The Battle of the Birds is a traditional Celtic tale in the grand style. Enchantment, spells, a Giant, magical birds and a host of extras star in this ancient story of the power of true love ascendant over brute force. The images conjured by the combination of narrative, vignettes and magical music provide pace to a compelling story, and as a postscript there will be a few of the earlier pieces, slightly remixed, as instrumentals.

Musically this piece evolved from recordings in open tuned 6 & l2 string guitars made by Harry Williamson and Anthony Phillips at Send Barnes, in Surrey, in l976-8. During those sessions some simple orchestration was added. In '8I at Ox's Cross Harry transferred the original 4 track masters onto 8 track. Gilli Smyth, who had edited the Battle of the Birds story, narrated it in her own special way, taking one of the character parts as well.

The master reels were quickly mixed onto cassette, and for a short time cassettes of this very rough mix circulated via Otter songs/GAS. Now 25 years later the original recordings have been re-mixed and lightly edited to create this CD. Some of the music has been rearranged to fit the story better.

ANTHONY PHILLIPS & HARRY WILLIAMSON

Battle Of The Birds

1. The Wren & Raven 2. Raven Flight 3. The Magic Bundle 4. The Promise 5. The First Test 6. The Second Test 7. Wed The Giants Daughter 8. The First Spell 9. The Last Spell 10. From Rags To Riches 11. Auburn Mary 12. The Choice 13. Sombre 14. Flight 15. Twilight

£10.99 plus postage