A
siren, the sea and the sky spirits.
Atmospheric
instrumental music featuring Celtic harp, Irish flutes,
guitars, keyboards, zithers and more.
Produced by Chris Conway
France
met Chris Conway at a music convention, they played together
impromptu with such an obvious affinity that Chris played
on France's 1st CD The Seven Harps of Avalon and joined
the Harps of Avalon soon afterwards playing at numerous
festivals all over the UK. The two met again when they performed
with new age stars Llewellyn and Juliana.
When Chris became producer on this, France's 1st album for
the Paradise Music label, the two of them worked as if it
was a duo album - France came up with melody ideas, and
Chris created the general ambient layered sound and arrangements.
It
was a surprise to both of Chris and France just how good
an album they had made - it came together very quickly and
the combination of sounds and atmospheres are really stunning.
influences
Alan
Stivell, Robin Williamson, An Triskell, Paul Winter
technical
recorded
digitally at Oblong Studios, Leicester, UK
CC's
fave track
The
Maelstrom
trivia
The
album sold well and they went on to make another together
two - Spirits of the Moon, and Spirits of the Forest (with
Govannen)
It
was suggested at one time to issue it as a duo album but
Chris had brought out a lot of albums that same year so
it was put out as a France Ellul album.
track
by track
1.
Siren's Song (Ellul & Conway)
The siren sits on the shore. Where the land meets the
sea is a special place, especially mysterious at night.
The siren sings to herself. No-one hears her song except
the spirits of the sea and the sky.
France Ellul - celtic harp, voice
Chris Conway - keyboards, low whistle, voice, kalimba,
percussion
2. Clear Skies (Ellul)
The sea and sky are enthralled by the siren's song and
vie for her attention. The sky spirit creates a stunning
clear blue sky. Chris's trademark low whistle solo sounds
as clear as the air itself. The siren enjoys the sky spirit's
work.
France Ellul - celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards, acoustic 9 string guitar, tin
& low whistles
3. The Deep (Ellul)
Knowing the siren likes mystery the sea spirit conjures
up tales of the deep, rising from the depths where shipwrecks
and strange creatures dwell. Piano and zither tell the
story.
France Ellul - piano, temple bells
Chris Conway - keyboards, zither, bamboo flute
4. Sunset (Ellul)
The sky spirit, not to be outdone, creates an enchanting
sunset display. France's harp traces its setting to the
very last moment as it sinks below the ocean. The siren
watches, enraptured.
France Ellul - celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards
5. Paradise Island (Conway)
The sea spirit excels himself and offers up a beautiful
tropical island. The siren is delighted and makes her
way to the island and sings with joy.
France Ellul - celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards, acoustic nylon string guitar,
percussion
Georgina Sear - voice
6.
Cloud Dance (Ellul & Conway)
The sky spirit, watching from above, makes the clouds
dance gracefully in the sky, creating beautiful patterns
to lure the siren from the tropical paradise.
France Ellul - celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards
7. The Maelstrom (Ellul & Conway)
The siren announces she is most delighted with the efforts
of the sea and sky spirits and offers to spend some time
with them. First she takes them both to the Maelstrom,
showing them her magical domain.
France Ellul - celtic harp, low whistle, temple bells
Chris Conway - keyboards, theremin
8. Flying (Ellul)
Then she changes into her seabird form and flies through
the air with the sky spirit.
France Ellul - celtic harp
Chris Conway - tin & low whistles, keyboards
9. Spirits of the Sea / Siren's Song (reprise)
(Ellul & Conway)
The siren then plunges into the water to swim with the
sea spirits. Finally, she takes her leave of both sea
and sky spirits, singing her beautiful mesmerising song
as she returns to the shore.
