Check out this awesome behind-the-scenes Riverdance documentary from 1996, with loads of backstage & rehearsal footage, from the 1994 Interval Act, the 1995 shows with Michael Flatley, and the 1996 New York shows with Colin Dunne, and interviews with everyone involved: th-cam.com/video/MxLZDMXgQPY/w-d-xo.html
I was lucky enough to have seen a life show! Not this one, later in Anchorage. Thank you so much for putting it here, It is one of the greatest shows ever! It is so powerful when the music and the actors are real life and not silly cartoons and stupid soap operas! The artistic performance and is outstanding. I can't even imagine how much it needed to get this all together for a life performance. I think we are lucky that we had still life music and performances, the young people today can't even fathom what this means!
All these dancers have long retired, with most of them being in their 60s. but their impact on the world of Irish dance is still being felt today at 2024.
I know Flatley was 35 when he did the Eurovision Riverdance performance in 1994), but I wonder if there are younger dancers (talking about the troupe on the whole ofc) who are probably only in their late, late 40s at best.
@DanknDerpyGamer Most of the dancers were in their teens and twenties with some in their early thirties. One female troupe dancer was just 15 when the show opened. She is now 45. Therefore, most of the dancers are now in their late 40s to mid-50s, though there are also some now in their late 50s to early 60s. Then, of course, there is Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. Flatley was 36 while Butler was 23. He is 66 now while she is 53.
When I was a little girl, I remember watching Michael and Jean walking away at the end of Lift the Wings, and seeing her in that green dress. 4 year old me thought it was the most beautiful dress in the world, and to this day, that humble outfit still remains in my head as one of the most beautiful creations I have ever seen.
It takes dedication and self-discipline to achieve such perfection. Hats off to each and every one of the dancers involved👍👏 I'm watching this in 2024. I'm sure people will be watching this in awe for many years to come 🥳💞
An amazing show to me as a kid...a MINDBLOWING SHOW as an adult!! GOD BLESS everyone connected with RiverDance! Thank you for inspiring a lonely, little boy in the mountains to dance and sing.
Thank you SO much for posting this!! I grew up watching this show on VHS at my grandmother's house, and hearing the full show again -- this specific version from 1995, exactly the same as when I was a child -- is giving me full-body goosebumps. (Also, come on, admit it, who else tried to dance like them when you were alone, and tripped over your own feet 😂✋)
@@FireHeart2829 When I was a child, my mom always skipped that segment (as well as some of the other singing segments) because she found it jarring next to all the pretty celtic dancing. So maybe your parent did the same, and you don't remember?
Growing up my parents didn't allow us to watch TV a lot but I remember being 5 or 6 years old and this being one of the first things I ever watched with my older brother....loved it so much that I wore our vhs out 😂😂 The way the music made me feel, the graceful movements and the way the dancers all came together like family It made me want to grow up and become an Irish step dancer.....and so I did😂❤
Being of ScotIrish descent on maternal side great grandparents migrated to America from Belfast Northen Ireland this fantastic performance awakened my deep love for the music of my ancestors.
Me to, in July, and yes, a fantastic experience! I was moved to tears several times, at the beauty and talent, and the joy of finally being able to see the show! Michael Flately's "ghost"was everywhere! 😍
@@marcybrooks3425 I was born in 1992 so I have to base my opinion on a show that I actually saw live and one that I’ve seen on video + I don’t remember every detail of the 25 years show but: - Seems to me like there are more dancers in the original version, which makes it even more impressive (though this may be due to the size of the stage?) - Music is almost identical, but not as much musicians on scene as the original, which I think is a shame. Riverdance is not just about the dancing, the music plays a huge role. Though the musicians in the 25 years were amazing. Also the gospel parts were not in the 25-year show (or at least not like this?) which is a shame because it is amazing. That being said, I prefer the “Harlem to Hollywood” version now. But that is more thanks to the dancers, who had incredible stage presence, than due to the music. - The coordination among dancers at some points seems better in the 25 year version I than the original version, but that might be just very subjective. - I personally prefer the female main dancer from the 25 years version, but again, that’s my opinion ;-) but she had this energy about her … Though I think I might prefer the male main dancer (is he also the one playing the clarinet at one point??) from the original one (though the male dancer from the recent version is excellent) - Also prefer the dancer from Firedance today. This lady has an indescribable aura about her. Mesmerized from start to finish as soon as she stepped on stage. (Not saying that the original version is not as good, but this lady in the recent version had an incredible impact on me) All of that being said, I think both versions are amazing and I like the fact that 25 years later, they still stuck to tradition with a little touch of “new”. But you asked for my opinion, so here it is 🙂
@@marcybrooks3425 it doesn't. There is no comparison. I saw the original as a kid (I was about 11) and the anniversary show last night. Side by side, the anniversary show is a fraction of its former glory. The music is the same in some places but from the audience it is very clear that this is an incredibly scaled-down version. It's meant to fit into smaller venues, so I understand why it is smaller. But it also FEELS smaller, if that makes sense. Kinda like the difference between going to the Super Bowl vs going to a high school football game in a big city with a dozen high schools and no championship dreams. It was honestly disappointing. I get that you can't make it as big and splashy as the original, but you can try. Feels they didn't. The new kid at the helm is a great dancer, but he just doesn't have the flair and passion of Michael Flatley. He just seemed rather dull and automated. Watching Flatley dance in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that simply cannot be matched. The lead male dancer in the anniversary show was very good, but he was very obviously lacking the charm, charisma, and energy of Flatley. The show has replaced Flatley's big solo towards the end with a drum solo and there's much less dancing overall in the new version. Also the new show seems much less cohesive. There's not really storyline in either iteration, because that's the point; it's a series of vignettes rather than a full story. It seems pretty disjointed. The canned music was louder than the singers/dancers at several moments and the lighting team had trouble keeping up. All in all, the anniversary show felt like a really well-funded high school theater production
I watched this on a crappy burnt to vhs copy as a kid thousands of times! Watching it as an adult and im still brought to tears. It’s all so beautiful to listen to and watch! Thank you for sharing!
