Customer Reviews

Celtic Tranquility

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own every one of his CD's. I happened to overhear his music in a Celtic speciality shop and was instantly addicted. The labels are decieving. This isn't just some cutesy Irish tunes. He uses full orchestration and the sounds are unbelievable. The music is exquisite. I heard songs I used to hear in high school many years ago. Some of his music is The Thornbirds, I still haven,t found what I'm looking for. If you love Yanni and Enya, you'll love Phil Coulter.

Ladies and gentlemen I make it my sad duty to tell you that this CD is not, nor ever will, be Celtic. The songs are Irish and Scottish. It mostly comes from the British Ilses basically. Except for one song about an American soldier writing to his love during the American Civil War. However, just because it is Irish or Scottish music does not make it Celtic. Robert W. Smith wrote "On Loch and Mountain" while in Scotland and Ireland and it isn't Celtic because of that fact. I am a fan of Celtic music. It basically is all that I listen to. I got this CD expecting soothing, peaceful Celtic music. Instead I got a very harsh sounding rendition of Danny Boy. Well not completely harsh but the piano that is used in almost all but 3 or 4 songs is very harsh sounding. If you enjoy Celtic music I recommend LifeScapes, Solitudes: Celtic Awakening, or Atmospheres. All three companies do an excellent job of portraying traditional and original Celtic music. I think that is where this CD went wrong. Most, if not all, of the songs on this CD were arranged, with the piano. My notes to anyone reading this. Celtic music should be flutes, lutes, strings, voice (usually Mezzo-Soprano), gentle piano, guitar, bagpipes and Celtic percussion. Another problem with this CD is that it sound very modern. The piano sounds almost computerized (believe me I know what a computerized piano sounds like), the Celtic percussion was replaced with a drum set complete with high hat, and they even added an electric bass to round things out. The music is not Celtic. Trust me, look for Solitudes, LifeScapes, or Atmospheres. If you just like instrumental music, and you don't care about it Celtic properties, then go ahead and get it.

Amen, Linda Haggerty. I have most every one of this man's albums and a couple of videos. I've been listening to his music for years and have attended two of his concerts. He doesn't disappoint. I first heard his music playing over a sound system in a store--one beautiful melody after another, until I had to ask the store owner about it. They told me, were selling it, I bought it, and was back the next week for more. I don't get to hear this kind of music over the radio, which is such a shame. The man's middle name is "Five Stars"!