The Irish Tenors - Live From Belfast [VHS]

The popular group of three Irish tenors performs a lively program of ballads, folk songs, and Irish standards before an appreciative audience in Belfast. Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns, and Finbar Wright perform together and in solo spots (and John McDermott, who has performed with the group previously, sings two songs during a solo guest appearance). Decked out in cutaway coats and surrounded by an orchestra, the singers give full voice to such songs as "The Last Rose of Summer," "Fields of Athenry," "The Kerry Dance," and "Isle of Innisfree," a number whose appearance in a John Wayne film is duly noted. Those who fondly recall Van Morrison's collaboration with the Chieftains may find themselves fascinated by Finbar Wright's evocative version of "Carrickfergus," and the many devotees of Riverdance will no doubt enjoy that show's anthem, "Lift the Wings." As might be expected, the tenors have beautiful, classically trained voices, and they're able to transform even the most simple songs into soaring and majestic anthems, much to the delight of the audience. A cynic might consider the singing of the tenors to be an unchallenging mainstream presentation of Irish music, but it's all presented with good humor and many will find this highly entertaining. --Robert J. McNamara