Im not trying to be a smart aleck or mean. Just want to say we called it "taped VHS" or "recorded VHS". Burning a cd or DVD was done on a computer or DVD writer. Most of the time both cassettes and VHS were casually called tapes. Sorry, as someone who was always recording my favorite shows, making mixed tapes and cd's, I had to say something. 😊
This is the Best version you can listen to it was recorded in 1995 with the original dancers, singers and musicians that first brought it to beautiful Life.
Thanks for the higher quality upload. Here is a group of people who 100% believed in the job they were doing, must have been tough work but magical at the same time. The dedication is evident. Nothing has matched this early performance, nothing. The massive high level talent of Flatley and Butler was unparalleled. Pure passion. Jean Butler literally floats, amazing. All the other artists, musicians and performers just took it to the top. All those years ago but like new every time I watch it.
Still get chills when Flatley bursts onto the stage full speed at 5:22 and then at 6:23 when he leads the troupe. The music is so epic and has so much emotion it’s just incredible.
This has been music for my soul since I was four years old! I’ve loved Irish music for so long and I believe this is what sparked it! ❤ This will always bring tears to my eyes!!!
Two gods of this dance - Michael Flatley and Jean Butter. Equal to each other like Yin and Yang. When they are together on stage, it’s just impossible to describe by words. Totally mesmerizing and stunning!
Мама в 1995 году на кассете принесла это шоу домой.Мне было тогда 17 лет.Сейчас мне 46 и я плачу.Я как будто вернулась в то прекрасное время,где я учусь в университете,я полна планов и надежд и мамочка жива.Спасибо создателям шоу.😢😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@elizabethmullhall8226 i think that overstates things a bit. He was great, but everyone in this show was great, especially the music and general production.
thank you for uploading this piece of my childhood. I grew up watching this on VHS and it sparked my passion for all things Celtic which lead to me discovering my own celtic heritage.
And who doesn’t like this?? Then I would say your vibrations are low! Growing up in the 60s 70s we did country dancing at school, and have to say the only time I smiled and laughed so hard as a child. Dancing is great for the soul! Going to have to go see this…..and thoughts are with Michael and his family at this hard time! Prayers 🙏🏻
I was in awe when I saw this show for the first time in 95. Coming from a background of being a ballet dancer, I can appreciate the effort put forward by each and everyone who participated in Riverdance. To me, nothing has compared in beauty and excellence.
Wow, I just found this video on TH-cam today. I saw the original TV broadcast back when it first aired in New York PBS and I didn't know that there were all those other performances that were cut out of the broadcast and the VHS tape afterwards. I'm seeing the full Riverdance show on here for the first time now! What a shame that the African American singers (except for just the one song they sang) and the 3 tap dancers were not seen at all by the PBS audience back then. And years after they still were not included, as if they didn't even exist. They must have felt terribly cheated at how they were edited out. Thank you for posting this original full version of Riverdance 1995 in 720p with the great Michael Flatley and Jean Butler and ALL of the wonderful singers and dancers who performed on that stage. Much appreciated!
It’s a bit strange to watch this without commercial break with some dude, asking you to make donations 😂 And I really wanted to make a check or money order to get a coffee cup. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to go on Amazon. 😅
It's amazing how many of her joints she is using to express herself the entire time...the DETAIL...She is NEVER mailing it in...She is always ALL in.,!
We have the original PBS VHS tape from 1995, and hadn't watched it in probably 15+ years or so. This remaster is fantastic!! We watched it on our Samsung 55" curved screen tv last night and couldn't get over how sharp the picture was. Plus, this is the full uncut version and had scenes that weren't included in the VHS tape we have. Well done, and thank you!
my mom is german-irish. i grew up on Celtic music. this show premiering was a huge deal for her. i asked a lot of questions naturally!! So proud of my Scots-Irish heritage. Thank you for showing the entire show on youtube. So soothing for me. I play it while cleaning\ doing college homework or around my birthday in April. Sincerest thanks. Victoria Elisabeth Ingram!!
This was my childhood. My father used to watch this all the time when I was a kid. He would tell me how much he desired to be a part of Riverdance. I’m glad I can hold on to these good memories. Back when times were much simpler.
We wore out our VHS copy growing up… Not enough people talk about Spillane’s performance. It’s almost at the level of Tolkien world-building in a music format. 20 years later, and the first few lines of Caoineadh Cú Chulainn still nearly bring me to tears. I can’t hear a single performance on uilleann pipes without immediately thinking of Spillane.
I was in Dublin in February, 1995 visiting my fiancé. Lisa had gotten tickets to an amazing new show at the Point Theater she wanted us to see. I did not really want to go. As it turned out, that show was Riverdance that was in its second week of production. The show was sold out. At the end of each number the cheering and applause was so loud you could not hear anything else. It was the greatest show I had ever seen, then and now.
I told several people you have to see them , yes in NYC they did. Brillant strong they were shocked what a great time they had bought booklet s & several cd's Thankyou I never got the chance but I knew no one would be disappointed .
Thank you, Michael, flatly for bringing the lord of the dance to our screens over the years. Your dance is magic. God bless Ireland 🇮🇪 I've got a lot of irish ancestry. I love your music, Michael, flatly. Thank you again, and God bless you, bye .
