REVIEW: Phil Coulter, Highland Cathedral (RCA Victor)
- Jon Steltenpohl
Call me crazy, or maybe call me uniformed, but for atmospheric, new age, Celtic music, my world has typically started and ended with Enya. I've always been aware of other artist such as Clannad, Loreena Mckennitt, and the Chieftains, but none of them have ever really captured the "mellow" mood like Enya did. Well, now I've got another artist who fits the, uh, Enya genre. Despite a history that goes back some 30 years, this is the first I've heard of Phil Coulter.
And that's too bad, because Coulter is very talented. The fact that this album is released on RCA Victor would make you think that this is an album strictly for the crusty "Howard's End" and Emma Thompson crowd. Yet, although it can be a slow paced album, Highland Cathedral is filled with impeccable sound and simple, subtle melodies that will appeal to everyone. It is engaging enough to sit snug alongside of your Enya collection. Coulter's work with James Galway and Roma Downey are dubious resume entries for modern rock lovers, but regardless of whether or not those artists appeal to you, Highland Cathedral might.
Coulter has a good feel for constructing music which is New Age yet full of substance. Despite the common perception of what "New Age" entails, there are no pan flutes, no effeminent saxophones, no whale songs and not even a hint of John Tesh. The only New Age cliches employed are the use of wind noises along with the bag pipes on one track. But, this is done well, and, when set against the litany of New Age atrocities, is somewhat forgiveable.
The only distraction will come for those who manage to be fans of both New Age Celtic music and Spinal Tap. Unfortunately, "The Gathering -- Bealtaine" shares a spoken intro similar to Spinal Tap's fateful "Stonehenge," and visions of dwarfs dancing around 18-inch-tall monoliths are regrettable. Fortunately, the intro is over quickly, and the compelling drum beats quickly erase any visages of Harry Shearer in a fu manchu.
Coulter is being sold to us as a New Age artist on a label that rarely releases albums to the Modern Rock crowd, yet Highland Cathedral is an album which fits the modern listener very well. So, forget about demographics. If you're looking for a new "mellow" entry into your CD collection, Phil Coulter's Highland Cathedral is an excellent candidate.
