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Celtic Radio Community > Wales > Welsh Music


Posted by: Cymro 05-Feb-2004, 03:38 PM
Hylô

Just wondering whether there's any Welsh music, particularly Welsh language music get played on the radio here? I've been through most of the request section and didn't find many sad.gif

king.gif

Posted by: Catriona 05-Feb-2004, 04:52 PM
C
You'd be better to put your question to the Music Forum, which is moderated by Barddas.... MacFive (administrator of the site) looks at requests etc in that forum.


Posted by: Jaxom 06-Feb-2004, 01:33 PM
There is a great wealth of Welsh Music History and culture to explore.
Last time I went to Texas and people asked were I was from? The reply Wales would meet with a blank look.
this seems a great shame as Wales and the Welsh have made great contributions to the "American Way"
Just look at American political history.
The Declaration of Independance, Past American Presidents, Solders from the American Civil War, Jack Daniels.
The names of a majority of Black People in America are Welsh, for example Williams, Owens, Powell, Jones, Davies, Griffiths.
(See, Jessie Owens, Colin Powell)
Perhaps We Welsh should push a little more? Who knows?
Jax

Posted by: MacEoghainn 07-Feb-2004, 05:50 PM
I also have found no Welsh music as of yet (see my post about Charlotte Church in Celtic Music). My Scottish and Irish blood cells are pleased as punch every time I listen to Highland Radio (even my German and French blood cells are tapping their feet, I won't say what the English are doing because my Celtic cells won't talk to them biggrin.gif ). Now my Welsh cells (Ap Howel and Ap Rhys) are totally unhappy, they shout "what people are best known for their choirs and aren't we Celts too?" sad.gif

Posted by: greenldydragon 09-Jun-2004, 11:57 AM
There needs to be more welsh music played. The Welsh are celts just like the scottish and irish!

Posted by: zephyr 14-Aug-2004, 09:43 AM
If you want a good Welsh group ask for Mabon, they are truly wonderful.

They went to Aus for the rugby world cup at the behest of the Welsh council and went down well.

Posted by: gwenynen 01-Apr-2005, 03:54 PM
Scottish and Irish music is the main stream in this site, but Welsh music deserves a special place. After all Wales has been called the land of music.

People have different tastes, so of course I can't say who is the best, but I can tell you whom I like. I like folk oldies, such as Plethyn, Pigyn Clust, y Brodyr Gregory, Rosalind a Myrddin, Dafydd Iwan, Mary Hopkin, Mynediad am Ddim. More recent(?) singers include Bryn Terfel, Siân James. I don't care for contemporary rock groups though some of them have become popular worldwide.

One of the characteristics of Welsh singers is their amazing harmony. Take Mynediad am Ddim (I think it means Free Access) for example. They are a group of 6 men who don't quite look dashing or brilliant (no offense intended!) BUT, once they start singing, their harmony sends shiver down my spine, honest!

Unfortunately most of Welsh CDs don't seem to include written lyrics. This has been the source of my frustration. I'm not good enough to catch all the words. Then I can't sing the songs I like let alone know exactly what they are singing.

I hear some of Plethyn's CDs come with lyrics. I mean to order one in the near future.

Well, I encourage anyone to add his/her opinions.

Posted by: gwenynen 04-Apr-2005, 10:55 AM
No one else's interested in Welsh music?! cry.gif

Posted by: WizardofOwls 04-Apr-2005, 10:57 AM
Actually, dear, I must apologize, but the only Welsh musician that I am familiar with is Charlotte Church! And I'm not really sure that I wuld classify her as Celtic. Lovely voice, though!

Posted by: gwenynen 05-Apr-2005, 07:39 AM
Wizard of Owls,

Thanks! At least someone responded. Charlotte Church is hardly a representative of Welsh music. Even BBC Wales music site doesn't give you the entire picture. You need to dig in and go back in time a bit. Of course, this takes time and you need motivation to do so. I consider this subject closed.

Posted by: Aaediwen 06-Apr-2005, 01:20 PM
One artist I like, is Jodee James. She's actually from the US, but sings in both Welsh and English.

Posted by: gwenynen 07-Apr-2005, 07:38 AM
Aaediwen, I looked up Jodee's profile. Sounds great. I'll look for her songs. Thanks for posting.

