Celtic Thunder and Sarah Palin

Celtic Thunder opened their North American Tour in Binghamton Friday night. The show started with a flourish with very promising visual effects, strong rhythmic drumming and a powerful opening number. The musicians were excellent, the setting encouraging and the substance – just not up to it.

The vocalists were extremely talented --- and extremely raw. In five or six years each of these artists could be really big stars, but they are not ready yet. They hit all their marks at all the right times, but it was clear they were hitting marks and counting their timing. Nothing was natural, nothing flowed. There were some excellent moments, but some flat ones as well.

And to be honest, the show itself seemed disconnected. When one of the old Celtic Standards is “Puppy Love” you have to scratch your head. And when a series of songs are upbeat and the audience is starting to get involved, why follow with a slow sad ballad?

Thursday night saw Sarah Palin come to our TV. The debate also started with great promise and to some degree delivered. Sarah may also be a big star in five or six years, but her time has not yet come. She hit all her marks, had her timing down, had some very good moments, but also had some “Palin Speak” moments. They sounded good, but on closer examination, were slightly incoherent. I think of the quote attributed to Eisenhower, “Things are more like they are today, than they have ever been before.” Profound but puzzling.

I did think both people enjoyed being there and appreciated and respected the other side. Refreshing. Then Sarah went on the attack Saturday with the “Paling around with terrorists” stuff and she just looked desperate and mean. Too bad.