Amazon.com: Throughout their four decades of championing traditional Irish music, the Chieftains have had to suffer their share of the peculiar Irish snubbing known as begrudgery. Precisely because they became so successful abroad, the Chieftains have always seemed to have to fight for recognition and validation on their home turf. So this concert video, filmed in 1991 at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, is gratifying as a splendid performance on its own and as a sweet homecoming. The program (also available on CD), which features several ensemble reels and hornpipes, guest appearances by Nanci Griffith and Roger Daltrey, notable solos, and a brief Irish dance segment, thoroughly engages the audience, a feeling palpable on the video.
Highlights include an a cappella solo by Kevin Conneff on the ballad "North Americay," a riotous flute solo on "The Mason's Apron" by Matt Molloy, and Griffith's lovely, lilting "Little Love Affairs" and "Red Is the Rose." Daltrey's bombast never really blends with the rest of the ensemble (there's a reason you've never heard a Celtic band take on "Behind Blue Eyes"), though his earnestness is appealing. All in all, fans of Irish music (and Griffith) will find this an enjoyable evening. --Anne Hurley
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Wonderful and lively!
The Chieftains are one of my favorite groups, always giving a lively, entertaining performance guaranteed to make you tap your feet and/or get up and dance. Some special additions to this, done live at ... Read More
Rating: - COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT, but was a disaster
. Most viewers may not know that there have been at least three versions of this performance; the original live performance in Belfast; the edited video tape of the live performance that was shown on ... Read More
Rating: - I was blown over
Concert films are by their nature uneven. And if said concert is by someone of whom you've never heard, there is little room for experimentation.
Or so I thought when I found out I had won The ... Read More
Rating: - The Chieftains are treasures/this DVD is a qualified must
This one has its high and low points. The overall length, video and audio quality may make this one a hard sell to other than those who just have to have every Chieftains concert. The video seems fuzzy and ... Read More
Rating: - Superlatives are not just not sufficient, save for one thing
This is a rather excellent concert filmed in 1991. The vibrant energy of the playing as only the Chieftains can put across, the unbelievable skill displayed by a young Jean Butler Irish dancing how it should ... Read More
- Wonderful and lively!
- COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT, but was a disaster
- The Chieftains are treasures/this DVD is a qualified must