Posted by: MacEoghainn 07-Apr-2005, 04:48 PM
When I first found this site and Highlander Radio I asked about Welsh Music but nothing ever came of it. If you know how to contact some of the various Welsh artists maybe you can get some of them to contact Macfive and get their music playing here on Highlander Radio (see this web page: http://www.celticradio.net/php/service_mod.php?type=musicians)

MacE (Got some Welsh DNA from my mother: Powell {Ap Howell} and Rice {Ap Rhys}) smile.gif

Posted by: gwenynen 07-Apr-2005, 06:30 PM
MacEoghainn,

I'm glad to hear that. I'm afraid I just buy CDs from Sain and don't know the artists' sites.

Posted by: gwenynen 14-Apr-2005, 01:41 PM
Aaediwen,

I got one of Jodee's songs, "Trafaeliais y Byd." I love her husky voice. It's so... Celtic. I'm grateful she has lyrics for her songs on her web page. I'm helpless without them. It'll take me a while to figure out the meaning though (and I won't understand everything, I'm sure.) Another favorite added to my collection! Thank you!

Posted by: MacEoghainn 17-Apr-2005, 09:52 AM
Here are the lyrics to a Welsh Lullaby. Charlotte Church has a version on one of her early albums.

Sou-Gan

Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon
Breichiau mam sy'n dyn amdanat
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron
Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun
Ni wna undyn a thi gam
Huna'n dawel, annwyl bientyn
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam

Huna'n dawel hana huna
Huna'n fwyn y del ei lun
Pam yr wyt yn awr y gwenu
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu
Arnat yno'n gwenu'n llon
Titha'u'n gwenu'n ol a huno
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron

Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddor
Paid ag ofni ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y mor
Huna blentyn nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi ti fraw
Gwen'n dawel ar fy mynwes
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw


To my lullaby surrender,
Warm and tender is my breast;
Mother?s arms with love caressing
Lay their blessing on your rest;
Nothing shall tonight alarm you,
None shall harm you, have no fear;
Lie contented, calmly slumber
On your mother?s breast my dear.

Here tonight I tightly hold you
And enfold you while you sleep,
Why, I wonder, are you smiling
Smiling in your slumber deep?
Are the angels on you smiling
And beguiling you with charm,
While you also smile, my blossom,
In my bosom soft and warm?

Have no fear now, leaves are knocking,
Gently knocking at our door;
Have no fear now, waves are beating,
Gently beating on the shore.
Sleep, my darling, none shall harm you
Nor alarm you, never
And beguiling those on high.

Posted by: susieq76 19-Apr-2005, 08:34 AM
Sorry I haven't been able to get on in awhile! CR's posts aren't coming through my email and notifying me of new replies or topics, and what with exams, my office moving and trying to start school at Meredith, I am going crazy!!! I will try to be on more!

Posted by: gwenynen 19-Apr-2005, 09:12 PM
Susanna,

I was wondering how you were doing. I'm glad to see you post. Hope things will go well for you. Hwyl.

Posted by: Siarls 22-Apr-2005, 11:12 AM
I love "Elin Fflur a'r Cysgodion" (Elin Fflur and the Shadows). Good Welsh music.
Ar log is supposed to be a good Welsh band.
You should tune into BBC Radio Cymru on www.bbc.co.uk/cymru
Good music especially on the shows C2 and Owain a Dylan. There's even a Welsh version of Robbie Williams/Nicole Kindman's "Somethin' Stupid". I'm not sure who did it or what it's called, I switched on half way through the song, but it's really good. If you come across it, let me know how I can get ahold of it!

Posted by: gwenynen 28-Apr-2005, 08:51 PM
There is a song, "Collu Iaith" in "Cysgodion." The other day, I heard the same titled song by Heather Jones on Radio Acen. Do they happen to sing the same song, or is Acen mistaken?

I love Welsh music but the trouble is most of the CDs don't seem to come with written words. I can pick up words here and there but not all of them. I want to sing them myself but can't! That's why I'm hesitating to buy more CDs for fear that my frustrations will increase. I know two CDs that include words according to reviews, so I'll be ordering them in near future.

Posted by: Siarls 29-Apr-2005, 03:34 AM
I've never heard of Heather Jones, but isn't Acen for learners? Maybe she's changed the words a bit for easier listening? I'll look it up.

BBC Radio Cymru has played Colli Iaith and announced that it is Elin Fflur a'r Cysgodion. Their CD, which I think is just called Cysgodion comes with words.

Posted by: gwenynen 21-May-2005, 03:40 PM
I just got one of Plethyn's CDs, "Blas y Pridd/Golau Tan Gwmwl." I love the trio's close harmony though most of the songs are in the similar style and may not be as exciting as other singers. The great thing about this CD is it comes with the Welsh lyrics and English translation.

