Product: Live At The Gem (2007)
Rating: 5.0
The Elders are the Party of the Century
(Please note: the author met The Elders as they flew right after their gig at the World Fest on the Belvedere above the Ohio River in downtown, Louisville, Kentucky to their gig as the headliner band on Saturday Night at the Irish Fest at Crown Center in Kansas City, where over 20,000 screaming fans and a sold out terrace lawn crowd, as fire marshals had to close stairways to the venue and shut off ticket sales at the gates for the safety of the crowds already waiting. Crowds of over 85,000 attended the Irish Fest 2007 were pleased. The Elders gave the Party of the Century and brought out the masses! This year's Irish fest wiped out the festival's debt!)My experience with The Elders in person and at a live concert:At Standiford International Airport, waiting in Southwest Airline's section, tapping my feet, listening to my ipod, relying on my CD uploads, my selected music to break up the boring monotony of waiting for a plane in Louisville, Kentucky's airport to board, and early at that. I was an easy mark for a nice bunch of leprechauns to step out and convert me to a new genre of music.Something so new to my ears: rock, with hints of pop rock, bluegrass, Celtic, Appalachian, country, a little jazz, sounds of such experienced showmen, wise directors and promoters of their craft, that under their seducing musical spell, I paused and took note. Something transfixed me. What is this pull? Something I instantly loved, something familiar...traces and reminiscences of an ancestor sailing to this shore...someone I knew long ago? How remarkable is this? As you listen, they share their Celtic stories and you will recognize them as someone worthy, someone you are supposed to know.The Elders' music takes you back to every American's roots regardless of your heritage...and fills your soul with the courage of your immigrant ancestors. The power in Brent Hoad's violin strings uplifts and sustains you. Its strength sings to your soul. The Elders make you remember the lessons of your ancestors who gave you life and teach you to honor and dance with your ghosts and fill you with enough heirloom courage for a lifetime.As The Elders play many different venues, from outdoor concerts to pubs, to whatever Kansas City fundraisers that appeal to them, this DVD, "Live at the Gem" gives you just a taste of their magic at indoor performances. Go see them in concert and share the fun and their madness: watch and hear them perform and be part of the Best Crowds they have ever seen![...]