From the very first time I watched RIVERDANCE, each & every time since I have held my breath in awe of this truely beautiful demonstration of Irish dance. I’m not getting any younger as time goes by, but I still at each & every time I play the video, or any part of the video, proudly shed tears of utter joy, listening to the dance so wonderfully portrayed by the master, Jean & the team, I’m honoured to say I’m Irish, & this dance is timeless….
🎉🎉❤✅💞im not Irish but s spanic 💃🔊🎼🎵🎶but i always weat 💚 because i been living here 🇺🇸 45 yrsrs 🎉🎉Saint Patrick 😇💚🟢🟩🇮🇹🏞️🌲🌳and i love these show and 🕺💃👫👫👫👫👩❤️👨👩❤️👨River danze is soo beutiful 💯✅🛐✝️✡️😇Irland🇮🇹🤩😍🥰😘
In the part of the world where I live we can't dream of watching them alive so to find them on TH-cam with such high quality is a privilege... Really thanks and i would appreciate another works
Δεν υπάρχουν λόγια για να χαρακτηρίσει κανείς αυτή την αριστουργηματική παράσταση! Οποιοδήποτε θερμό λόγο και έπαινο να πει κανείς, είναι λίγος! Ο Michael Flatley είναι πάνω από καταπληκτικός και στο ίδιο επίπεδο κινούνται και η Jean Butler και η Anuna. Αλλά και οι υπόλοιποι χορευτές, χορεύτριες, τραγουδίστριες και μουσικοί είναι πραγματικά υπέροχοι. Αυτά το απίστευτο καλλιτεχνικό επίτευγμα έφερε το Riverdance στην κορυφή των πολιτισμικών εκδηλώσεων σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο.
This came out the year I was born, and we had a copy on VHS, and was the closest thing I had to my Celtic heritage growing up in Australia. My sister and I used to watch this regularly as kids, in absolute awe of the dancers! It was so influential it made us take up tap dancing for a few years. So grateful a quality version is available to take me on this massive nostalgia trip! Every performance still gives me goosebumps!
Same for me on all three counts, except I grew up in Idaho USA! I have a great deal of Celtic heritage and this music and dancing was more enchanting than anything in the world. I would have taken Irish dancing but I was too remote to find a class. At least we can watch it here :)
I got to the watch the river dance this year when I was in Ireland. I had a great time in Ireland I felt very welcome . I enjoyed visiting Dublin Galway Killarney and kilrush.
Thank You,very,very much!I am living in Hamburg/Northgermany and was never able to see Michael Flatley live on Stage.I just see the short Tapping Scene,in Ireland Grand Prix. After it I only seen Lord of Dance,Feet of Flames,Celtic Tiger.....!But only on DVD!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉And now,He is not longer dancing!😢😢😢Thank you,for the first Riverdance Show,with Michael Flatley! I love the way he is dancing and how he looks!❤❤❤
I'm so glad this is on youtube since I have no way to play my old VHS! It's Bill Whelan's music just as much as the dancing that makes this version of the show so incredible, the feeling and drive and excitement behind the songs and the rhythms just never gets old!!
I saw the Rockettes at Radio City when I was very young, I played classical music throughout school, earned my BFA from VCU in Lighting and Sound Design… as far as performing groups go these guys make everyone look like they are going in reverse at 3x the speed of sound. Theses guys are a MACHINE, absolutely beautiful, poetry in motion.❤
The nostalgia; VHS, only one TV in the house and mom's reaction every single time; "you're watching Riverdance again?!" The tape was collecting dust the first 3 years we had it till one Saturday morning, I woke up early and while everyone was still sound asleep, I accidentally watched this as I actually wanted to watch Snow White :) come to think of it ...1995 is just as far away as 2051....
My son saw this on VHS when he was almost a year old and he has been fascinated by this style of dancing ever since. He even got himself a pair of shoes in case Riverdance called. We went to see this show in Hartford, CT and I half expected him to get on stage.
I AM 1/4 IRISH AND MY MOTHER AND I SAW RIVERDANCE WHEN THEY WERE IN CONNECTICUT YEARS AGO!! IT WAS AND STILL IS FANTASTIC!! AND I LOVE THE MUSIC!! LESLEY FAY HANSON
One of the best shows I've ever seen. Wonderful variety of music and dance, outstanding talent. Everyone appeared to be having a marvelous time performing. Loved it!
In the 90’s I was a visual manager for a store called Natural Wonders. We played at this CD and video often. Such a joy to rediscover it all these years later in 2024!
I was just 13 years old when my teacher at school Mrs. Lumsden put this show on for the friday afternoon assembly and to say I loved it is an understatement!
Very impressive footwork no doubt and the main or lead dancer wasn’t even breathing hard now that takes discipline and hard work for all of the dancers,Very well done to all of the dancers
Born in 1990, this was one of my favorite VHS tapes growing up as a kid. Even in later years when CDs were more popular, I had the CD Soundtrack of this show and would listen to it all the time. Whether it be on my bike to and from school, while cleaning the Kitchen after Dinner or when in bed with my boombox next to my bed. I feel this show is what really made me enjoy the music of other cultures outside of America whether it be Celtic, K/J-Pop or even Bollywood. This is the show and music that started the journey of Cultural Music Fascination for me.
Watched this with my Grandmother a few years before she passed away. She was in awe and really enjoyed it. I have to be honest I love it too. I can picture her sitting in her chair at my Grandmother's house watching the Tube TV memorized at this performance. She would look at me and say, "how can they do that." It's awesome.
