. Melusina's Story
Relaxing Celtic music and songs featuring a host of instruments such as Celtic harp, Irish whistles, zither and flute and Mo Coulson's beautiful voice, plus guest players from the Govannen and Red Herrings groups.
Follow the story of Melusina, a mermaid who is torn between her life with a man she loves and the pull of her old life in the sea.
background
Mo Coulson had worked with Chris Conway on his Celtic Dreamer album, and also played on Govannen's Celtic Earth album - both albums being on the Paradise label. Chris knew that Mo was wild about mermaids. Paradise had released an album by Clookai, produced by Chris called Spirits Of The Faerie, so Chris approached them about the possibility of a mermaids themed album, and Paradise loved the idea.
Red Herrings & Govannen
Chris wanted to incorporate some of Mo's songs that she sings live in her solo concerts and with the Red Herrings groups she plays in with Kate Easton & Sam Watts, so it was natural to invite the Red Herrings to the session. Govannen were also popping in and out of the studio at the time to record their Celtic Earth album so Adele McMahon & Dan Britton added some sessions for the mermaids album while they were there.
So the album came together quite naturally blending Mo's songs and Chris's atmospheric Celtic instrumental ambient pieces to make a unique album.
hear the whole album
influences
Alan Stivell, Gwerz, Sileas, Lorena McKennitt, Dan Ar Braz, Capercaillie
trivia
3, 5, 7, 9, 12 - by Mo Coulson
2, 4, 8, 10 - by Chris Conway
1, 13 - by Chris Conway & Mo Coulson
11 - traditional Isle Of Man
notes
The Mermaid and the Sea
The story of the mermaid Melusina told on this album is inspired by tales of Melusine, a mermaid who appears in much mermaid mythology, and draws upon the theme of impossible love between the people of the land and those of the sea.
1. Towards The Shore
Mermaid Melusina is curious about the land so she and her two friends Selina and Melody swim toward the shore.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway - keyboards, Irish tin whistle, electric 9 string guitar, sound effects
Adele McMahon – violin
Sarah Hickman - cello
2. Mermaids Join The Dance
The mermaids in human form, arrive in a village which is having a festival and they join in the dance with the villagers.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – Irish tin & low whistles, keyboards, vocals, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran
3. Ophelia As the evening goes on Melusina is attracted to a village man, Elwin. She watches him across the fire as the three mermaids sing this song.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – keyboards
Kate Easton – vocals
Sam Watts – vocals
4. Lure of the Sirens
Later on Melisina uses the song she learned from a siren song to mesmerise Elwin and make him fall in love with her.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – keyboards
Adele McMahon – violin
Sam Watts - flute
Dan Britton – bodhran
5. Melusina
Melusina tells Selina & Melody about her love for Elwin. They sing this song to remind her that love between a mermaid and a man is not possible.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway - Irish tin whistle, keyboards, vocals
Sam Watts – vocals, flute
Kate Easton – vocals
6. Storms And Sea
Melusina sings this song to Elwin about her home in the ocean to try and persuade him to live with her in the sea.
Mo Coulson – vocals
Chris Conway – Irish tin whistle, acoustic 9 string guitar, keyboards, vocals, bodhran, percussion
Kate Easton – vocals
Sam Watts - vocals
7. Longing For The Sea
Though happy in her new life in the village, Melusina secretly longs for the sea.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp
Chris Conway – sound effects
8. Underwater Dreams
One night she has vivid dreams of swimming in the ocean.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – keyboards, Irish tin & low whistles, vocals, kalimba, percussion
Dan Britton – bodhran
9. Don't Make A Sound
Elwin asks Melusina to marry her. She has doubts now as to whether it can possibly work out between a mermaid and a man but agrees to marry him and sings this song of love to him as he sleeps.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Sarah Hickman - cello
10. Mermaid's Wedding Dance
Wedding celebration as the villagers and Melusina's mermaid friends dance to celebrate with the happy couple.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – Irish tin & low whistles, keyboards, zither, vocals, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran
11. The Water Kelpie
One night by the shore Melusina cries as she misses the sea so much. A water kelpie (a mermaid horse) overhears her sobs.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, accordian, vocals
Chris Conway – keyboards, sound effects
12. Lady In The Moon
The water kelpie tells Selina and Melody about how sad Melusina is. The mermaids arrive and sing a magic song to lure her back to the sea.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – keyboards, bamboo flute, vocals
Kate Easton – vocals
Sam Watts - vocals
13. Return To The Sea
Melusina cannot resist the pull of the sea and at dead of night returns to to the sea. She is sad to leave Elwin but happy to swim freely once more in the ocean which she knows is her home.
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Chris Conway – Irish tin whistle, bombarde, keyboards, electric 9 string guitar, sound effects
Adele McMahon – violin
Sarah Hickman – cello
Spirits of the Mermaids is an enchanting album of Celtic music based on a tale of a mermaid who falls in love with a human man. Over the course of thirteen tracks, the plot unfolds as told in song by Mo Coulson on her Celtic harp, accordion, and vocals along with collaborator Chris Conway on Irish whistles, keyboards, guitar, zither, flute, vocals, and percussion. Additional musical guests also add their Celtic inspired colors to the mix.
As detailed in the liner notes, the story is inspired by tales of Melusine, a mermaid who appears in much mermaid mythology, and draws upon the theme of impossible love between the people of the land and those of the sea. I especially enjoyed listening to this album from start to finish with headphones to be fully immersed in the lush aqueous soundscapes created within this imaginative and entrancing musical adventure. -
Michael Diamond
Whimsy and romance swirl like the salty waters of the sea in the enchanting SPIRITS OF THE MERMAIDS from Mo Coulson and Chris Conway. The music goes hand in hand with a story based on the folk tale of Melusine, which in this case tells of a young mermaid who marries a human, but soon finds herself filled with a desire to return to her home under the waves. The music is a lilting blend of harp and guitar, with dashes of tin whistle, zither, kalimba, violin, cello and bodhran added to the mix. The overall sound has a light Celtic flavor and a relaxed quality that evokes a sense of peace and serenity. Coulson's vocals drift through several of the tracks, including the beautiful "Don't Make A Sound" and the music box-like "Melusina."
Remarkable, relaxing Celtic music that tells a beautiful love story based on the tales of Melusine, who appears in much mermaid mythology. Features special guest from the award-winning Govannen.
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