The narrative
A traveller makes his way through an ancient forest, with some trepidation, as he remembers tales of the wood spirits that inhabit this magical realm.

1. The Forest Awakes (Conway)
The dawn chorus heralds the break of day as the forest shakes off its slumber.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – tin & low whistles, keyboards, frame drum, percussion, sound effects, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Bridget McMahon – vocals
Dan Britton – bodhran, vocals

2. Brightness (Ellul)
The traveller awakens to the brightness of day as light filters through the branches. He chooses one of many unknown paths for his journey.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – tin & low whistles, keyboards, frame drum, Balinese drum, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Bridget McMahon – vocals
Dan Britton – bodhran

3. Dreamer in the Woods (Conway)
Weary, he takes his rest beneath an Alder tree, the tree of protection. He dreams the sound of water and the swirl of fire.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – tine & low whistles, keyboards, bamboo flute, bodhran, frame drum, vocals
Bridget McMahon – vocals

4. Zephyr (Conway & Ellul)
A warm wind from the west fills him with a longing to find the magical heart of this mystical kingdom.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – tin whistles, keyboards, frame drum, percussion, vocals, sound effects
Adele McMahon – violin, vocals
Dan Britton – bodhran, vocals

5. Secret Path (Ellul)
Wondering which way to go, the traveller is drawn to a secret path as, transfixed, he watches a shining leaf fall gently to earth.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – Spanish guitar, Irish tin & low whistles, keyboards, frame drum, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran

6. Between Showers (Ellul & Govannen)
The day begins to wane as, between showers of rain, he looks up at the darkening sky.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – piano, Irish tin whistles, keyboards, sound effects
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar

7. Elder and Elm (Ellul)
The path becomes an avenue; he smells the fragrant white blossoms of the Elder to his left and sees the fluttering oval leaves of the Elm to his right.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – keyboards, Irish low whistle
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar

8. The Enchanted Glade (Conway)
The avenue leads him to The Enchanted Glade, glowing with a spellbinding luminescence. Enthralled, he hears unearthly voices all around him.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – keyboards, kalimba, theremin, frame drum, Balinese drum, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Bridget McMahon – vocals
Dan Britton – bodhran, vocals

9. Midnight – Spirits Dance (Ellul & Govannen
Midnight. Out of the stillness, the spirits enter the glade and encircle him in a majestic dance.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – metalophone, Irish tin whistle, theremin, keyboards, Balinese drums, sound effects, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Bridget McMahon – vocals
Dan Britton – frame drum

10. Spirits of the Forest (Conway)
The spirits of the forest sing a haunting song, imbuing him with gifts of wisdom and tranquillity; they melt away as a storm approaches: a new dawn for the traveller.

France Ellul – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – Irish low whistle, keyboards, bodhran, Balinese and frame drum, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Bridget McMahon – vocals
Dan Britton – bodhran, vocals

 

Another winning CD from the New Age masters at U.K. based Paradise Music, Spirits Of The Forest features the music of the Celtic harpist France Ellul and the group known as Govannen.

With swirling harp sounds filtered through magical electronic keyboards, light percussion, acoustic guitars, bamboo flutes, ethereal, wordless female voices and more, Spirits Of The Forest is a truly captivating sonic journey.

Supporting the Celtic Harp of Ellul are some great players such as album producer Chris Conway (keyboards, theremin, sound effects and percussion), Dan Britton (acoustic guitar, frame drum) and many others. While this music is definitely not rock, the very unique nature of this blend of heavenly instrumental Celtic flavored music from England should hold infinite fascination to fans of groups like Jethro Tull and guitar instrumentalist Mike Oldfield as well. Also the sound is somewhat reminiscent of that great soundtrack to Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant Barry Lyndon movie. It’s just that good!

As is standard with all the CD releases on Paradise Music, the sound and packaging of Spirits Of The Forest is first rate and will have you reaching for that replay button more than once.