Spirits of the Forest completes a trilogy of albums by Celtic harper France Ellul in colaboration with producer Chris Conway following Spirits of the Sea, and Spirits of the Moon.
As Chris also produces the Irish band Govannen's albums, he thought it would eb a great idea to bring Govannen and France together on this album to get an earthier rootsier sound than on the spacier "Moon" album and the lush "Sea" album.

Alan Stivell, Robin Williamson, An Triskell, Paul Winter

recorded onto hard disk at Oblong Studios, Leicester, UK

Zephyr

on Midnight - Spirits Rising Chris recorded the metalophone part in the openm air at Brocks Hill Park, Leicestershire.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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