The beginning music is so hautingly beautiful. It's 80 degrees where I am and I'm covered in goosebumps, while also bawling my eyes out at the fact that my Dad was still alive during this, and I'm sorry, but 1995, was sooooooooooo much better of a time for almost everyone. The fact that these dancers are so talented still blows my mind. Thank you for posting!!
I watched this on vhs so many times, and my version left out five songs, an intro, and didn't have tap dancers dressed like they were out of a 90's sitcom irish tap dancing.
MAGNIFICO! FENOMENAL! MARAVILLOSO!! Gracias por poner esta maravillosa Performance en video por esta plataforma. Hace muchos años lo vi por primera vez esta danza Irlandesa y me quede maravillada de ver este par de danzarines, creo que él es Davis, ella, no recuerdo su nombre, la bailaora flamenca Page, la cantante joven que tiene una voz de Ángel. Felicitaciones a todo el Elenco. No sé porque dejaron de hacer sus presentaciones?😢 Cuando los veo bailar más la música maravillosa, siento una felicidad profunda en mi ❤️. Bendiciones para todos. ❤❤❤
River dance 1995 I found to be absolutely exhilarating and fresh, exotic and greatly inspirational and also impressive in dancing, footwork, and kicking up and much more ! I was blessed by it ! Johan Badenhorst Theatre Designer, South Africa.
Thank you for posting this. I have long loved Riverdance, and the original version with Michael Flatley. I also love Jean Butler and whoever she is dancing with.
I saw the live show years ago with Michael Flately at the Stanley Theatre in Utica. It was the most spectacular show I had ever seen. They are all brilliant actresses and actors. A show to be seen at least once in your lifr
Check out this awesome behind-the-scenes Riverdance documentary from 1996, with loads of backstage & rehearsal footage, from the 1994 Interval Act, the 1995 shows with Michael Flatley, and the 1996 New York shows with Colin Dunne, and interviews with everyone involved: th-cam.com/video/MxLZDMXgQPY/w-d-xo.html
I was lucky enough to have seen a life show! Not this one, later in Anchorage. Thank you so much for putting it here, It is one of the greatest shows ever!
It is so powerful when the music and the actors are real life and not silly cartoons and stupid soap operas! The artistic performance and is outstanding. I can't even imagine how much it needed to get this all together for a life performance.
I think we are lucky that we had still life music and performances, the young people today can't even fathom what this means!
2024grahambrit,norfolk,UK,hoping to see the live show soon
Thank you, when ever I need something to uplift me, I watch Riverdance.
The world is small,very small .wacht this.PHONIX ,CANTAFABULE
🎉😂
Who's still watching this Great show in 2024
Ja oglądam i zapiera mi oddech
@@HalinaSurmik
u mnie też jest tak samo, jest pięknie
I still watch it constantly as it’s absoutely fantastic and even everyone is fantastic and absoutely brilliant and still a 10/10
Me 💙
Always. Dance is in my soul
Who's watching this in 2024.
Love it.❤❤❤❤
Me! ✋🏻
I am....always! LOVE Riverdance!!
2024❤😅
I watched this on VHS at least 100 times as a kid. Absolutely amazing!
SAME :)
Im almost 37 - and i swere, this on VHS, the nostalgia, better times.
Sigh
I'm 28 and this will never get old
Same here ❤ I actually damaged my VHS tape of this I played it so much from 8 years old (when released) to about 13
Same! Such an amazing show
All these dancers have long retired, with most of them being in their 60s. but their impact on the world of Irish dance is still being felt today at 2024.
I know Flatley was 35 when he did the Eurovision Riverdance performance in 1994), but I wonder if there are younger dancers (talking about the troupe on the whole ofc) who are probably only in their late, late 40s at best.
@DanknDerpyGamer Most of the dancers were in their teens and twenties with some in their early thirties. One female troupe dancer was just 15 when the show opened. She is now 45. Therefore, most of the dancers are now in their late 40s to mid-50s, though there are also some now in their late 50s to early 60s. Then, of course, there is Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. Flatley was 36 while Butler was 23. He is 66 now while she is 53.
When I was a little girl, I remember watching Michael and Jean walking away at the end of Lift the Wings, and seeing her in that green dress. 4 year old me thought it was the most beautiful dress in the world, and to this day, that humble outfit still remains in my head as one of the most beautiful creations I have ever seen.
When I was little (3 or 4), I would dance in front of the TV and copy Jean Butler. Her beautiful dresses and movements have stuck with me ever since
It takes dedication and self-discipline to achieve such perfection. Hats off to each and every one of the dancers involved👍👏 I'm watching this in 2024. I'm sure people will be watching this in awe for many years to come 🥳💞
2024...my mom loved this..I wish I could have taken her to one performance before she died..love you mom!
An amazing show to me as a kid...a MINDBLOWING SHOW as an adult!! GOD BLESS everyone connected with RiverDance! Thank you for inspiring a lonely, little boy in the mountains to dance and sing.
Years later this still gives me goosebumps
Me too
❤️
Birth
Just seen and heard this, just amazing, a very talented musician, I can't stop playing it,
Doesn’t get any easier as years go by…..TRUELY AWSOME
River Dance is the best thing that hit the music and dance world in the last 100 years. I watch it over and over and saw two live perforances.
Me too! Three live performances and watched VHS tape until disintegration.
100 years, eh?
Goodness, you must have been sleeping.
@@arminhanik4207Name something comparable, or better. Ballet, and opera don't count. You can't can you.
No words for Jean Butler, what an icon.
Thank you SO much for posting this!! I grew up watching this show on VHS at my grandmother's house, and hearing the full show again -- this specific version from 1995, exactly the same as when I was a child -- is giving me full-body goosebumps.
