Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very personal expressions of joy, history, beauty, tragedy, June 14, 2002
There are many emotions expressed here through the delicate piano playing of Phil Coulter, the deep Celtic flavor, and the water theme. These compositions are all centered around Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Ireland, a lake which was the scene of many significant moments of Irish history. This lake also was the scene of joyful moments and tragic moments in the life of the pianist/composer. Each track has its story and its very special mood. Coulter's dedication to painting various moods especially shine in certain tracks: "The Flight of the Earls" depicting a sad ending to a glorious chapter of Irish history and featuring Liam Neeson, "The Star of the Sea" written for Phil's brother Brian who was a tragic victim of the lake, "The Shores of the Swilly" sung by Sinead O'Connor and written for his sister who also drowned in the lake, "Prayer for the Fishermen" read by Roma Downey, and the final cut featuring all the musicians on the CD, "Take Me Home".Listening to this is an emotionally rewarding experience.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating, haunting, beautiful CD, February 2, 2002
I listened to the title song of Lake of Shadows on the internet and fell for it on the first hearing. I purchased the CD the first time I saw it in a store, without hearing more than that first track. As I was listening to the disc at home and enjoying each and every track, I read Coulter's story about the origins of this CD. The personal tragedy for the artist that has touched this very real place in Ireland made the songs even more compelling and, if possible, more beautiful. You know the emotions of the music are indeed born of real life. You will enjoy this CD even if you never read the notes that accompany the disc. If you read the story, it will mean even more.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting in Touch With Feelings, August 31, 2002
"Men don't cry". "Men are strong and don't show their emotions". "Women feel and get emotional; men think and do". I wonder if these stereotypes have anything to do with why so much "angry music and lyrics" appeal to teenagers and young adults today? Phil Coulter's CDs, all of them, are what I like to call, "Stereotype Busters" and that's one reason I love them so much. In the privacy of home and car, or visiting family, I can get in touch with my feelings of happiness and sadness. In "Lake of the Shadows", the song "The Star of the Sea" brought me to tears even before reading the insert that this song was written in memory of Mr. Coulter's brother who was drowned in Lough Swilly in 1984. Same with "Celtic Horizons" and the selection "Tears on the Heather". One of my sons was the first to share that song with me, saying he felt like crying every time he heard it ... and for some reason, so did I. When I read the insert, I knew why: it's all about a mother's heartbreak over her children's immigration to America. For father's contemplating leaving unhappy marital situations, listening to "My Boy" on "Songs I Love So Well" just might give the strength and courage they need to stay and work things out and work toward reconciliation. So, how is it that music can stir the soul? After all, it's just an arrangement of musical tones from various instruments and changes in timing and volume, and things like that ... or is it? Maybe it's more ... like an intangible something that allows the composer and artist's feelings to break through to stir the soul? Whatever, Phil Coulter has a wonderful gift that gives me the liberty to cry and feel good about it and then do something for those close to me to let them know how much I love them! In four years, it's going to be "six score and ten" and before I let any more time pass, I'm going to burn a CD of all my Phil Coulter favorites and request that it be played at my funeral. That's the best way I can think of to express my love to those I love so much, even after I've gone.
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by Phil Coulter 
