Customer Reviews

Songs Of Love And Parting/Five Bardic Mysteries [2 on 1]

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This record and the earlier "Glint" seem to be a pair, and what a priceless pair it is. They are similar in mood, although not exactly in arrangements, which is not a surprise given the fact that "Glint" was made with the Merry Band.

There's a wealth of excellent songs on this record: "verses in Stewart Street" is a fine, sweet song. "For Mr Thomas" (reappearing on "Seed-At-Zero") is quite unusual, not least by the use of glasses for added effect."Fare thee well .." is, apparently, a song about the loss of a dear friend. "Return no more" has a distinct "trad" feeling, and it deals with the departure of many Scots from their native land as a result of the English oppression in the 19th century, followed by the trad tune "tarry wool" which sounds very powerful. "For three of us" is a personal favorite - I've been playing this one for years now - great atmosphere and fine lyrics (".....all that's been has led us hither, all that's here must lead us on"). "Sigil" is a very sweet love song. What follows is "flower of the briar", which I've often thought of as some kind of central piece in Robin's work. "the forming of Blodeuwedd" is a very strange but effective piece about the creation of a woman out of flowers, while the following instrumental "Gwydion's dream" is great. Then "verses at Balwearie Tower", also to be found on Seed-At-Zero, follows and another instrumental, "a night at Ardpatrick". The original record then ends with the trad folk song "the parting glass", which he really makes his own - I've not heard a better version yet.

In this cd age we're given something extra in the shape of the "Five bardic mysteries", which can be viewed as predecessors to the "Gems of Celtic Story". In fact, "the dialogue of the two sages" can be found in a more complete version on "Gems of Celtic Story 2". On this cd, the stories included are introduced by Robin (which is not the case on the more recent "Gems") and again he shows what a fabulous storyteller he is.

This package of "Songs" and "Five bardic mysteries" is marvellous and if you're fond of Williamson's work you are absolutly obliged to buy this cd. You'll enjoy this smouldering fire for years to come.

Hans Wigman

Having followed Robin Williamsons varied career since the late sixties, there are definitely more spectactular moments than this: Take the kaleidoscopic Hangmans with ISB and the many exciting collaborations with various ensembles and projects. Owning most of his recordings, I find, as the years pass, that none are more deeply satisfying and touching in the long run than this 1983 venture.
I refer the reader to the excellent single previous review as regards the songs, but would like to accent "Verses of Balwearie Tower" as one of the great pieces of poetry into music, and "For Mr. Thomas" as a homage equal to Dylan Thomas`own finest moments, complete with spine-tingling wine-glass sounds. Strange to see the low sales of such a musical treat; a companion to keep and return to over many, many years: With accumulating life experiences, these songs reveal ever new facets of meaning.