Tag: Lleuwen

Sain is Wales’ oldest record label. Founded in 1969, it specialises in Welsh language and music with a roster of artists including, at various times, Aled Jones, Ar Log, Calan and the wonderful Robin Huw Bowen. Stafell Sbâr Sain (Sain’s Spare Room) is compilation of twelve tracks by the label’s current artists with Tŷ Gwerin being the stage at the National Eisteddfod dedicated to traditional music.

The collection opens with ‘Y Gwynt’ by Bob Delyn A’r Ebillion, the band fronted by Twm Morys. It’s starts gently with voice and acoustic guitar but that lasts no more than a verse before the rest of the band piles in and rock’n’roll takes over. Next is ‘Y Gwylliaid’ by Elin A Carys, originally recorded by Pleythyn. It shares its tune with ‘Ye Jacobites By Name’ and I’ll leave you to decide if that’s appropriate given that the song is about a band of 16th century red-haired bandits. The Gentle Good is one the best known artists included here and his smooth, rich ‘Mwyar Duon’ (Blackberries) is a lovely new composition.

Lleuwen’s ‘Heleliwia Newydd’ is inspired by her researches into old Welsh hymns – but you probably worked that out for yourselves. Just as we’re settling into a groove there comes a change of pace with ‘Moliannwyn/Monroes’s Hornpipe’ by Taff Rapids, one of the few bluegrass bands to come out of Cardiff. Irfan Rais comes originally from Singapore and his ‘Lliw Gwyn Rhosyn Yr Haf’ is a traditional song sometimes translated as ‘The White Rose Of Summer’ but that can be confusing.

Peiriant’s ‘ Cân Peredur’ is a decidedly modern piece – a duet between violin and electric guitar overlaid with some strange vocals. ‘Blodau’r Cwm’ (Flowers From The Dell) by Pedair blends poetry and the harp in a striking track and Gwilym Bowen Rhys’ ‘Mi Fum Yn Gweini Tymor’ is allegedly an old love song but I think that Gwilym has had a great deal to with the finished article. Excellent song though. ‘Llef’ is an old hymn tune but Gwenifer Raymond’s take on it won’t be gracing evensong any time soon. I think the accepted term might be “banger”.

Lo-Fi Jones are brothers Liam and Sion Rickard with Rolando Bertrand and Badger Brown and are based in Machynlleth. If the up-tempo ‘Onnen’ is typical of their work they must be great live. Finally, another well-known name, Georgia Ruth sings another old love song ‘Blodau’r Flwyddyn’ (Flowers Of The Year) ending the album with what you might think of as traditional Welsh music.

If you want to know what is happening on the Welsh folk scene today I can’t recommend Stafell Sbâr Sain too highly.

Dai Jeffries

Label website: https://sainwales.com/

Taff Rapids – ‘ Moliannwn’ – live