Issue #154 - The Spaces in Between
Issue #154 - The Spaces in Between
Welsh Music Micro-Edition
Here’s a treat for you for St. David’s Day.
This special issue has been adapted from an email that sent to a colleague, realizing that this was actually quite a good list, even with some notable omissions, I thought I would share with the rest of you.
There is an incredible Welsh music scene and some brilliant records, I never mind that I don’t understand the lyrics, my wife is a Welsh-speaker and helps me out with titles occasionally.
Here’s a list of recommendations and little description.
Super Furry Animals – Mwng
This band needs no introductions, signed to Creation Records (Oasis, Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain), called traitors for singing in English, and then later in their career recorded the bestselling Welsh-language record of all time. Lead singer Gruff Rhys became a polymath solo artist and we even saw him in Millvale, PA a few years ago!
Cate Le Bon
Like Nico in the Welsh Valleys, the early records are folksy and indie, but now with the latest records its more Roxy Music and Kate Bush. I’ll recommend Moderation from the Album Pompeii, Hollow Trees from Me oh My, and Fold the Cloth from Cryk
Incredible record produced in South Africa by electronic artist Muzi – he only wanted to record with Gruff if the lyrics were in Welsh, with a couple a verses of Zulu thrown in.
Probably hasn’t aged as well, but this was a terrific group, led by the brilliant Euros Childs – I recommend Christina and Spanish Dance Troupe.
Strange electronic indie band from North Wales singing in Welsh, they remind me of Butthole Surfers, I’ll give you Raid the Farm and Executive Decision.
Has given all his records away free since he left Gorky’s, and think he’s on hiatus at the moment while he plays keyboards for Teenage Fanclub. He jumps around from experimental to almost classical, lovely video here. And another one, love this song “I had a piece of meat that I wanted to sell you…”
You’re already familiar with now, I love this song, she’s ace.
I have to leave you with Cassorole Efeilliaid by Datblygu who sound like The Fall - it’s a bit of fun. Love this intro by John Peel.
Oh, and my short film that I made in Welsh!!! – Anna Perotti Sings.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, there’s so much great Welsh Language music and new artists and groups arriving all the time. I hope that you enjoy listening and watching, let me know if you have any recommendations.
Cymru am byth!