This was Pererin’s first studio album and possibly their best. They were a Welsh progressive folk rock band and emerged from the ashes of Bran. They were Arfon Wyn ab Eurig (guitars and vocals), Charli Goodhall (guitars, bass and vocals), Einion Williams (percussion – bongos, congas and bhodran), Aneurin Owen (flautist) and Nest Llewelyn (keyboards and vocals). They also had Eleri Davies accompanying the band on harp. The band sing exclusively in Welsh, but if your keen on the lyric side of music, please don’t be put off if you are not a Welsh speaker, as the music is exquisite and tells its own tale. If you’re keen to get into Welsh, then all the lyrics are included in the album insert.
This is probably the best album I have had the pleasure to review, as it lifts some traditional folk songs into the progressive folk space and they sit ever so comfortably with the new compositions of Goodall and Eurig, which sound like traditional Welsh folk songs. What lifts this album head and shoulders above most folk rock albums is the angelic voice of Nest Llywelyn. Her high pitched voice was absolutely made for folk singing, but this was the only Pererin album that she was involved in. Sadly, Nest died in 2014 without getting the acclaim her talent deserved.
The title track starts the album ‘Haul ar yr Eira’ is an amazing intro with harp featuring followed by fast acoustic guitar and flute with vocals emerging at the end of the track. ‘Titrwm tatrwm’ is a traditional acoustic welsh folk song with Nest providing ethereal high pitched harmonies of the best quality over Arfon’s strong, atmospheric lead vocals which builds beautifully and climaxes with a flute solo. ‘Dechrau y gan’ was written and sung by Charli and features great weeping electric guitar and has a Brettonish sound that sweeps all around you. ‘Can y melinydd’ is another traditional Welsh folk song (Alain Stivell also did a great version) has mellotron, bhodran (brilliant) and has great vocals from Arfon and Nest – progressive folk rock at its best with some great fuzz guitar and flute in the middle as the track to build up to a great conclusion and final chorus! Arfon’s composition of ‘Ni welaf yr haf’ is beautifully sung by Nest and could easily be a traditional Welsh folk song (and certainly should be now) – great mandolin behind the acoustic guitars. Fabulous chorus at the end with Arfon and Charli leading with Nest harmonising over the top in a spine tingling way. Incredible composition.
Side 2 starts with the only English words on the album – ‘Royal Charter’ written and sung by Arfon, with fantastic support again from Nest. Great rhythm from acoustic guitar and bhodran, with the tin whistle floating hauntingly in and out and climaxing with electric guitar and drums. ‘Gloyn byw’ another composition by Arfon, is more of a folk ballad with Arfon again lead vocalist with incredible harmonies from Nest that would not be out of place in an Eisteddfod. The traditional ‘LLongau Caernarfon’ follows and has a rhythm to die for and brilliant electric lead guitar and great harmonisation. ‘Hiraeth y mor’ highlights the Welsh love of the harp in a beautiful short instrumental. Charli Goodhall wrote and sings the final track ‘Pan ddaw yBrenin yn ol’ is a great progressive folk song, with significant mellotron, flute and piano accompanying Charli. The fuzz guitar adds to the prog feel of the track and helps give the album its rightful climax.
Just an amazing album, that I am so pleased to have had the honour of listening to. Cannot be recommended highly enough. Cymru am byth!!