(Also, come on, admit it, who else tried to dance like them when you were alone, and tripped over your own feet 😂✋)
I watched this as a child too but for the life of me I cannot remember the Harlem to Hollywood segment!! Has it always been in the video?
@@FireHeart2829 When I was a child, my mom always skipped that segment (as well as some of the other singing segments) because she found it jarring next to all the pretty celtic dancing. So maybe your parent did the same, and you don't remember?
Riverdance turned 30 yesterday 🥲. This show is still amazing 🙌🏾
Congr...
Growing up my parents didn't allow us to watch TV a lot but I remember being 5 or 6 years old and this being one of the first things I ever watched with my older brother....loved it so much that I wore our vhs out 😂😂
The way the music made me feel, the graceful movements and the way the dancers all came together like family It made me want to grow up and become an Irish step dancer.....and so I did😂❤
Being of ScotIrish descent on maternal side great grandparents migrated to America from Belfast Northen Ireland this fantastic performance awakened my deep love for the music of my ancestors.
I am so glad you found your joy and stuck with it. I'm sure it comes across in your dance!
Recently went to Dublin and saw the Riverdance 25 years anniversary show at Gaiety Theatre, one of the most incredible shows I have ever seen.
Me to, in July, and yes, a fantastic experience! I was moved to tears several times, at the beauty and talent, and the joy of finally being able to see the show! Michael Flately's "ghost"was everywhere! 😍
Me too and it was underwhelming. Not very Irish anymore, unfortunately.
How would you compare it with the original?
@@marcybrooks3425
I was born in 1992 so I have to base my opinion on a show that I actually saw live and one that I’ve seen on video + I don’t remember every detail of the 25 years show but:
- Seems to me like there are more dancers in the original version, which makes it even more impressive (though this may be due to the size of the stage?)
- Music is almost identical, but not as much musicians on scene as the original, which I think is a shame. Riverdance is not just about the dancing, the music plays a huge role. Though the musicians in the 25 years were amazing. Also the gospel parts were not in the 25-year show (or at least not like this?) which is a shame because it is amazing. That being said, I prefer the “Harlem to Hollywood” version now. But that is more thanks to the dancers, who had incredible stage presence, than due to the music.
- The coordination among dancers at some points seems better in the 25 year version I than the original version, but that might be just very subjective.
- I personally prefer the female main dancer from the 25 years version, but again, that’s my opinion ;-) but she had this energy about her … Though I think I might prefer the male main dancer (is he also the one playing the clarinet at one point??) from the original one (though the male dancer from the recent version is excellent)
- Also prefer the dancer from Firedance today. This lady has an indescribable aura about her. Mesmerized from start to finish as soon as she stepped on stage. (Not saying that the original version is not as good, but this lady in the recent version had an incredible impact on me)
All of that being said, I think both versions are amazing and I like the fact that 25 years later, they still stuck to tradition with a little touch of “new”. But you asked for my opinion, so here it is 🙂
@@marcybrooks3425 it doesn't. There is no comparison. I saw the original as a kid (I was about 11) and the anniversary show last night. Side by side, the anniversary show is a fraction of its former glory. The music is the same in some places but from the audience it is very clear that this is an incredibly scaled-down version. It's meant to fit into smaller venues, so I understand why it is smaller. But it also FEELS smaller, if that makes sense. Kinda like the difference between going to the Super Bowl vs going to a high school football game in a big city with a dozen high schools and no championship dreams. It was honestly disappointing. I get that you can't make it as big and splashy as the original, but you can try. Feels they didn't. The new kid at the helm is a great dancer, but he just doesn't have the flair and passion of Michael Flatley. He just seemed rather dull and automated. Watching Flatley dance in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that simply cannot be matched. The lead male dancer in the anniversary show was very good, but he was very obviously lacking the charm, charisma, and energy of Flatley. The show has replaced Flatley's big solo towards the end with a drum solo and there's much less dancing overall in the new version. Also the new show seems much less cohesive. There's not really storyline in either iteration, because that's the point; it's a series of vignettes rather than a full story. It seems pretty disjointed. The canned music was louder than the singers/dancers at several moments and the lighting team had trouble keeping up. All in all, the anniversary show felt like a really well-funded high school theater production
I watched this on a crappy burnt to vhs copy as a kid thousands of times! Watching it as an adult and im still brought to tears. It’s all so beautiful to listen to and watch! Thank you for sharing!
And not a moment was wasted....I'm so glad you got to enjoy this with all of us.
Im not trying to be a smart aleck or mean. Just want to say we called it "taped VHS" or "recorded VHS". Burning a cd or DVD was done on a computer or DVD writer. Most of the time both cassettes and VHS were casually called tapes. Sorry, as someone who was always recording my favorite shows, making mixed tapes and cd's, I had to say something. 😊
Happy St Patrick's Day! 🤗🥰🇨🇮☘️💜✨ Respect and let's keep it traditional! So keep the Guinness flowing! 🍻☘️🇨🇮🤣
This is the Best version you can listen to it was recorded in 1995 with the original dancers, singers and musicians that first brought it to beautiful Life.
Riverdance is phenomenal
This happened nearly 30 years ago, and it's never been bettered. Lightning in a bottle.
Es konnte nie verbessert werden ,weil es die besten waren die es damals geschaffen haben....einfach hinreißend...phänomenal, man findet keine Worte❤❤❤
Thanks for the higher quality upload.
Here is a group of people who 100% believed in the job they were doing, must have been tough work but magical at the same time. The dedication is evident.
Nothing has matched this early performance, nothing. The massive high level talent of Flatley and Butler was unparalleled. Pure passion.
Jean Butler literally floats, amazing. All the other artists, musicians and performers just took it to the top. All those years ago but like new every time I watch it.