I've learned a lesson in the hard way. I won't buy any more Welsh CDs if they don't have written lyrics no matter how wonderful the singers or songs are. I already have too many of such CDs including my favorite Y Brodyr Gregory.

Next CD I have set my mind on buying in the future is Mabsant. By the way, Sain has low prices for CDs and postage. International air postage is only £1. It's cheaper then the domestic charge by US companies.

Posted by: gwenynen 25-May-2005, 10:14 PM
One of the songs in the said CD is a protest song against England's flooding a Welsh valley to get water for Liverpool. Judging from the melody and the style, if you didn't know Welsh, you'd think it's a nice traditional folk song. It can be done in Welsh but not in English, I don't think. The language has to have music in its vein.

Posted by: Siarls 27-May-2005, 02:44 PM
I have the Best Christmas Album in the World Ever CD and have you noticed the significant contribution to Christmas songs by the Welsh?

Song 16 of CD2

Posted by: Siarls 27-May-2005, 02:46 PM
I have the Best Christmas Album in the World Ever CD and have you noticed the significant contribution to Christmas songs by the Welsh?

Song 16 of CD2 ("Deck the Halls") is sung by the Treorchy, Morriston and Pontarddulais Male voice choirs --
I was born in Morriston (Treforys yn Gymraeg)
I live within walking distance of Pontarddulais and have many friends there
And I have one friend from Treorchy.

Posted by: gwenynen 27-May-2005, 03:41 PM
I'm sure they can't help it as music is in their blood and poetry is in their soul. smile.gif What about you? Do you sing in a choir?


Posted by: Siarls 27-May-2005, 05:06 PM
HAHA! I can't sing. Actually, it's not funny because it really depresses me. I'm in the minority here and cannot achieve a note to save my own life! That's why I tend to mime the National Anthem and just nod my head to music. My singing voice is so offensive that I disgrace the National Anthem and wouldn't dare dishonour it!

It's strange though because many people have asked me if I'm singing when I'm speaking Welsh... so maybe it's confidence or something. Maybe I need lessons. I would absolutely love to sing, but I wouldn't sing in a choir.

I do however dabble in poetry and rhyming... I have a lot of good ideas for Welsh music. I need someone talented enough and patient enough to work with me to bring out my visions. I would love to see a Welsh music channel - boy wouldn't that be good PR for the Welsh language?!!

Posted by: gwenynen 27-May-2005, 10:57 PM
It would indeed! You can write lyrics and let Welsh singers sing them.

I did notice when I was listening to Te yn y Grug, some characters would 'sing' their dialogs. I wish we could hear you speak Welsh!

Posted by: Siarls 28-May-2005, 03:51 PM
I'll try and record me and some of my friends or something!

Posted by: gwenynen 28-May-2005, 04:40 PM
Yeeeeeeeei!!!!!! DIOLCH, SIARLS!!!!! smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif

Posted by: Siarls 31-May-2005, 04:19 PM
I'm not sure how to make an interesting dialogue!!! You want to hear Welsh and English, I presume?

I open my offer to all of you, although I'm sure Austaff has plenty of access to Welshiness with his family! In himself even! Do you still have family in Wales, Austaff?

Posted by: gwenynen 31-May-2005, 04:44 PM
Yes! Both Welsh and English! Because I want to hear your English too!! Let me think of some ideas... What about you and your friend interview each other, or if it's too personal, you can just read textbook dialogs. Diolch, Siarls. I can't wait! Arigato!

Posted by: gwenynen 31-May-2005, 10:50 PM
I found this great service that let you talk from PC to PC 'FREE OF CHARGE' (both Windows and MAC.) It's provided by Skype. I just downloaded the software (actually my husband did.) Now I'm ready to talk with any other Skype users (for learning Welsh at the moment.)

Have you got one, Siarls? It's so simple to apply and it's free! (unless you want other extra benefits.) You need a microphone and speakers but they don't cost much. (We have them already.) The website is:

http://www.skype.com/products/skype/windows or
http://www.skype.com/products/skype/macosx

Then you won't have to make voice files or CD. We can just talk on the computer free of charge!

Posted by: Siarls 01-Jun-2005, 05:27 AM
I'll get my brother to help me sort it out and then I'll get back to you!

