Storm

Okay, back in 2009, Celtic Thunder filmed its 3rd DVD “It’s Entertainment.” However, the day it was filmed, “It’s Entertainment” was actually the second show. The first one was “Storm,” which was filmed and never released. But the fans knew it existed—one of the songs from “Storm” was featured on “Take Me Home” (Ryan Kelly’s “Midnight Well”). Fans clamored for it and finally wore producer Sharon Browne down. She released it to various PBS stations to air. The two in New York have not aired it, preferring to still air “Heritage.” I know others did the same, judging by responses posted on the Celtic Thunder Official Website. Some PBS stations refused to air them saying that “Heritage” didn’t bring in a lot of pledges. I’m not surprised. These are tough economic times and the cheapest pledge in New York is a $50 one!

Anyway, they released “Storm” on CD and DVD on September 20th. And thanks to Amazon, I was able to have it that day. So, this is strange to be using with a Celtic Thunder DVD but…

Let the Thunder and the SPOILERS roll!

“Storm” is a different type of show for Celtic Thunder. It actually tells a story. The show starts with a bunch of gypsies raiding a settlement. They are led by their king (Ryan Kelly) and his sister (Caroline Torti, sung by Charley Bird). The villagers awaken and chase the Gypsies off their land. The villagers and the gypsies then sing as the day begin, each claiming rights to the land (“New Day Dawning”). That night, Ryan sneaks into camp when the watch is asleep and sings about how enjoys being an outsider (“Outside Looking In”). The watch—the Young Buck (no, seriously, that’s how Damian McGinty is titled in this)—is upset that everyone still treats him like a child and extols his wisdom in “When You are 18.”

On the other end, the Head Villager (George Donaldson) sings about how he is the big cheese and how he plans to marry his daughter (Ruth O’Leary) in “Life in the Old Dog Yet.” However, she is more interested in Random Villager #1 (Neil Byrne). The suitor—the Landowner’s Son (Paul Byrom)—isn’t interested in her romantically either, waiting for his one true love (“She’s Not the One”).

That night, one of the villagers (Keith Harkin) reveals he is the Highwayman (Stand and Deliver). Highwaymen were robbers who rode horses, stealing from people as they travelled the roads. So the gypsies are trying to steal things already stolen. Behind him, a video shows him robbing a carriage and a noblewoman running away. Said noblewoman (Deidre Shannon) arrives at the village, singing about how she is attracted to “The Highwayman.” However, she notices an attraction between Keith and the gypsy woman. Then Random Villager #1, the Big Chief, the Lovelorn Landowner and the Young Buck get together to sing about love (“Lagan Love”).

It’s nighttime again and the Gypsy King is back. He sings about a girl who went missing, lured away by a gypsy (“Midnight Well”). As he sings, one of the village girls (Julianne Reilly) is lured away by him. Once they return to the gypsy camp, his sister emerges from the shadows. She dances about until she is spotted by the Highwayman (“Shadows Dancing”). They then dance together, while the Gypsy King watches in anger. Meanwhile, the Noblewoman comes out to sing “Harry’s Game.” I looked up the song—it’s a pre-existing one about how war and violence are never good.

As she sings, Lovelorn Landowner notices her. It is love at first sight for both of them (“Tender is the Night”). Meanwhile, the Big Chief waxes poetic about his golden years (“This Was My Life”) while the Young Buck and the Highwayman argue about the Young Buck (“Look at Me”). After this, the gypsies come for the final showdown with the villagers (“Hail the Hero (Mo Ghile Mear)”).

So…How was “Storm”?

Personally, I liked it. Then again, I like Broadway musicals so in a way, this was already right up my alley. That means I may have been able to follow the story better than most people, but it doesn’t take away from the overall entertainment “Storm” offers. So, let’s look at the songs.

George’s second song, “This Was My Life,” is a callback to his songs from “The Show.” However, “Life in the Old Dog” is the fun romp we’ve come to expect from the Scot. I prefer the first song over his second song, though George performs both admirably.

