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"Lake
of Shadows" is pianist Phil Coulter's solitary outing to
date on the American Windham Hill label. The CD's title
is the name given locally to what Phil regards as one of
the most enchanted stretches of water in Ireland- Lough
Swilly, in County Donegal. The fascinating location as a
basis for the music contained within this CD has seen
some significant historical events in its time, and on a
far more personal note- has had huge significance in the
life of the composer- both happy and tragic.
This
personal touch to this CD is what makes it extra
special. Phil has sat down and written music inspired by
the local history and the key moments in his young life.
It adds a significance to the music, and one cannot help
be drawn into it. It is music from the heart.
The CD opens with "Lake of Shadows", and a
beautiful piano introduction. After a minute or
so, the voice of Aoife Ni Fhearraigh is
introduced. Phil explains in his notes how Lough
Swilly has many faces. According to the locals,
it never looks the same for two days in a row.
He goes on to say how the water has brought a
lot of "shadows" into his life, but also a lot
of joy. The music is rhythmic and generally
upbeat.
The second track is wonderful. "Sunlight
on the Water" is mainly piano, and the
melody is gorgeous. It is a very gentle
piece, and the music captures the
morning sunshine on the calm sea.
Following on from this, is "Farewell to
Inishowen"- a tribute to one of Phil's
heroes, Irish composer Sean O'Riada. The
title refers to the peninsula where the
Swilly is located, which is an area that
the composer has been forced to leave on
many occasions, much to his regret. At
times sombre, and at other times upbeat,
it perhaps reflects the mixed emotions
experienced by Phil as he begins a new
chapter in his life. Again, this is
mainly solo-piano.
Track four opens with the voice of Liam
Neeson. "Flight of the Earls" is a
reference to how the people were forced
into exile by the advancing English
army. Phil explains how he has attempted
to capture the mood of sadness that such
an exile had to be made. The wave of
emotion is certainly apparent once again
in the album's fifth track, "The Star of
the Sea". Again featuring the voice of
Aoife Ni Fhearraigh, this piece is a
tribute to Phil's elder brother, Brian,
who was tragically drowned in Lough
Swilly in 1984. It's a beautiful song
and very heart-felt.
The mood changes in "Lough Swilly Railway". It
captures the busyness and excitement of the
local narrow gauge railway. Very up-tempo and
full of rhythm, this is toe-tapping stuff! The
album's seventh track is a local traditional
hymn, "For Those in Peril on the Sea",
wonderfully sung by the Ballyclare Male Choir.
The composer heard this arrangement for the
first time at the blessing ceremony for the
lifeboat for which the family had raised money,
after the death of his brother. Phil explains
that, to this day, the hymn still gives him
goose bumps.
One of my favourite tracks is the album's
eighth: "The Lonesome Boatman", featuring Henry
McCullough on Guitar in accompaniment to the
piano. It's taken from a song originally written
by one of Ireland's great pipers, Finbar Furey.
It's a very atmospheric piece, and at times,
almost "Rock" in nature. The melody is very
catchy. Track nine, "The Year of the French" is
piano and violin, and is much more calm and
reflective. As Phil explains himself in his
notes, "During the Great Rebellion of 1798, as
so often in our history, Ireland turned to
France for help to defeat the English. Once
again, it all ended in tears, with the stamping
out of the rebellion and the arrest of Wolfe
Tone, on the Swilly."
It's hard to believe that yet more tragedy could
befall the Coulter family, but sadly some
fifteen years before Phil could eventually bring
himself to write track ten "The Shores of the
Swilly", his sister was also drowned in the same
stretch of water. As he was writing this song,
Phil knew that Sinead O'Connor was the only
person to sing the lyrics, and so it is her that
makes an appearance on this track. She has a
gorgeous voice, and manages to do justice to
this very emotional piece.
"Back to the Island" is a jolly little number,
reflecting the magical feeling inside Phil as he
neared his beloved country from his travels. It
is very positive in tone, and features a merry
little melody.
Track 12, "Vive la Hoche" is extremely rhythmic,
and features a multitude of instruments in
accompaniment to the piano. Almost music to
dance to, this is great! The final track is
quite special. "Take Me Home" is simply gorgeous
from start to finish, and features most of the
musicians who were involved in the project. The
delightful melody is provided by Phil's piano,
but the addition of the choir is most definitely
the icing on the cake.
This is a tremendous album, the end-result of
years of hard work and a life-time of both
happiness and deep, personal tragedy. I cannot
recommend this CD highly enough. It deserves to
be heard.
S.C.
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