LYNN — Celtic Thunder brought a little Christmas spirit to the city Sunday night.
The fab five, including Emmet Cahill, Michael O’Dwyer, Damian McGinty, Ryan Kelly and Neil Byrne, backed by a full symphony orchestra, delighted a near-capacity crowd at Lynn Auditorium with nearly two hours of Irish and holiday music.
This is the 10th anniversary for this outfit, which thundered into the pop music stratosphere thanks in part to PBS fundraising specials. It provides appealing entertainment that’s slick, smooth and wholesome. That’s not praise nor condemnation; Celtic Thunder has found its niche and does its job remarkably well.
Musical Director David Munro enthusiastically and vigorously conducted the orchestra, which included harp, bagpipes and tin whistle, that was crowded onto the Auditorium’s large stage.
When the five gents sang together, as they did in the Irish blessing “May the Road Rise to Meet You,” Phil Coulter’s “Take Me Home” and Elvis Presley’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” it was heavenly.
McGinty took the lead on “Feels Like Home” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You,” earning deserved loud applause. Cahill was the night’s brightest star: “This is the Moment” from Broadway’s “Jekyll & Hyde” musical and a strong reading of Christmas classic “O Holy Night” both drew extended ovations; this young man has a wondrous, expressive voice.
With the orchestra in overdrive, Kelly seized control of “House of the Rising Sun,” the Animals’ classic rock hit, aping Eric Burdon’s bluesy vocal. The audience stood and roared its approval at song’s end. It was a bit too theatrical for my taste.
After intermission, the singers and orchestra returned for 50 minutes of Christmas music. Some was sublime: “Carol of the Bells,” Byrne’s vocal on “Mary Did You Know?” and Kelly’s reading of the heartfelt “Christmas Morning, Donegal.” Less terrific was a medley of well-known holiday songs (“Sleigh Ride,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” etc.) that came off as forced and phony, with the five singers faking camaraderie and behaving like young actors acting badly. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” was more in the Rat Pack/”Jersey Boys” vein than one would expect at a Celtic show. Byrne, Kelly and O’Dwyer rushed through Leonard Cohen’s oft-performed “Hallelujah” that lacked Jeff Buckley’s power and restraint and Susan Boyle’s warmth. Bah humbug! I would’ve prefered more of the Irish repertoire than second-rate versions of overplayed holiday songs.
The evening, however, closed in winning fashion. The orchestra gave a lively performance of “Cal”/”Local Hero” that had more energy than anything all night. The boys returned, wearing kilts, and led the crowd in a rocking sing-along of “Ireland’s Call” that transformed the Auditorium into a rowdy rugby stadium.
