Rough Guide to the Music of Wales [Enhanced]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2001)
• Original Release Date: July 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B00004U1GN
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,260 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Melangell/Megis Sybylltir

2. Y Ddau Farch

3. Mynd I Rymni

4. Kaniad y Gwynn Bibydd

5. Canu'r PWNC

6. Breuddwydion

7. Hiraeth Am Feirion

8. Hen Ladi Fowr Benfelen

9. Lawr A'r Ffrancod/Medley Caerfaddon

10. Conset y Peipar Coch/Erddigan y Pibydd Coch

11. Merched

12. Tom Edwards/Angharad Sian/Y Derwydd

13. SS Agnes Jack/Aberdare Railway Polka

14. Bethel

15. Erddigan y Pibydd Coch/Tri a Chwech/Marwnad Yr Heliwr

16. Pen Rhaw

17. Triban Morgannwg - Cas Bethe/Chwi Fechgyn Glan Ffri/Difyrrwch Gwyr ...

18. Breuddwyd y Frenhines

19. Miners Hornpipe/Monmouth Hornpipe

20. Fi Wela

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Celtic Celebration, August 7, 2000

By 

David Kleist - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to the Music of Wales (Audio CD)

Having Welsh heritage, and familiar already with Scottish and Irish folk music, I was delighted by the uniqueness and diversity of this Rough Guide compilation. Although there are analogs in the folk music of the aforementioned Celtic lands, Welsh music has a tonality and texture all its own. Fiddles, harps, bagpipes (although not the Scottish variety), and ballads abound on this poignant and thoroughly enjoyable CD. There is a lyrical melancholy here which predominates and which echoes some of the contemplative beauty of Dylan Thomas's poetry. I highly recommend this exploration of sounds which will startle in their haunting, lilting universality.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Other Celts, July 2, 2004

By 

S. Morgan (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to the Music of Wales (Audio CD)

Like the other customer reviewer, I'm also partially of Welsh extraction. I've been listening to Celtic music for years, but had very little exposure to the music of Wales. I had heard that it was strong on the harp and that was about it. I was thrilled to hear this compilation with a rich variety of sounds and instruments. The music of this little country is very different from more familiar styles of Scotland and Ireland. This CD reaches back in history to early recordings and brings us right up to the current Welsh music scene. If you want to get the big picture of what Welsh music is all about, buy it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Primer on Welsh Music, November 22, 2005

By 

M. Hartman (East Coast, Etats-Unis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to the Music of Wales (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful and broad introduction to the world of Welsh music. As expected, there are several beautiful examples featuring solo Welsh Harp (one by the grande dame of welsh harping - Nansi Richards). The Welsh are also well known for their love of singing and choirs. Rather than greats like Bryn Terfel, we have Capel Rhydwylm choir which sounds much more like the folks in your local choir than than The Sixteen. The entire cd has an honest and consistent informality to it from the Urban folk of Rag Foundation to the political-punk-folk of the Boys from the Hill to superb singing of Julie Murphy with both Dylan Fowler and her band Fernhill. This is a great compilation that deserves a place in anyone's collection. Since the music by most of these wonderful artists (Fernhill, Nansi Richards, etc.,) can be nearly impossible to find, not to mention expensive, the cd is an unquestionable bargain to boot. Most of the songs are either in welsh or instrumental, with a few exceptions.