Posted by: Gogsrus 27-Jun-2005, 05:48 PM



http://www.carreglafar.co.uk/

http://www.geocities.com/sianfiddle/spdk_site/index.html

http://www.geocities.com/celticlyricscorner/ceredwen/index.htm

http://www.welshmusic.com/samples2.htm

http://www.mochpryderi.com/

Here are a few welsh music sites which I've come across.

hwyl
Gogsrus


Posted by: gwenynen 27-Jun-2005, 06:53 PM
Helo Gogsrus. Croeso i'r fforwm! Diolch am y wefannau 'ma. Welcome to the forum, Gogsrus. Thanks for the websites here. I sampled some of the songs which sounded great. I only wish they don't use white letters on black or bright background! I'm blinded afterwards!

I'm so glad you've come! We need more Welsh to boost the Welsh threads. Please introduce yourself in the 'Introduce yourself' thread under 'Wales' section. I hope you'll post in 'Beginner's Welsh' in 'Celtic Language' too. (You may sometimes need to search on the 2nd page for these threads.)

Hwyl

Posted by: susieq76 30-Jun-2005, 01:52 PM
Helo Gogsrus! Good to meet you. Thank you so much for all of the great music sites! What a big help.

Posted by: Gogsrus 18-Jul-2005, 04:25 PM
Hi,
I'm starting to find my way around, but haven't had much time to visit lately! I'll try to provide an intro later this week!

This caught my attention today!

Harpist stirred by story of Welsh princess Jul 18 2005




Rhodri Clark, Western Mail


The moving story of Gwenllian, Wales's last princess, has inspired a new album by harpist Llio Rhydderch.

Llio, like Gwenllian, was brought up on the shores of the Menai Strait, and one of the tracks on the new CD reflects Gwenllian's first innocent months in the area in 1282.

Gwenllian's father, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, was killed soon after her birth and the baby was moved by the English to Lincolnshire.

To ensure she did not produce children, she was confined to a priory at Sempringham, Lincs, until she died in June 1337.

Llio, who continues the centuries-old Welsh tradition of improvising on the triple harp, visited Sempringham while preparing the new album's music. Old Lincolnshire airs, including Brigg Fair, are woven into some tracks on the CD, titled Gwenllian.

Llio said she was spurred on to create the album by the success of the Princess Gwenllian Society, formed in the 1990s to keep the princess's memory alive and to maintain the Gwenllian memorial at Sempringham.

'Gwenllian has been a footnote for generations,' said Llio, who lives on Ynys M?n. 'Now she's coming back to the nation's memory. There's a lot of emotion in the music (on the new CD). There are some happy pieces too, especially where Gwenllian's innocence is portrayed.'

Ceri Rhys Matthews, who produced the CD at Cardigan-based record company Fflach, said Llio had consolidated in her new music many of the harp traditions in Wales from Robert ap Huw, in the early 17th Century, through the Romanticism of harpists in the 19th and 20th Centuries to the contemporary folk music of recent years.

'This is a work so sensitive it exists in the space between the artist and the listener, fresh and new on each listening. It reinforces my regard for Llio as a brave and inspiring artist,' he added.

Tomorrow Llio will perform at the World Harp Congress in Dublin. A concert to launch the new CD will be staged by Llio at Bangor Cathedral on Monday August 1, starting at 7.30pm. This coincides with the National Eisteddfod being held in Bangor.

The concert will also feature harpist Elin Wyn Jones, one of Llio's former pupils, Ceri Rhys Matthews on pipes and flute, and Estonian singer Sille Leamon with her husband Martin Leamon, who hails from Gower. Tickets are available from Theatr Gwynedd, Bangor.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/yourwales/history/tm_objectid=15749609%26method=full%26siteid=50082-name_page.html

hwyl,
Gogsrus

Posted by: gwenynen 18-Jul-2005, 06:32 PM
Helo Gogsrus! Thanks for the great info about the CD. I hope it'll encourage the general public to learn more about Gwenllian and the history related to her.

And I hope you'll visit this forum often!

Hwyl

Posted by: Antwn ap Ioan 11-Aug-2005, 04:56 PM
I like Sian James and especially Julie Murphy of Fernhill. Her voice is extraordinary. Both sing in Welsh. Fernhill has a website and so does Julie. I wrote her a fan letter in Welsh and got a reply also in Welsh. It made my day. There used to be a short live performance of her on the BBC online somewhere. I ran into it accidentally while surfing the site. She sang a very very old song about hunting wrens, which children apparantly used to sing. All I remember is

Ble wyt ti'n mynd, meddai John.....

