planet gongKazbah shop
cover artwork
Williamson/Smyth/Phillips
Battle of the Birds mp3
Blueprint BP359CD || 2003 || £10.64   $ €  ¥  + p+p +tax
Click for big pic

Previously unreleased Fairy Tales 'follow-up'

This one time Ottersongs/GAS tape is in the style of Mother Gong's 'Fairy Tales' album, so if that's a particular favourite then this is definitely a CD for you.

Battle of the Birds is a traditional Celtic tale full of enchantment, a giant and magical birds and animals - an ancient story of the power of love triumphant over brute force. Recorded in 1981 it was adapted and narrated by Gilli and a cast of friends and relations. The core of the beautiful acoustic guitar and flute/sax music that accompanies the tale throughout is provided by Harry Williamson, Anthony Phillips and Didier Malherbe, although there are also guest appearances from Hugh Hopper, Jan Emerick, Simon Phillips (violin & cello) and Guy Evans.

The nicely produced 12 page booklet contains the full story and the lyrics to the only actual song on the album, 'Auburn Mary Song'. Well produced, the album maintains it's 'family' feel with various very young Allens, Smyths and Williamsons making cameo appearances and among the cast are Aardvark (now just plain Ark), one time captin of the GAS ship and now head gardener at Glastonbury's Chalice Well Gardens and Clare Jones founding member of Silver on the Tree now a Sufi Goddess/teacher in California.

The CD is rounded off with a few earlier pieces, slightly remixed, as instrumentals.

Track Listing: Total Runtime 50.50
  1. The Battle of the Birds Part 1 2.52
  2. Part 2 3.08
  3. Part 3 4.51
  4. Part 4 3.06
  5. Part 5 3.33
  6. Part 6 4.26
  7. Part 7 2.34
  8. Part 8 3.54
  9. Part 9 2.22
  10. Part 10 6.26
  11. Part 11 3.08
  12. Part 12 2.14
  13. Instrumental I 1.19 - Flash mp3 1'19" / 1.4MB
  14. Instrumental II 3.09
  15. Instrumental III 3.48
The Cast:
  • Gilli Smyth: Narrator & Auburn Mary
  • Tasmin Smyth: The First Queen
  • Harry Williamson: The Raven, The First Kings' Son
  • Orlando Allen: The Mouse & The Hoodies
  • Bee Williamson: The Cook's Son, Mice & The Hoodies
  • Aardvark: The Shoemaker
  • Helen: The Shoemaker's Wife
  • Dave the Wave: The Giant & Guest
  • Clare Jones: Vocals - Auburn Mary Song
  • Everyone Around: Guest's at the Party

Lingo : 
Info Now :  News   Gigs   Recent/Future/Planned Releases   Who We Are
Kazbah :  Mail Order shop   Mail Order information   Mail Order shopping cart
Downloads :  Downloads shop   Downloads information   Downloads shopping cart
PHP Connexions :  Contact   Links   Forum
Tribal Heart :  Releases   History   Bands   Maze   Discographies   Lyrics   Tabs   Gallery
Gliss :  Releases   History
GAS :  Releases  Archive Releases   History   Archives
Deep Cosmologistix :  Source   Gong Logix   Code Glossary   Mandala
Navigation :  Site Menu Off   Site Menu On   Home Planet  
Magic Hat :  Pass the Magic Hat   Check My Hat Size?