Completely agree.
My daughter was born the year this came out. When she couldn't sleep I'd pop the tape in and we would rock all night long.
You're a good dad.
@@stlouisrocker100 If he were a good guy he wouldn't have made a person who will suffer and die.
Who’s watching in 2024!!
Me !
👋👋👋👋👋
Still get chills when Flatley bursts onto the stage full speed at 5:22 and then at 6:23 when he leads the troupe. The music is so epic and has so much emotion it’s just incredible.
This has been music for my soul since I was four years old! I’ve loved Irish music for so long and I believe this is what sparked it! ❤
This will always bring tears to my eyes!!!
You can really tell how much influence Michael Flatley had. It was HIS show. It's interesting how the show has since changed.
Still teary eyed after all this time!
River dance grows deeper in my spirit with with every year and every note and precious precision taps.
Yes! 💚💚💚
Same
Это чудо профессионализма👍🙏❤️Шоу на века!Учитесь режиссёры и актёры!🙏
I still watch all M Flatley's on DVD in 2024 and I still cry!!!!!!!! Love them!!!!!!!
Two gods of this dance - Michael Flatley and Jean Butter. Equal to each other like Yin and Yang. When they are together on stage, it’s just impossible to describe by words. Totally mesmerizing and stunning!
My dear departed mom loved watching this and I sat with her every time she wanted to watch it again 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕. Great memories
Мама в 1995 году на кассете принесла это шоу домой.Мне было тогда 17 лет.Сейчас мне 46 и я плачу.Я как будто вернулась в то прекрасное время,где я учусь в университете,я полна планов и надежд и мамочка жива.Спасибо создателям шоу.😢😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Michael Flatley really did have feet of flames, the original is still the best..he and Jean Butler❤👍Magical and amazing🔥🔥
I'm watching it in 2024 and still loving it. Goosebumps worthy. 😊
Indeed...
It's a Christmas tradition, to watch this in my house 2023😊
God bless Michael Flately for giving us Lord of The Dance and Riverdance
Well it wasn’t actually Flately who brought Riverdance to life, it was Moya and Michael
...but Michael Flately made it sing
@@elizabethmullhall8226 i think that overstates things a bit. He was great, but everyone in this show was great, especially the music and general production.
It's 2024,and I am still watching!!!!!
Still watching!
thank you for uploading this piece of my childhood. I grew up watching this on VHS and it sparked my passion for all things Celtic which lead to me discovering my own celtic heritage.
And who doesn’t like this?? Then I would say your vibrations are low! Growing up in the 60s 70s we did country dancing at school, and have to say the only time I smiled and laughed so hard as a child. Dancing is great for the soul! Going to have to go see this…..and thoughts are with Michael and his family at this hard time! Prayers 🙏🏻
I'm watching-- it's great.!!!
I was in awe when I saw this show for the first time in 95. Coming from a background of being a ballet dancer, I can appreciate the effort put forward by each and everyone who participated in Riverdance. To me, nothing has compared in beauty and excellence.
Wow, I just found this video on TH-cam today. I saw the original TV broadcast back when it first aired in New York PBS and I didn't know that there were all those other performances that were cut out of the broadcast and the VHS tape afterwards. I'm seeing the full Riverdance show on here for the first time now! What a shame that the African American singers (except for just the one song they sang) and the 3 tap dancers were not seen at all by the PBS audience back then. And years after they still were not included, as if they didn't even exist. They must have felt terribly cheated at how they were edited out. Thank you for posting this original full version of Riverdance 1995 in 720p with the great Michael Flatley and Jean Butler and ALL of the wonderful singers and dancers who performed on that stage. Much appreciated!
PBS in California did show the black performances back in 1997 or so.
@@zaulaa But why were they edited out?
an actual miracle that someone finally posted this at 720p. thank you!!!
Yes indeed ...wonderful precision spectacular dancing... wonderful memories of seeing
Riverdance in Johannesburg South Africa 🇿🇦
Yes, there are still good people in the world, thank God.😀
This was on replay constantly on VHS in the mid-‘90s. So nice to see again
Right?? I've been searching for so long ;-;
明日、25年ぶりに東京公演を見に行きます！
再び日本に来てくれてありがとう！
Haven't seen this in quite a few years. Brings back all the old thrill. Maria Pages' Fire Dance is the highlight of the show for me.
It’s a bit strange to watch this without commercial break with some dude, asking you to make donations 😂
And I really wanted to make a check or money order to get a coffee cup. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to go on Amazon. 😅
23:55 Maria Pages - so expressive, exciting, elegant a dancer. Such a joy to watch 💃
Isn't she brilliant? :)
It's amazing how many of her joints she is using to express herself the entire time...the DETAIL...She is NEVER mailing it in...She is always ALL in.,!
We have the original PBS VHS tape from 1995, and hadn't watched it in probably 15+ years or so. This remaster is fantastic!! We watched it on our Samsung 55" curved screen tv last night and couldn't get over how sharp the picture was. Plus, this is the full uncut version and had scenes that weren't included in the VHS tape we have. Well done, and thank you!
I have copy on DVD, I've seen it in person, and I have the soundtrack on CD' that's how much I love shit show.
😢❤😢😅
😢😂❤
Where did you get a dvd of this? It's never been released on dvd here in the US.
my mom is german-irish. i grew up on Celtic music. this show premiering was a huge deal for her. i asked a lot of questions naturally!! So proud of my Scots-Irish heritage. Thank you for showing the entire show on youtube. So soothing for me. I play it while cleaning\ doing college homework or around my birthday in April. Sincerest thanks. Victoria Elisabeth Ingram!!
