The High Kings

[Avonlea22]

Is anybody here familiar with the new group, The High Kings? My mom just gave me a CD a yesterday, and their music is fantastic. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that they have any of their music here at CR, but you can read all about them and hear some of the music at their site: http://www.thehighkings.com/mainpage.html

[LadyJeanetta]

It was my mother that turned me on to the High Kings, as well Apparently she saw them perform in concert on our PBS station -- She went on and on about how they *looked* as good as they sound (which, ahem, they do).

They have quite a few clips available on YouTube. I was particularly impressed with their rendition of "Rocky Road to Dublin"--they give it such a fantastic edge. But their voices blend in such a lovely way when they sing together. Very impressive, and quite refreshing!

[maggiemahone1]

these guys are hot!!! I just watched them on youtube perform "the Parting Glass". A great video with lots of pipers in kilts! We definetly need some of their music here!!!

[CelticRadio]

We should have them up on our broadcast either tonight or tommorow! Great group!

[Avonlea22]

Awesome! Thanks

[LadyOfAvalon]

I've heard them for the first time on a PBS drive last week.
Great guys and fun.

[Robert Phoenix]

I saw the Cd at Barne's and Noble a couplew weeks beack and meant to post but stuff happens. The CD came out about the same time as Celtic Thunder but sadly was very overlooked. Hopefully with the PBS exposure it will fare much better. My own review can be sumed up this way. If someone I knew was new to Irish music and song and they wanted a good introduction to the music this would be one of the albums I would recommned. If you have been listen to irish songs for a long time this Cd is full of good renditions of old favorites.

[Robert Phoenix]

The High Kings have a new CD out called Memory Lane. It was released Feb 12th inthe UK but hasn't been released here in the US yet although it is available on itunes. Amazon has it as an import. Here is the tracklisting
Tracklisting 1. Step It Out Mary 2. As I Roved Out 3 The Fields Of Athenry 4. On The One Road Feat. The Wolfe Tones 5. Raglan Road 6. Whiskey in the Jar 7. Leaving For Liverpool 8. Red Is The Rose 9. Star Of The County Down 10. Boolavogue 11. Cavan Girl 12. The Rising Of The Moon 13. Green Fields Of France 14. The Irish Rover
I have no idea when it will be released to the US yet.

[mainopsman]

That's great to hear. They are from the same producers that gave us Celtic Woman, and they have performed with them a few times. Most of the group is made of of the sons of some of the older more famous Irish Singers.

They do give a great show, I saw them in Baltimore when they were here back in 2008. I'm looking forward to the new CD and hope they do have a DVD to go with it.

Jim

[Caz57]

Hi I saw this thread in a Google alert and joined up so I could reply. I am from the UK and help Darren Holden, one of the High Kings, run his myspace fansite, Youtube and Official Facebook page.

The High Kings Live in Dublin DVD and self titled CD, originally released in the US back in 2008, had a more produced and big show sound with a full band. Their live show went back to a more traditional sound early last year with the four guys on stage on their own playing all 13 intruments between them. Darren played accordion and mandolin professionally for the first time. The new show got a huge response from the Irish audiences and is the format used on their new CD Memory Lane. They signed to Universal Ireland at the end of last year and the new CD went straight in at number 5 in the Irish album charts, remained in the top 10 for 3 weeks, and is still at number 11 this week. They are currently 4 weeks in to a 25 date Irish tour and both the live show and album have had a fantastic response from both the public and the media. They are planning a return to the US, and to the UK and Europe, but no details as to when have been released as yet. I suspect the US release of Memory Lane will be scheduled to coincide with that.

The album is only available for download from iTunes Ireland, and unless you have an Irish credit card and billing address, they are unable to sell to you. The CD is available from Amazon.com as an import, but is quite expensive. It is also available for international shipping from Amazon.uk and I know a number of US fans that have purchased from there at a reasonable price. I am not aware of any plans for a DVD at this time.

The High Kings have appeared on a number of primetime TV shows in Ireland and I have recorded most of them over the last couple of years and put them on YouTube from my personal YouTube account. If you go to Darren's Official YouTube, you will find everything relating to Darren's solo career, and The High Kings, in playlists in one place, including the official videos from the DVD shown on PBS, and my TV uploads which have been added as favorites. Check them out and see them performing as they would in the live shows now.

Darren's Official YouTube

The High Kings, and the individual group members, all have official pages on Myspace with their own music. I also run an official Facebook for Darren Holden. The High Kings do have a Facebook page, but more recently have added a fan page 'Memory Lane Album' to promote the new album and tour. You might want to consider checking that out too.

Hope you find this information useful.

[Robert Phoenix]

Thanks for all the info Caz57. Looking forward to the new Cd and I'll check out the facebook page. I'll take the High Kings over Celtic Thunder any day.

[Donajhi]

LOVE THE HIGH KINGS..........and yes, I know I'm shouting...