Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players

Subject: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Sky-Coyote
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:46 PM

Hello Mudcatters,
I am looking for CD's of traditional Welsh music (in particular music performed on the Crywth.I hope my spelling is correct). I am looking to swap burned CD's or MD's and can supply Jazz fiddle, Rare Early Hula Steel Guitar and/or Gypsy Jazz CD's in return. I will mail anywhere in the world and want no money. I simply can not find this music at the library or from a friend so please help..........

With Regards, Sky-Coyote/the Jazzin' Hobo from Canada who is getting interested in his heritage.

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 03:17 PM

I'm no expert, but google on Cass Meurig and cwrth and trac - you'll be amazed what you find. Besides Cass' cwrth cd, my recommendations are the 2 "best of" Plethyn cd's from Sain or wherever you can get them, and both the cd's on Tant Records.
I also recommend that you start listening to Frank Hennessy's archived Celtic Heartbeat on Radio Wales - unless you want to start learning to siarad Cymraeg!
Keep your Sol Hoopi ----- let us know how you like the Welsh music.
Chris yn Wheaton, IL

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: treewind
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 03:44 PM

One word:

BRAGOD

(and don't you dare trying to get swaps, CDR burns or minidiscs - CD ordering details are on their site follow the links and support them!)

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 05:12 PM

Similar provisos as above, plus "I'll cut your balls off"
Try Crasdant. I don't know about the Crywth, they do play the Pibgorn though and are extremely good.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Compton
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 05:29 PM

Crasdant are the new black....but there doesn't appear to a crwth (small harp ??) on either the CDs I have!

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Juan P-B
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 06:44 PM

Try a band called 'Firebrand'

look on www.firebrand.org.uk (sorry! can't do the blue clicky thing yet)

They use an excellent Welsh harper, John Harris, on their recordings -some instrumental & some vocal

Hope you like
Juan

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 07:11 PM

A crwth is not a small harp, if I'm not mistaken, but a bowed zither kind of like a square, non-lute-shaped fiddle. Is this what you mean? I'm pretty sure Mabsant used one on some of their early recordings. Rough Guide put out a pretty good Welsh folk compilation, which may have one. Siwsann George used one on her "Traditional Songs of Wales," which is a good CD. Sain records has a couple of compilations too which are worthwhile. But even among Welsh folk bands, it's not a common instrument.

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: sian, west wales
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 04:31 AM

A crwth is best described as a bowed lyre. And, yes, Bragod and Cass Meurig are the two names to look for. Crasdant doesn't use the crwth. It may be that Cass plays crwth on some of the albums of groups of which she is a member, like Pigyn Clust and Fernhill. It may be that Carreg Lafar will be using it in the future as I think one of the members has just bought one. There is more info on the crwth at www.crwth.info.

I almost didn't post this info as I think it stinks to try to get a pirate version. If you want to do a swap, do an honest swap with the artist. I too am a Canadian and I work with these artists on a daily basis. They don't deserve to be ripped off.

siân

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 07:17 AM

I don't think I'd be calling Firebrand Welsh music - when I've heard them, they do music from all over the place. Their repertoire does include the odd Welsh tune though (but and not with a Crywth). I think they are well worth a listen though, IMO particularly for the contribution of Miranda Sykes (double bass and vocals) but the whole band is good.

On of these days I will get round to checking Crasdant out - I've been meaning to for years. I'm not sure if I have heard them or not! Some years back, I remember Andy Mac bringing a new band he was involved with into a lunchtime session during one of the Bangor festivals but I'm not sure if it was or wasn't Crasdant - I wouldn't know the others.

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 08:24 AM

Agrre with treewind: buy Bragod. perfectly easy to find, and no excuee whatever to swap their music.They are musicians tryingg to make a living with what they do, to copy and distribute their music is not a kindly act.If you buy a CD, and gave a copy to a friend to publicise Bragod. that might be OK. But asking someone else to copy it and give it to you seems a bit dodgy to me. Only legitimate if you dont know where to buy a copy from.

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Compton
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 07:11 PM

I can't really see too much wrong with a tape / copy CD of something long out of issue and ungettable in any other way!!

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 09:22 PM

Bragod CDs are not long out of issue and are readily avaialble

Subject: RE: Recorded Welsh Music/Crywth Players
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 10:51 AM

Also should mention Celtish as a new Welsh traditional band - and was told that Sain will be putting up an improved web site soon- and check out Fflach too.
Look at back Celtic Heartbeat playlists.
The mention of Hawaiian music also got me wondering whether it was Welsh missionaries that helped teach the Hawaiians there great love of harmony.

Chris in Wheaton