The beautiful haunting music draws your soul to Ireland
Good thing im Irish and I don't dance like that
@@RottenApple672 explain that .
This was my childhood. My father used to watch this all the time when I was a kid. He would tell me how much he desired to be a part of Riverdance. I’m glad I can hold on to these good memories. Back when times were much simpler.
I used to watch this with both my mom and dad! I used to try to get them to dance with me along with the dancers! 😂😂
We wore out our VHS copy growing up… Not enough people talk about Spillane’s performance. It’s almost at the level of Tolkien world-building in a music format. 20 years later, and the first few lines of Caoineadh Cú Chulainn still nearly bring me to tears. I can’t hear a single performance on uilleann pipes without immediately thinking of Spillane.
Davy Spillane's Caoineadh is, for my money, one of the most spellbinding musical performances ever recorded. Absolute emotional perfection
Watching Brian O' Brien play this in Riverdance started my journey with piping.. magnificent piece of music
20 years later this still brings me to tears every time i listen to it alone! it's that good.
I was in Dublin in February, 1995 visiting my fiancé. Lisa had gotten tickets to an amazing new show at the Point Theater she wanted us to see. I did not really want to go. As it turned out, that show was Riverdance that was in its second week of production. The show was sold out. At the end of each number the cheering and applause was so loud you could not hear anything else. It was the greatest show I had ever seen, then and now.
I told several people you have to see them , yes in NYC they did. Brillant strong they were shocked what a great time they had bought booklet s & several cd's Thankyou I never got the chance but I knew no one would be disappointed .
Thank you, Michael, flatly for bringing the lord of the dance to our screens over the years. Your dance is magic. God bless Ireland 🇮🇪 I've got a lot of irish ancestry. I love your music, Michael, flatly. Thank you again, and God bless you, bye .
From the very first time I watched RIVERDANCE, each & every time since I have held my breath in awe of this truely beautiful demonstration of Irish dance. I’m not getting any younger as time goes by, but I still at each & every time I play the video, or any part of the video, proudly shed tears of utter joy, listening to the dance so wonderfully portrayed by the master, Jean & the team, I’m honoured to say I’m Irish, & this dance is timeless….
Cudowny śpiew,cudowny
cały zespół,wszystkiego
dobrego pozdrawiam
z. POLSKI.
Who’s watching this with me in 2024
Still love it
Watched in '95, still watching today, kids love watching it too
🎉🎉❤✅💞im not Irish but s spanic 💃🔊🎼🎵🎶but i always weat 💚 because i been living here 🇺🇸 45 yrsrs 🎉🎉Saint Patrick 😇💚🟢🟩🇮🇹🏞️🌲🌳and i love these show and 🕺💃👫👫👫👫👩❤️👨👩❤️👨River danze is soo beutiful 💯✅🛐✝️✡️😇Irland🇮🇹🤩😍🥰😘
In the part of the world where I live we can't dream of watching them alive so to find them on TH-cam with such high quality is a privilege... Really thanks and i would appreciate another works
still loving it March 20 2024! Love the outfits
Δεν υπάρχουν λόγια για να χαρακτηρίσει κανείς αυτή την αριστουργηματική παράσταση!
Οποιοδήποτε θερμό λόγο και έπαινο να πει κανείς, είναι λίγος!
Ο Michael Flatley είναι πάνω από καταπληκτικός και στο ίδιο επίπεδο κινούνται και η Jean Butler και η Anuna.
Αλλά και οι υπόλοιποι χορευτές, χορεύτριες, τραγουδίστριες και μουσικοί είναι πραγματικά υπέροχοι.
Αυτά το απίστευτο καλλιτεχνικό επίτευγμα έφερε το Riverdance στην κορυφή των πολιτισμικών εκδηλώσεων σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο.
Still here in 2024🎉🎉🎉 love from a Dutch, Taiwanese and South African living in Taipei ❤
This came out the year I was born, and we had a copy on VHS, and was the closest thing I had to my Celtic heritage growing up in Australia. My sister and I used to watch this regularly as kids, in absolute awe of the dancers! It was so influential it made us take up tap dancing for a few years. So grateful a quality version is available to take me on this massive nostalgia trip! Every performance still gives me goosebumps!
Same for me on all three counts, except I grew up in Idaho USA! I have a great deal of Celtic heritage and this music and dancing was more enchanting than anything in the world. I would have taken Irish dancing but I was too remote to find a class. At least we can watch it here :)
I got to the watch the river dance this year when I was in Ireland. I had a great time in Ireland I felt very welcome . I enjoyed visiting Dublin Galway Killarney and kilrush.
We saw this show live here in the US. Absolutely amazing dancers & beautiful music !!!
Thank You,very,very much!I am living in Hamburg/Northgermany and was never able to see Michael Flatley live on Stage.I just see the short Tapping Scene,in Ireland Grand Prix. After it I only seen Lord of Dance,Feet of Flames,Celtic Tiger.....!But only on DVD!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉And now,He is not longer dancing!😢😢😢Thank you,for the first Riverdance Show,with Michael Flatley! I love the way he is dancing and how he looks!❤❤❤
I'm so glad this is on youtube since I have no way to play my old VHS! It's Bill Whelan's music just as much as the dancing that makes this version of the show so incredible, the feeling and drive and excitement behind the songs and the rhythms just never gets old!!
I saw the Rockettes at Radio City when I was very young, I played classical music throughout school, earned my BFA from VCU in Lighting and Sound Design… as far as performing groups go these guys make everyone look like they are going in reverse at 3x the speed of sound. Theses guys are a MACHINE, absolutely beautiful, poetry in motion.❤
MAGICAL 💕 INSPIRING 😀
The nostalgia; VHS, only one TV in the house and mom's reaction every single time; "you're watching Riverdance again?!" The tape was collecting dust the first 3 years we had it till one Saturday morning, I woke up early and while everyone was still sound asleep, I accidentally watched this as I actually wanted to watch Snow White :)
come to think of it
...1995 is just as far away as 2051....
