Singing The Songs We Love So Well

Phil Coulter Begins Five-Week Run At The Irish Rep

By John Mooney

One of Ireland's biggest record sellers of all time, Phil Coulter has gained an international reputation as a successful songwriter, pianist, music producer and arranger. Even with all these accolades, he is equally proud to be a cultural ambassador for his hometown of Derry.

"I'm thrilled that Derry has been designated as 2013 City of Culture," said Coulter, one of the city's most famous sons. "When the bid was being prepared, I was asked to be a cultural ambassador. We have been through some dark hours, so we are due."

Next year, the musician will perform a concert with the Ulster Symphony Orchestra. He believes there is a poignancy of playing 'Town I love So Well' on such a grand scale.

"It has been 40 years since I wrote the song. It's a different place now, and a lot that has happened is good. The song ends with the words 'I can only pray for a bright brand new day.' It was like cuing up a sequel," explained Coulter, was commissioned to write a song in honor of the 2013 City of Culture designation. Appropriately, it is called, 'Bright, Brand New Day.'

The purpose of the City of Culture designation is to accelerate the change in the city's economy, principally through the tourism and creative media sectors.

"I'll be back on a number of occasions in the coming year. There will be a number of big events that will be a shot in the arm for the city," said Coulter, who has a sister who still lives in Derry. "Being awarded City of Culture will be just what we needed following the public apology for Bloody Sunday. It drew a line under a big injustice hanging out there. It's done and dusted. Let's look forward now."

One of five siblings, Coulter grew up in a home filled with music. His father played the fiddle, and his mother played the piano, our "most valuable and valued piece of furniture." Coulter's dad was a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer, one of the few Catholics on the police force.

"Fortunately, it was before the Troubles really took hold. My dad was more of a community cop. He wasn't the 'Sherlock Holmes of Derry,' by any stretch, but when there were crimes he knew who the likely culprits were. People would ask him to walk them through legal processes and ask him to help write letters for them," Coulter recalled. "He retired before the Civil disobedience of the 1960s. It would have been uncomfortable for him to be in the forefront of the police during that era."

The songwriter's most popular song, 'The Town I Loved So Well', tells the story of the embattled city of his youth, filled with "that damned barbed wire" during the Troubles.

Through the month of December, the 70-year-old singer/songwriter headlines 'The Songs I Know So Well', a one-man show that celebrates his storied career.

Incorporating his familiar keyboard style, the acclaimed musician brings his audience on a 45-year journey through some of his best loved and most personal compositions.

His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Sinead O'Connor, Cliff Richard, The Irish Tenors, The Bay City Rollers, and others.

Over the course of his career, he has been awarded 23 platinum records, 39 gold records, two Grand Prix Eurovision awards, a Meteor Award (the Irish 'Grammy'), and a Grammy nomination.

"Ciaran O'Reilly of the Irish Rep came over to see my one-man show in Ireland. He asked if I'd fancy bringing it to New York. That's how it came about," Coulter recounted. "Ironically, my first visit to the theater was to see the last musical one-man show that the Irish Rep hosted: Tommy Makem. I have some big shoes to fill."

Coulter describes his song list as "a stroll through my musical history." His success started with his instrumental albums. He is widely known for his relaxing piano CDs under the 'Tranquility' brand. Initially, his shows were primarily piano solos. He later expanded into orchestral programs. Audiences clamored for him to sing 'Town I Loved So Well,' 'The Old Man,' and 'My Boy,' a song that Elvis Presley made famous.

He gradually began singing those songs during his concerts. Coulter's career highlights include performances at the White House and Carnegie Hall.

"I never would have embarked on a career as a singer. Over the years, the vocals have become a part of the performance," said Coulter, who is dismayed that much of today's music is overproduced and dehumanized with vocals processed through auto-tuners.

The artists he admires tend to be the singer/songwriters who have endured through the years, such as James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Randy Newman, and Tom Waits. Among newer performers, he is a fan of the folk rock band Mumford and Sons, who were nominated for the 2011 Best New Artist Grammy.

"They breathe through their songs. At heart, I am a songwriter. You have to look beyond glitz and glamour," Coulter explained.

With writing partner Bill Martin, Coulter co-wrote Sandie Shaw's 1967 Eurovision-winning entry, 'Puppet on a String', and 'Congratulations', an early hit for Cliff Richard. The duo wrote numerous hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including 'Saturday Night' by the Bay City Rollers.

When he wasn't writing smash singles, Coulter produced three ground-breaking albums with Christy Moore and Planxty, which influenced modern Irish music.

He also produced, arranged and wrote most of the late Joe Dolan's 1983 album, 'Here and Now,' which featured the Irish Top Ten hit 'Deeper and Deeper.'

In 1984, Coulter released his own album of piano instrumentals called, 'Classic Tranquility.'

His follow-up, 'Sea of Tranquility,' became one of the best selling records of all time in Ireland.

In 1995, the Irish Rugby Football Union commissioned Coulter to write a politically neutral anthem for the Ireland national rugby union team, which represents both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. The result was 'Ireland's Call,' which has since also been adopted by the Ireland's national hockey and cricket teams.

In 2007, Coulter collaborated with Sharon Browne, one of the originators of Celtic Woman, to form a male group: Celtic Thunder.

A DVD entitled, 'Celtic Thunder: The Show,' went to the top of the Amazon and Billboard World Albums chart in 2008. Coulter wrote many of the songs, including 'That's a Woman' and 'Heartbreaker.'

Audiences at the Irish Rep can expect to learn the personal stories behind the songs, the recollections of his life and career in music. There will be two 45-minute sets of piano instrumentals, songs and stories.

"As someone leaves the theater, they will feel they know me a little bit more. Perhaps they will have laughed or teared up a little during the two hours. I hope that my music touches them and that they enjoyed spending an evening in my company," Coulter said.

So after almost five decades in the music business, what is Phil Coulter's proudest accomplishment?

"I was asked this question during an interview in my own office a while ago. The interviewer panned across the gold and platinum albums and other awards. I'm proud that my awards start in 1967 and go right up to 2012," the Derryman said. "I keep one wall empty so that there's still room for a few more. I've got a lot to be thankful for, and I thank God that I can make a living from my talents. I enjoy performing, still have my health and energy, and people who want me to do it."

"Am I nervous? Sure I am. The idea of a theatrical run is new. The most I would have done is a week at the Belfast Grand Opera House. It's a challenge, but that's the great thing about it. The reason I've been able to stay in this business for 45 years is that I like to challenge myself," said Coulter, who hasn't toured in the U.S. for years. "It is more attractive to do five weeks in one place rather than drag yourself across the country."

The concept of retiring is something the music legend, who has had hits in every decade since the '60s, does not give much thought.

The five-week run at the Irish Rep is also special to him because he has never spent Christmas in New York City.

"It's a real treat. Five of my six children will be here. We will have a real family Christmas this year in New York. It's a privilege to be here and to play at the Irish Rep."