St Brigid’s Day on 1st February has just passed, with the old Celtic Festival of Imbolc heralding the arrival of Spring in Ireland. St David’s Day is also on the horizon and the Celtic fringe is in creative mood.
St Brigid’s Day is said to signal the beginning of spring and an end to the darkness of winter, ushering in a new season of hope and growth on the land and the new arrivals.
So it’s only fitting that the all-female Welsh language group Pedair are celebrating their new arrival – their second album together, ‘Dadeni’.
The harmonies do all the talking on this one. Their exquisite voices make the melodic arrangements make for a beautiful album that is so easy on the ear – regardless of whether you’re a fluent Welsh speaker or have no knowledge of the language whatsoever.
With fresh interpretations of the Welsh folk tradition, and the intimacy of creating their own compositions, the group found their solace and hope during the tough days of lockdown.
Since their first album ‘Mae ‘na Olau’ (which means ‘There is Light’) won last year’s Welsh Language Album of the Year Award, Pedair has been in big demand with their rising popularity and numerous live performances.
Pedair is Siân James, Gwenan Gibbard, Gwyneth Glyn and Meinir Gwilym. They are not just incredibly talented individually, they are also close friends. That bond of friendship has strengthened their creative understanding – so vital when collaborating as an ensemble – and that bond really, truly comes across in the album.
It is an album that feels ‘close to nature’ – sunset, dawn, warmth, cool breezes, salt water and fire – it’s all in there.
The word ‘Dadeni’ means renaissance – or re-birth – in Welsh, and that makes sense. It is joyful, wistful, reflective and gentle on the ear. It displays in full glory the unique gifts of these artists as Welsh folk story tellers in song. It is an emotional journey from the dark depths of the soul to the joy of riding on the crest of a wave, from darkness to light, from yesterday to today – and onwards to a clear destiny.
The album features new songs by Gwenan Gibbard, making a name for herself as a composer of original material; ‘Y Môr’ (The Sea) and ‘Rho dy alaw (Give Your Melody)’ are two poignant but hopeful songs about finding strength and happiness again in the midst of life’s challenges – and even if you don’t speak or understand Welsh, the sentiment certainly comes through.
The contemplative quietness of Meinir Gwilym’s ‘Machlud a Gwawr’ (Sunset and Dawn) is in striking contrast to her anthemic ‘Dos â Hi Adra’ (Take Her Home) , driven by Osian Huw Williams drumming and Aled Wyn Hughes bass playing. Aled also co-produced, together with Pedair.
Pedair are joined on the album by Gwilym Bowen Rhys (mandolin), Patrick Rimes (fiddle and viola) and Gwern ap Gwyn (bass).
It’s been a pleasure and a joy to listen several times to this beautiful album over the past few weeks – regardless of my lack of linguistic ability, I like to think I understood it perfectly – for music knows no borders, and melody speaks all languages.