I have Jean Butlers DVD on how to Irishdance, just saying
My son saw this on VHS when he was almost a year old and he has been fascinated by this style of dancing ever since. He even got himself a pair of shoes in case Riverdance called. We went to see this show in Hartford, CT and I half expected him to get on stage.
What a fantastic show riverdance is and long may it continue for many many years to come
I AM 1/4 IRISH AND MY MOTHER AND I SAW RIVERDANCE WHEN THEY WERE IN CONNECTICUT YEARS AGO!! IT WAS AND STILL IS FANTASTIC!! AND I LOVE THE MUSIC!! LESLEY FAY HANSON
One of the best shows I've ever seen. Wonderful variety of music and dance, outstanding talent. Everyone appeared to be having a marvelous time performing. Loved it!
I wish I could dance like that but I have a sore ankle
I was there watching it live.. amazing evening.
More than 20 years later this is still the most moving thing I've ever watched in person or online or on TV. What genius. How beautiful.
In the 90’s I was a visual manager for a store called Natural Wonders. We played at this CD and video often. Such a joy to rediscover it all these years later in 2024!
Can't get enough of this. So clean and pure by today's standards. Thanks for posting it
This to me has to be the most emotional and beautiful thing to behold ….. I thank you sir ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥱
I was just 13 years old when my teacher at school Mrs. Lumsden put this show on for the friday afternoon assembly and to say I loved it is an understatement!
Very impressive footwork no doubt and the main or lead dancer wasn’t even breathing hard now that takes discipline and hard work for all of the dancers,Very well done to all of the dancers
Born in 1990, this was one of my favorite VHS tapes growing up as a kid. Even in later years when CDs were more popular, I had the CD Soundtrack of this show and would listen to it all the time. Whether it be on my bike to and from school, while cleaning the Kitchen after Dinner or when in bed with my boombox next to my bed. I feel this show is what really made me enjoy the music of other cultures outside of America whether it be Celtic, K/J-Pop or even Bollywood. This is the show and music that started the journey of Cultural Music Fascination for me.
GREATEST SHOW EVER! So grateful it is here to enjoy over and over!!❣️
Watched this with my Grandmother a few years before she passed away. She was in awe and really enjoyed it. I have to be honest I love it too. I can picture her sitting in her chair at my Grandmother's house watching the Tube TV memorized at this performance. She would look at me and say, "how can they do that." It's awesome.
The beginning music is so hautingly beautiful. It's 80 degrees where I am and I'm covered in goosebumps, while also bawling my eyes out at the fact that my Dad was still alive during this, and I'm sorry, but 1995, was sooooooooooo much better of a time for almost everyone.
The fact that these dancers are so talented still blows my mind.
Thank you for posting!!
This is one of the best things about the nineties. Creatively.
I watched this on vhs so many times, and my version left out five songs, an intro, and didn't have tap dancers dressed like they were out of a 90's sitcom irish tap dancing.
Riverdance: uno spettacolo di incomparabile bellezza... straordinarie musiche, eccelsi danzatori e danzatrici! Una meraviglia... viva l'Irlanda!
MAGNIFICO! FENOMENAL! MARAVILLOSO!! Gracias por poner esta maravillosa Performance en video por esta plataforma. Hace muchos años lo vi por primera vez esta danza Irlandesa y me quede maravillada de ver este par de danzarines, creo que él es Davis, ella, no recuerdo su nombre, la bailaora flamenca Page, la cantante joven que tiene una voz de Ángel. Felicitaciones a todo el Elenco. No sé porque dejaron de hacer sus presentaciones?😢 Cuando los veo bailar más la música maravillosa, siento una felicidad profunda en mi ❤️. Bendiciones para todos. ❤❤❤
Caoineadh Cú Chulainn always gets me. It is such beautiful piece ❤
I want it played at my wake
@@toAdmiller Me too. And this th-cam.com/video/-Cz8nQAi2A4/w-d-xo.html
THE TIMING AND PRECISION OF THESE GUY'S IS AMAZING.
I’m here 2024 and yes I’m watching the show river dance AGAIN 😂😊
I was blessed to work with this company for the past three days in RENO. Great show for their 25th anniversary. I wish them all the best. ❤
River dance 1995 I found to be absolutely exhilarating and fresh, exotic and greatly inspirational and also impressive in dancing, footwork, and kicking up and much more !
I was blessed by it !
Johan Badenhorst
Theatre Designer,
South Africa.
Watched this when it hit pbs and was completely blown away by the dancers and the music just goosebumps so good
Thank you for posting this. I have long loved Riverdance, and the original version with Michael Flatley. I also love Jean Butler and whoever she is dancing with.
Очень зрелищное выступление! Обожаю ирландский степт! Дух захватывает! Невозможно объяснить это!
Man o man. I do wish I could say I was just a little bit Irish after watching this! Ireland you owe the world nuthin cuz you gave us riverdance!
I saw the live show years ago with Michael Flately at the Stanley Theatre in Utica. It was the most spectacular show I had ever seen. They are all brilliant actresses and actors. A show to be seen at least once in your lifr
That wasn't Riverdance then, sorry to say.
Flawless and Timeless! I've watched them since 1995 hundreds of times and never got bored. Once again now.
10年ほど前に母に連れて行ってもらって生で見れたことは一生忘れない
Never gets old!! Absolutely love every performer & musician!!!