Ryan was the perfect choice to play the Gypsy King. Of course, he’s already the Dark Destroyer so it wasn’t too much of an image leap. I like that he’s the only one in the group (besides the percussion portion of the band) who is a gypsy. When I first ordered my copy of “Storm,” I was looking forward to getting it to see Ryan perform one last time. And now he’s back in the show! Everyone knew “Midnight Well” already, which I have loved since I first heard it on iTunes. “Outside Looking In” was a new treat for us. It sounds like it would be about someone wishing to join a group, but not in this case. Ryan is happy to be on the outside and enjoys his lifestyle. It almost edges out “Midnight Well.” Almost.

Paul is the ideal romantic. I always love his slow ballads—“She,” “Remember Me,” etc. And now I have “Not the One” and “Tender is the Night” to add to that. While I discuss Deirdre Shannon later with Charley Bird, her voice does blend well with Paul’s. I still prefer “Not the One,” where Paul sings about waiting for the woman meant for him. His tenor voice soars around the melody and I’ll really miss that man.

Another person I’ll miss is Damian. In this show, he has some of the best songs in my opinion. “When You are 18” is my favorite. The lyrics ring true for a cocky young man who is still trying to prove himself to those who still see him as too young. We have all felt like that at some point in our life. In his other song, he shares a duet called “Look at Me” which is a fun romp expanding on the themes of “When You Are 18.” However, he is acting off the older Keith, who is trying to show the boy he still has a lot of growing up to do. It’s a great interplay between the two, though in some ways, Keith comes off as a bit harsh. Damian isn’t bad, but it’s clear he only has one move when he wants to pack emotion. He’ll turn to the side and pump a fist down before raising it back up slowly. He’s certainly come along way from this to winning the Glee Project.

Keith has his own great solo, “Stand and Deliver.” It sets up his character as a rogue and a charmer. It is upbeat and hummable. And it fits Keith’s voice perfectly, proof that Phil Coulter wrote it for him. The video that plays behind him is a bit confusing. It shows the noblewoman leaving with someone to go on a carriage ride. Along the way, the Highwayman stops them and robs them. The song Keith sings as well as the song sung by Deirdre Shannon tell that the Highwayman is charming. It’s not portrayed well in the video. Shannon shows more terror than attraction.

Shannon herself is a nice addition. Both her songs are soft ballads and her voice lifts them to haunting qualities. There isn’t much expanded on her. She runs away to pursue the Highwayman but ends up with the Lovelorn Landowner.

As to the other woman, Charley Bird, only her voice is heard. But it is a lovely voice as well, lower than Shannon’s. At this point, most Celtic Thunder fans have already heard her on “It’s Entertainment” (“Just Like Jesse James”) and “Christmas” (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”). From these three, I think “Shadows Dancing” is my personal favorite. It really captures the gypsy aspect of the character as well as the forbidden aspect of her romance with Keith, complete with disapproving Ryan! As to Caroline Torti, the dancer, she is incredibly beautiful and believable as a gypsy. Her dark hair and dark eyes help with that. Her dancing is incredible, particular her solo during “Shadows Dancing.”

Last is Neil. This was before he was promoted to an occasional soloist. It’s easy to forget this though and a bit jarring to not see him credited in the beginning. But he’s a wonderful addition on “Lagan Love” and has some great interplay with the other lads in this show. Wish they had made this a few years later so that Neil could’ve had a bigger role, but this is fine.

I rate “Storm” very highly. The songs could stand on their own and not part of the show, which is always a plus. I particularly like their version of “Hail the Hero” (Mo Ghile Mear). And I’ll probably be adding “Not the One” into rotation along with “Recuerdme,” “She,” and “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.” Yes, I love me a Paul Byrom ballad.

So go watch “Storm.” Especially if you’ve been having Paul or Damian withdrawals.