James Galway & Phil Coulter - Legends

Flutist James Galway and pianist Phil Coulter seek to present a handful of the most widely recognizable Celtic melodies in Legends. "Danny Boy" gets an intimate flute and piano treatment, while the famed "Riverdance" gets a full orchestral background and uillean pipes solo. There's the evocative, sweet expanse of "Harry's Game," and the classic "Mna na h-Eireann (Women of Ireland), with which Sean O'Rioda helped rekindle Irish interest in the country's musical history. Galway and Coulter go beyond the Celtic border to pay Henry Mancini tribute with the lush television miniseries theme, "The Thornbirds," thus crossing into easy listening and certain radio hit territory. This isn't the blazing traditional Celtic music of the post-1960s generation, nor is it the polyethnic mix of today's young Celtic artists. Instead, Legends is a listener-friendly mix of Celtic moods and lite classical, something for all ages to hum along with. --Andrew Bartlett Amazon.com

Another win for Ireland.

Two of Ireland's most gifted musicians on one CD. We can only hope for more. June 18, 2008

An Excellent Recording By Two Great Artists

I first heard LEGENDS while touring Ireland in the summer of 1998. The bus we traveled on played a cassette tape of it over and over again, and I thought I'd never want to hear it again. As soon as I returned to my home outside of Boston, MA, I wanted to be back in Ireland, revisiting the places I grew to love in an all too short a visit. So as soon as I could, I purchased the CD and I listened to it over and over again just like on the bus in Ireland. As I traveled the roads of Boston, I was thinking of The Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry.

This CD was the first collaboration between Phil Coulter, a name better known in Ireland at the time, and internationally acclaimed flutist James Galway. As musicians, the two are more similar than different. Both are serious, skilled and versatile musicians who also know how to entertain without sacrificing musical quality. The CD contains a variety of music from Irish standards such as "Danny Boy" and "The Kerry Dances" to contemporary favorites such as the music from RIVERDANCE. There are some original works by Coulter as well as some Coulter arrangements. The one piece that is not Celtic per se, but the listener would never know it's not from the arrangement, is Aaron Copeland's "Hoedown" from RODEO. Each piece has a part for Coulter and Galway, who at times uses traditional Irish flutes to give the music a true Celtic flair.

While I enjoy this disc for the music, there is something else I appreciate about this set and it's follow up WINTER'S CROSSING. In both collaborations, there is a sense of collaboration where the talents of both artists shine. It's been a favorite of mine since 1998 an I'm sure it will be for years to some.
December 10, 2005

One of the best Celtic albums

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. February 18, 2001

LEGENDS

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... December 3, 1999

Touching and very beautiful pieces!

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. November 4, 1999

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