From Independent.ie

[OldFatGuy]

Riverdance meets a well-heeled Wild Rover

With their sculpted pouts and multiple wardrobe changes, The High Kings apply a Riverdance gloss to the salty trad anthems made famous by The Clancys and The Dubliners.

for full article.

[cool2it]

Thanks for the article, Rich!!!  I hope to get to see them again--- soon!!

[Maggie]

This review is exactly what I expected from the mainstream Irish Media.
Full of sarcasm and cynicism, there is more than one clue here why CW has not really "caught on" in Ireland.
Quote Independent.ie:

"Broadway-style flourishes do not necessarily sit happily with Irish roots music and alarm bells clang when The High Kings don Aran sweaters or share the stage with pirouetting bodhran thumpers."

THKs will have to tread carefully at home, but I think they are on the right track. They need to play a séisiún now and again in their home towns and elsewhere, like their fathers did, to give them "street cred".
If they listen to their hearts, they will win over the home crowd.
Word-of-mouth matters more in Ireland than slick reviews.

In other words:
Arr, don't mind 'em lads, ye did grand!"

[Jason]

Thanks Rich!

What caught my eye is..

"Not that there's anything cynical or calculating about their high-concept take on fireside favourites such as 'Rocky Road to Dublin' and 'Star of the County Down'."

They're doing Star of the County Down at their shows?

[Trouble]

Ahh, I got this in my email! It was a good article. 

[zankoku]

I think it shows thatthere is a vast difference between American and Irish audiences.

JIm

[nbrock]

From what I hear the AUDIENCES love THK.  They've gotten standing ovations at all the shows.  I think this may just be a case of the snooty press trying to tell folks what they should think.  Hmmmm, I think they often do that here too!!
Norma

[cool2it]

Great point, Norma!!  It's ONE guys opinion TRYING to sway people into thinking like he does.  I have often seen reviews on movies that really knock one that I thought was good -- and boxoffice reciepts proved it was, too.  If people like the guys, then they will be successful-- if not-- send them back to us, we love 'em, and will support them!!

[Maggie]

That's what I've been saying all along.
Yes, there is a big difference between Irish and American audiences.
The Irish and British media can be brutal......but until the public see CW or THK for yourself, that's all they have to go on.
The people are not dumb, they know critics are pompous and conceited, trying to make a name for themselves and are not to be taken too seriously.

"Not that there's anything cynical or calculating about their high-concept take on fireside favourites such as 'Rocky Road to Dublin' and 'Star of the County Down'."
They're doing Star of the County Down at their shows?

The great thing about this Tour is they played in Belfast on 7th and are playing in Derry on 12th.......both in Northern Ireland.
Hence the addition of Star of the County Down.

They may even have sung "Green Glens of Antrim" in Belfast.

It's certain the roof will be raised in Derry.
I would love to be there, it will be very emotional.
One popular Derry song is "The Town I loved so well" but I don't know if they would sing it, they may think it's still too controversial in light of the Peace Process.
 
THE TOWN I LOVE SO WELL (2nd verse)
But when I returned how my eyes have burned
to see how a town could be brought to its knees
By the armoured cars and the bombed out bars
and the gas that hangs on to every tree
Now the army's installed by that old gasyard wall
and the damned barbed wire gets higher and higher
With their tanks and their guns, oh my God, what have they done
to the town I loved so well.

HOWEVER, THE LAST VERSE IS ABOUT PEACE AND A BRIGHT NEW DAY:

Now the music's gone but they carry on
For their spirit's been bruised, never broken
They will not forget but their hearts are set
on tomorrow and peace once again
For what's done is done and what's won is won
and what's lost is lost and gone forever
I can only pray for a bright, brand new day
in the town I loved so well.

Written by Phil Coulter

[07-sara]

I like the lyrics to that song Maggie.  Critics  are entitled to their opinion even if we don't agree with it.

[Kimberly AJ]

So are there the full lyrics of the song you revealed?

[timi]

Great job OFG (if you dont mind the initials )