Celtic Thunder, like Celtic Woman, is a group put together to market pop music with an Irish flavor. Celtic Thunder’s new CD, Take Me Home is a mixed bag. The Irish songs like “The Homes of Donegal” and “Midnight Well” are entertaining. But “Wichita Lineman”? Or “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”? Since when is Paul Anka Irish? Then there are the overdone songs, “Every Breath You Take” and “You Raise Me Up.” Sting and Josh Groban did them better. Celtic Thunder fans will buy this CD no matter what I say. But, for the rest of you, be warned. GRADE: C
The Neil Sedaka material is also odd, to say the least. Neil’s not very Irish, is he?
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As Deb pointed out, Jeff, I goofed up. Of course, it’s Neil Sedaka, not Paul Anka. Either way, the choice of material for this “celtic” CD is certainly bizarre.
Did you confuse Paul Anka with Neil Sedaka?
BTW, regarding this CD, I’ll pass, thanks.
You’re exactly right, Deb. I did confuse Paul Anka with Neil Sedaka on “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” I love the term “treachly,” Deb! Spot on!
I should have added:
Paul Anka: “Diana” and “Having My Baby”
Neil Sedaka: “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”
They’re all so treachly that it’s easy to get them confused.
Even though Celtic music is far from my favorite, I can’t believe these choices could strengthen or broaden their appeal.
Even stranger, Patti, is that CELTIC THUNDER doesn’t even sing songs like “Every Breath You Take” or “Wichita Lineman” in a Celtic mode. This CD is a complete conundrum to me.
No thanks to tis one.
Deb said “Paul Anka: âDianaâ and âHaving My Babyâ, Neil Sedaka: âHappy Birthday, Sweet Sixteenâ and âBreaking Up Is Hard to Doâ, Theyâre all so treachly that itâs easy to get them confused.”
She may think they’re “treachly”, which tells me she wasn’t in high school, in love when they were in the Top 40.
I consider “Having My Baby” one of the worst songs ever recorded, Rick. Treachly, indeed.
George, I got books by Glen Cook, Jace Vance and Vincent McCaffrey today.
Who is that Jace Vance person, Rick? He sounds interesting.
I was only referring to two songs: “Diana” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”. The rest: who cares?
The Vance guy is someone I saw something about on some blog or other. I got an omnibus of four “dying earth” novels.
THE DYING EARTH is one of my favorite books, Rick.
“Wichita Lineman” was written by Jimmy Webb.
No, I was not in high school during “Diana” and “Breaking Up…”; I was in high school for “Having My Baby” and a Neil Sedaka resurgence that started when the Captain and Tennile had a big hit with “Love Will Keep Us Together,” which was written by Sedaka. (I believe, although my memory is fuzzy, that Sedaka re-released “Breaking Up” around that time–or perhaps it just got a bit more radio play because of “Love Will Keep Us Together.”)
It’s always the seventies in my mind!
The Seventies were great years for music, Deb. “Do That to Me One More Time” is my favorite Captain and Tennile song.