William Coulter & Friends

Acoustic guitarist William Coulter began recording as early as 1981, although his solo career didn't really get off the ground until the 1990s. In addition to stints with the groups Isle of Skye and Orison, Coulter hooked up with cellist and fellow Orison member Barry Phillips for three collaborative albums — 1990's Simple Gifts, 1993's Tree of Life, and 1996's Music on the Mountain — intepreting melodies of the mystic Christian sect the Shakers. Switching to new age-tinged Celtic music on his solo works, Coulter delivered Celtic Crossing in 1995, followed by 1997's Celtic Sessions and 1999's The Crooked Road. Simple Gifts Collectiion was released a year later.