Antwn

Posted by: gwenynen 11-Aug-2005, 07:38 PM
I like Siân James too. Once I asked her for the lyrics to ones of her songs and she emailed me! I love her voice as well as her harp. I have "Pur" which she plays as she sings without any other instruments. It's excellent. I'll check into Fernhill.

Posted by: Antwn ap Ioan 12-Aug-2005, 01:12 PM
I agree Gwen. I like her voice too. I don't have Pur but have an album of her's called Distaw. I'll have to write to her too. That's one great thing about the internet, the fact that you can write your favorite artists. I'd asked Julie Murphy for lyrics too. I'll have to get Pur. Let me know what you think of Fernhill.

If you like a capella or sean nos singing, there's an excellent CD out of sean nos singers singing in Irish, Gaelic, Welsh and Breton called Celtic Sounds and Songs or something like that. I'll have to find it at home and post the exact tittle. The songs in Welsh are sung by Julie Murphy. Its a wonderful album I think.

Antwn

Posted by: Siarls 13-Aug-2005, 06:41 AM
I couldn't wait to get back from Italy and tune into Radio Cymru. While in Italy, I took Elin Fflur's CD "Cysgodion". It's great, I love it and my Italian friend liked it too, saying that Welsh is a language that sings well!

You know the song "Something Stupid" by Nicole Kidman and Robbie Williams (I think it's a remake in fact). There is a Welsh version. I shall email Radio Cymru and ask them for more details.

Posted by: gwenynen 14-Nov-2005, 09:09 AM
Siarls, do you know what happend to my post I posted here on the 12th? I saw it printed before I left the forum. Now it's nowhere to be seen. It was about one of the CDs I bought, Mabsant and Siwsann George. It was rather long and I don't feel like writing it all over again. I just want to know if you have any idea.

Posted by: Siarls 14-Nov-2005, 02:49 PM
Yeah same thing happened to me, as you'll see me complaining about in Croeso I Gymru link!!!!!
I shall find out...

Posted by: Antwn 15-Nov-2005, 09:13 AM
I've had a problem too, not so much with posts being lost, but with being unable sometimes to view the latest posts. It seems I'm only able to access an older version of this site at times where the most recent posts are from weeks ago. Then the next day, everything's back to normal. ????????????

Posted by: Aaediwen 15-Nov-2005, 05:23 PM
There have been some server issues over the last couple days that are likely causing you not to see more recent posts. Hopefully that is resolved now.

Posted by: Antwn 16-Nov-2005, 09:15 AM
Thank you Aaediwen.

Posted by: Siarls 17-Nov-2005, 06:30 AM
Yes, I was just about to update you as I just got a message from Macfive... our posts aren't irreplaceable, are they? We can continue normally.

I was listening to some Welsh on Radio Cymru last night and thought that perhaps our language sounds like one long song! I think Welsh is very good for lyrics as it is such a rhythmic language, but perhaps I'm biased?

Posted by: gwenynen 17-Nov-2005, 09:12 AM
Yes, Siarls. You are awfully biased as much as myself! biggrin.gif I do think Welsh flows like music. But I noticed some dialects sound more musical than others. I think northern Welsh is most musical. They sound like they're singing even when they're angry!

Posted by: gwenynen 17-Nov-2005, 09:44 AM
About our lost posts. Diolch Siarls and Aediwen. These things do happen now and then of course. Not that my post was so great that I don't feel like re-writing. I wrote it when I was so moved by Siwsann George's song the other day. Now I don't have the same passion.

But I'll try again. One of the 3 CDs I bought from Sain was Mabsant. (Their shipping is unbelievably cheap, only £1 for international air.) I heard a lot about the late Siwsann George. I don't agree with some of her beliefs but her singing is amazing, especially Myfanwy. You'd think this song ought to be sang by men but I had goose bumps when I heard hers the first time. Robin Huw Bowen's harp is beautiful too.

She sings in part Japanese in one of the songs. I wish someone had coached her with the pronunciation. The words are simple and easily learned. I wince every time she mispronounce them. But dim ots.

The other two CDs are by Hergest and Techwen Ifan. (Yes, I do like music from 70's and 80's!) Hergest is almost like Welsh Beach Boys. Actually one of the songs indeed is about relaxing on the beach! I have this CD on when I do exercise. A surprise bonus was the attached lyric sheet. Techwen is always pleasant to listened to. His political songs have such soft tone. I must buy his song book.

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