Celtus – Reviewed by the Liverpool Daily Post on the 06th March, 2000 – by Andrew Judge

Celtus Reviewed by the Liverpool Daily PostIt’s a great achievement finally knowing you’ve got there. Celtus have paid their dues and they deserve it.

The band have supported Paul Carrack of Mike and the Mechanics fame, Deacon Blue and Jimmy Nail. It was about time it was their turn.

Each Merseyside gig has shown a professionalism that needed to be rewarded one day for its consistent high standards.

Liverpool audiences are renowned for sticking with support acts and it was a nice touch that Peter Smith of Liverpool band The Flame had a healthy house backing him on him acoustic set.

Celtus came on to blazing glory in a swirling Irish mist, John and Pat McManus and their keyboard man, Dan.

The great thing about this band from Northern Ireland is that they don’t compromise.

Their track record encompasses genres as tight as Crowded House and early Genesis. But Celtus are pure and simple – songs lyrical, whimsical and listenable.

Touch You, their last single, is a loving tribute to a love-gone-wrong scenario on stage. It’s followed by singer John who picks and chooses his pipes like an artist dabbing his next canvas for the next story.

Celtus sing and play from the heart on every song from the albums Moonchild and Portrait where the emotive delivery shines, especially on the epic Cathedral.

Their new album Rooted was given due prominence; the nautically nice song Navigator illustrating at last that the good ship Celtus has come in.

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