愛爾蘭鋼琴詩人Phil Coulter專輯“Lake of Shadow”選聽

【專輯簡介】 輕靈鋼琴與唯美女聲，動人的深情與懷念！ 聆聽當代凱爾特樂壇最具領導地位的、曾獲至少23白金佳績的愛爾蘭鋼琴詩人菲爾•科爾特（Phil Coulter）觸及靈魂的輕靈琴聲… 愛爾蘭著名詩人葉芝（William Butler Yeats）說過：無論什麽時代，真正的愛爾蘭人都有著共同的憂傷與懷念。這樣的憂傷與懷念，也交織在愛爾蘭作曲家菲爾•科爾特的《影之湖》裏。傍晚美麗寂寞的 Lough Swilly 湖，是快樂與憂傷交錯登場的命運之湖，在菲爾•科爾特的生命中留下不可磨滅的回憶。在此專輯中，菲爾•科爾特特邀家鄉及愛爾蘭音樂最頂尖的名家—— Snuff Walden、Hery McCllough 等凱爾特吉他大師，美麗的天籟女聲 Aoife NiFhearraigh、光頭女星 Sinead O'Connor等，共同為這張充滿回憶與深情的、洋溢著凱爾特飄渺旋律的大碟跨刀助陣，晶瑩剔透如詩般的琴聲，則由菲爾•科爾特指下輕輕流出…… “這張專輯成為了我生命中異乎尋常的一張，是我曾製作的最愉快的專輯之一，因為我把自己的大部分生命都投進了這些音樂裏。”（菲爾•科爾特） "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. (以上專輯介紹摘自網絡)

【專輯曲目】 01. Lake Of Shadows 02. Sunlight On The Water 03. Farewell To Inishowen 04. The Flight Of The Earls 05. The Star Of The Sea 06. The Lough Swilly Railway 07. For Those In Peril On The Sea 08. The Lonesome Boatman 09. The Year Of The French 10. The Shores Of The Swilly （Sinead O'Connor） 11. Back To The Island 12. Vive La Hoche 13. Prayer For The Fishermen 14. Take Me Home