Customer Reviews

Legends

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to admit that when I first heard of this album, I pictured it as just haveing piano and flute. But when I got this album for Christmas I discovered it was more than music with pianist Coulter and flutist Galway. It is a collection of some of the best music of Ireland. It has traditional tunes like "Believe Me", "Danny Boy", and "Lagan Love". It also included modern contempory hits like the great dance "Riverdance", the classic "Hoedown", "Women of Ireland"(which makes one think of big stars like Sinead O' Conner, Mary Black, and Enya), and a remake of Clannad's hit "Harry's Game". It also includes compositions by Phil Coulter, such as "Battle at Kinsale", "Lament For Wild Geese", and "An Cailin Fionn". There are many excellent musicians accompanying Coulter and Galway, who include Frank Gallagher, David Downes(who has played and recorded with Clannad), and David Cooke on keyboards. The music often contains many traditional sounds with drums, guitar, fiddle, and uillean pipes. There also are many beautiful orchestrations, which brings so many wonderful exciting sounds! Sometimes the music had a male chorus chanting haunting vocals. All of these songs are really good and each one deserves its own praise. "Riverdance" has as much rythm and beauty as the original. "Harry's Game" sounds so enticing with uillean pipes and traditional sounds. "Believe Me/Gentle Maiden" sounds like a lullaby(if only it included the poetic lyrics!). "Women In Ireland" is very up beat with a mix of pop and traditional sounds. "The Valley of Tears" is very poignant with the piano and flute. The two tracks "Thornbirds" and "Lannigan's Ball/Kerry Dances", bring dancing rythm with sounds of traditional jigs. "Danny Boy", fits perfectly with piano and flute. "Music for a Found Harmonium" is one of my favorites, because it has a lot of energy on the piano, flute, and all of the other instruments. "Lament For Wild Geese" is very sad, beautiful, and touching. "Lagan Love" is the best version of this song I have every heard! I never would of thought I would hear that song with drums and chorus. "Ashkon Farewell" is a good reflection of how the American and Celtic cultures have come together. Many Irish and Scots fought in the Civil War. "An Cailin Fionn" is my favorite, for it is one of the most beautiful melodies Ireland has to offer. Phil Coulter composed the tune for Natasha Richardson, the wife of Liam Neeson who is a good friend of Coulter. "Hoedown" brings sounds of the past to the present with folk melodies and orchestrations.

So if you love Celtic music, you will really love this album. This is some of the best music Ireland has to offer.

One of my favorite Celtic CD's..the haunting melodies of the flute..accompanied with the piano as it unravels Ireland's past and hope of a better future...My favorite is "Battle of Kinsale"(The Valley of Tears)it certainly does brings tears to me...The theme to "Thornbirds" is beautiful..as well as every song....a sheer join....a must for any collector of Irish music...

I'm a big fan of Galway, but never had a chance to listen to Phil Coulter before. Their collaboration is just perfect. I enjoy it as much as Galway's solo effort. It just brings back memory of ancient time when things are less noisy. In fact, I'm thinking of buying another piece of their work.

After naming our Inn in Central Florida, Shamrock Thistle & Crown Bed & Breakfast, I looked and looked for just the right music to set an enchanting mood for our guests. Legends, says it all. Guests toe tap over breakfast and sit on our porches for hours soaking in its every beat. James & Phil are the perfect combination for any time for the day and bring home to me a little bit of Ireland. This CD is the perfect gift for everyone! Treasure it always.

I was introduced to this duo while traveling in Ireland. I became thorougly enchanted with their sound. The haunting melodies and tranquility that these two men can produce are incredible. Keep including their CDs in your inventory.

This is my favorite of 124 CDs that I own. James Galway and his wonderful flute, with the help of Phil Coulter and his expressive piano, created a masterpiece of beauty and stirring emotion. The pure, clear notes of the flute wrench the emotions and set the moods for the traditional melancholic Gaelic melodies, the glorious jigs, to the modern composers' renditions of Irish passion in love and/or war. Whether of Irish blood or not, ya' gotta' love this one!

Once again Phil Coulter gives a wonderful musical experience! I have copies made for my vehicle just for the peace and quiet of driving home after a long day....Really lovely Irish music.

I had gotten the Legends CD years ago and it became scratched from so much use. Now I have a new one to enjoy. Highly recommend.

When this CD first came out I bought it and now I own a second copy. Love them both. I will treat this one to a friend. Too good not to share.

This album has songs that blend the skill of two of Ireland's best musicians to create beautiful music. From the haunting "Riverdance" to the lilting "Hoedown," this collection has a little something for anyone who loves Irish music.