A
tale of two Moonlovers and their flight to sanctuary.
Beautiful haunting instrumental music featuring France's
Celtic harp plus Irish whistles, keyboards, guitar, kalimba,
theremin and percussion.
background
After
the success of the Spirits of the Sea album, France and
Chris wanted to make another atmospheric music album but
did not want to just repeat themselves.
The main idea with Spirits of the Moon was to have more
of a rhythmic album with more percussion - Another idea
was to create four atmospheric interludes representing the
four phases of the moon.
clips
Mooncircle Dance
influences
Alan
Stivell, Robin Williamson, An Triskell, Paul Winter
trivia
2, 3, 11 by France Ellul
1, 4, 8 by Chris Conway
3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13 by Conway & Ellul
7 by O'Carolan arr Ellul
Total
time 53.43
Produced
by Chris Conway
Chris
later added lyrics to Moonchild and made it into
a song Child of the Moon which can be heard on Bridget McMahon's
album Avalon Moon
CCs fave track - Gathering For The Moon Goddess
track
by track
The
Moonlovers The ancient tale The Moonlovers is a story of two
lovers forced to flee their feuding tribes to eb together.
Various versions of this familiar tale are to be found
in many cultures. In this venerable version, there is
a happy ending. The lovers plan to run away together at
the least expected time - new moon. There is little light
in the night sky but that will make it eaqually difficult
for persuers to find them.
1.
Spirits of the Moon (Conway)
Before they set off theyappeal to the trancendental truth
of eternal love whose glorious symbol they see as the
moon. The hypnotic quality of this music, particularly
in the multi-layered voices reflects the spiritual state
thelovers enter as they seek "kapla", the noble
fulfulment of true desires.
France Ellul - Celtic harp, voice
Chris Conway - keyboards, percussion, voice
Georgina Sear - voice
2. Moonrise (Ellul)
The lovers make their escape at new moon. the gentle rhythms
of this track reflevct their quiet determination and feelings
of faith and hope.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - piano, keyboards, percussion, voices
3. Phases 1 - Waning Moon (Ellul & Conway)
The journey is long and they are tired; it's the waning
moon. They take their rest, finding shelter near an alder
tree, unaware that they have been guided to the tree of
protection. The alder spreads its aura to envelope and
cradle them in their sleep.
France Ellul - Celtic harp, voice
Chris Conway - keyboards, theremin, voice
4. Moonchild (Conway)
The young woman dreams of the child to come, the moonchild,
who will bond the lovers eternally. She imagines their
child dancing in the moonlight. This is a beautiful Celtic
waltz, it's courtley lilt suggesting medieval realms.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - piano, low whistles, keyboards
5. Luna Mandala (Ellul)
Refreshed and reinvigorated the lovers travel on, filled
with a joyful feeling of anticipation. There is a spring
in their step, as the music relates.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards, tin whistles, acoustic 9 string
guitar, percussion
6. Phases 2 - Full Moon (Ellul & Conway)
The full moon watches over them as they sleep. The soundscpae
depicts the gentle drift into peaceful slumber. A wonderfully
radiant piece - the piano and harp's evocative notes shine
like moonbeams int he night.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - piano, keyboards
7.
Eleanor Plunkett - Celtic Moon (O'Carolan arr
Ellul)
In the dreamworld of the lovers, where they feel the music
of the stars, the celestial harper manifests the beauty
of their love.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards
8.
Mooncircle Dance (Conway)
A new day dawns and they resume their journey. The spirits
are lighter as they sense they are drawing near to their
goal. This soulful tune was inspired by Breton folk music
; the theme winds around, a spiral within a circle.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - tin whistle, keyboards, voice, percussion
Georgina Sear - voice
9.
Phases 3 - Waxing Moon (Ellul & Conway)
Under the waxing moon, the lovers seem tpo hear whispers
from far away, perhaps calling to them, perhaps guiding
them...
France Ellul - Celtic harp, whispers
Chris Conway - keyboards, whispers
10. Questers Moon (Ellul & Conway)
Hand in hand, with growing confidence they make their
way under the questors moon. The theremin and Celtic harp
alternate themes in this hauntingly atmospheric piece.
The theremin is the moon above, the harp is the travellers
and the quest.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - theremin, keyboards
11.
Lovers Moon (Ellul)
The lovers know they are very near to their journey's
end. The bright moonlight reminds them that this is a
lovers moon which will guide them as a monther guides
her children. this evocative waltz should be danced ina
gentle and stately manner.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - low whistles, keyboards, temple bells,
percussion
12
Phases 2 - New Moon (Ellul & Conway)
At last what they have sought is before their very eyes,
no longer mythical but truly magical. Under the new moon,
they gaze in delight and wonder at the people who have
been waiting for them.
France Ellul - Celtic harp, bamboo chimes
Chris Conway - keyboards, kalimba, wind chimes
13.
Gathering for the Moon Goddess (Ellul & Conway)
The lovers join the throng who are still gathering ; the
celebration is for the Moon Goddess. All link hands and
dance a circle dance of joy. Now they understand - they
are home ; their quest has been fulfilled.
France Ellul - Celtic harp
Chris Conway - keyboards, acoustic 9 string guitar, percussion,
voice
Georgina Sear - voice
