Mythology
“Voices call from the old days, Voices tell from the past, Ancient laws and ancient old ways to recast.” (Voices opening number from Mythology)
Mythology is the latest show from Celtic Thunder and the show’s 9th special for Public Television. Filmed on location at the Helix Theater in Dublin (where they filmed their debut show in 2007), it’s fitting that Celtic Thunder have chosen to return to their roots in order to film this musical odyssey back to the heart of the Celt. The opening number for Mythology is an original piece called Voices written expressly as an opener for the new show. Voices, quoted above, is collaboration between Celtic Thunder Musical Director David Munro and world-renowned composer Brendan Graham, who also composed the international hit “You Raise Me Up.”
The core theme of Mythology is found in the opening number “Voices call from the old days, Voices tell from the past, Ancient laws and ancient old ways to recast.” It’s the story of the Celts in Ireland, their legends, their history and their stories. It’s the lifeblood of modern day Ireland and it’s influences from our Celtic past, which are still carried in each one of us as part of who we are and where we come from.
The set of Mythology is big; it’s dramatic and imposing. The new and the old combine. Modern catalyst images are projected onto ancient standing stones, a giant Celtic cross takes center stage and the tempo of the music is strongly echoed in the theatrical and moody lighting. Mythology is by far Celtic Thunder’s most impressive production to date, bar none.
The road to Mythology began in 2007 when Sharon Browne, the Celtic Thunder’s creator and producer, set out to produce a show with real Celts performing an eclectic mix of songs ranging from the traditional to international hits and some original pieces along the way. That show and each subsequent Celtic Thunder show have raised the bar for Irish music and theatrical productions worldwide. Mythology has raised that bar yet again, even by Celtic Thunder standards. It is without down their most extravagant and spectacular show ever and by far the biggest undertaking of producer Sharon Browne’s and Musical Director David Munro’s careers to date.
Mythology comprises of six diverse performers who are each a powerhouse in both their solo and ensemble songs, backed of course by the dynamic Celtic Thunder Band. And while Celtic Thunder shows are known for the use of dramatic combinations of lighting, choreography and set design, Peter Barnes, the Set & Lighting Director for Mythology has upped the ante and has created a stage that surpasses anything Celtic Thunder has done heretofore.
Celtic Thunder have now toured the US and Canada, coast to coast, six times, performing at over 500 shows and in doing so have sold well in excess of half-a-million concert tickets.
1. Voices
2. Isle of Inisfree
3. Now We Are Free
4. Scarlet Ribbons
5. Carolina Rua
6. Carrickfergus
7. Star of the County Down
8. Tears Of Hercules
9. She Moved Thru the Fair
10. Hunter’s Moon
11. Katie
12. The Rocky Road to Dublin
13. Perfect
14. Sound of Silence
15. Seven Drunken Nights
16. Life With You
17. Danny Boy
18. Turning Away
19. Lonesome Boatman into Reels
10. My Land
$ 9.98
Amazon version is Great, but the Deluxe version is OUTSTANDING!!!,
WARNING: May Contain Spoilers.
Regular is Great but Deluxe version is outstanding, although there are some more familiar songs on the Deluxe such as The House of the Rising Sun, The Thunder Rolls and The Boys of Summer. Seven Drunken Nights is slightly changed on this album for comedic purposes, lines are the same except George doesn’t say his BALD head, he just says head. Danny Boy is sung by Emmett alone and it starts a bit differently before going into the regular Danny Boy song.
The set is awesome, it has a big celtic cross in the middle of the stage. One of the best sets since the very first dvd’s.
Neil Byrne plays the piano on Rock n Roll Kids which is only on the deluxe version, so if you want to hear and see him play that you will need the deluxe version. GOOF: They goofed in the printed booklet and sleeve, the booklet says Neil/Ryan performed Rock N Roll Kids and the sleeve says Neil/Colm. The booklet is correct on this song. For alot of the songs the booklet and sleeve do not line up on who sings which songs. They will list 5 singers on one and 4 on the other for instance. This stuff should be polished and be mistake free before being released.
Colm Keegan: My review on him is simply this, he is better than Paul Byrom, but I’d much rather have Damian Mcginty or Daniel Furlong any day. It allows you to do more things when having a younger 6th member.
Deluxe version has a 2nd disc as well you dont get in the regular version from Amazon which includes My Land and hour long trip into the lives of the singers and The Making of Mythology which is also an hour long.
This is an outstanding dvd, Celtic Thunder continues to deliver the best everytime. This one is probably one of the best as only really rehash one song without making changes and that is Seven Drunken Nights, other than that every song is new and the other being Danny Boy is a solo with a new intro verse.
My star rating for the Deluxe Version is: *****
My star rating for the Amazon Version is what I will post officially above.
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|The Best One Yet!,
I was lucky enough to receive my copy of Mythology six days before the release as I pre-ordered it from the official site. Yes, there is a deluxe version (which I ordered) which has more tracks and A LOT of bonus footage but for those who either can’t afford it or just want the basic version this is perfect.
I have been a fan of Celtic Thunder since the very first show and I have to say that this is the best show to date. The set is very striking and I thought that the stage being a large Celtic cross would be destracting but it adds to the feel of the show and drives the message home that the lads have gone back to their Celtic roots. Add in traditional dancers, powerful musical numbers, and some of the best musicians on the planet and you have a show that can’t be described without sitting down and just watching it.
Whether you have been a fan for years or if you’ve just been introduced to Celtic Thunder you don’t want to miss out on ‘Mythology’! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
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