flavor. If you're a Riverdance fan, you need to pick this up- though don't forgo Music from the Show, as some tracks from MftS just wouldn't fit on RoB. Taken together, they are a wonderful aural experience.

Inspired, heartfelt and stunning!.......2003-12-31

Alternately driving and lilting, energizing and haunting, this is music from the Broadway version of "Riverdance", which incorporates highlights of both the "Riverdance" touring show and its sequel, "American Wake". The taps and other percussive foot-pounding of the step dancers and flamenco dancers, an integral part of the livelier tunes, can be clearly heard along with the fiery instrumentals. Bill Whelan's Celtic-, African- and Spanish-inspired compositions are performed here by a variety of artists, including the choral group Anuna, the Riverdance Singers, the Amanzi Singers, fiddlers Maire Breatnach and Eileen Ivers, piper Davy Spillane, vocalists Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka, Bill Whelan on piano, percussionists Tommy Hayes, Desi Reynolds and Noel Eccles, and the Riverdance Orchestra, conducted by Proinnsias O'Duinn. Though the title "Riverdance" is conveniently memorable, I've never been particularly convinced by the attempt to connect these world-inspired performances to "rivers". However, the integration of music and "dance" in this theatrical masterpiece is obvious, exhiliarating and ingenious. Bravo!

A wonderful facelift for an enduring Celtic classic...........2002-07-02

I bought into the Riverdance craze when it first came out, and I am the proud owner of the video, a T-shirt, a coffee table book, and the original soundtrack. When I'd heard that Bill Whelan had composed several new songs for the Riverdance on Broadway spectacle, I rushed out to buy it even though I already owned the Riverdance:Music from the Show soundtrack.

One of the most pleasing aspects for me was the addition of vocals by Brian Kennedy, a singer from Belfast with a voice of spun gold whose voice adds a remarkable dose of Irish pathos. I was familiar with some of Brian's other works: he was a backup singer with Van Morrison for several years, has appeared as a guest artist on at least a dozen albums, and recently recorded a beautiful track on the new Secret Garden release "Once In A Red Moon" titled "You Lift Me Up." His smooth, soulful voice is a much-needed lift to Riverdance favourites such as "Lift the Wings" and "Reel Around the Sun," and a driving force for the new songs (including "At the Edge of the World" and "Endless Journey"). Unfortunately, Brian is relatively unknown in North America and the majority of his albums are only available in the UK.

Also, Tsidii Le Loka (Rafiki in the Lion King on Broadway) is a spectacular regal presence that truly imparts a new African feel (most evident on the new song "Amanzi") to a tried-and-true show.

Other than the six new songs and the additions of two new singers, the album closely follows the Riverdance: Music from the Show formula. It is a foot-tapping blend of Celtic, flamenco, Eastern, and African, blending low whistles, accordion, Uillean pipes, fiddle and percussion, with performances by such notable musicians as Davy Spillane, Eileen Ivers, Tommy Hayes and Maire Breatnach. Riverdance on Broadway is perfect for Riverdance fans, stepdancers, and fans of Irish/ world music.

Extraordinary Album!.......2001-07-28

I saw the show on Broadway and bought the album from Amazon. They sell the same album at the theater, but at a higher price. Hearing the album brings many of the scenes from the show back to memory. It was a great show for the family, and the recording reflects that. I suppose you would put it in the category of acoustic folk music, or some such.

The show I saw featured Athena Tergis on fiddle, although I don't believe she performed on this album. If you like this genre, you might consider her excellent album, Journey Begun, as well.

Celtic Spectacular
Average customer rating:

Interesting and good music

Celtic Spectacular
Erich Kunzel , and Cincinnati Pops
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

Interesting and good music.......2007-01-26

A good music ,good sonics.
I particularly enjoyed some traks such as No. 4 in which James Galway plays but also no. 6 and 9 and the others.

Music:

Music

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