Welsh Folk-Songs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Welsh Folk-Songs |
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1954 | |||
| Recorded | 1954 | |||
| Genre | Welsh folk music | |||
| Length | 32:53 | |||
| Label | Folkways | |||
| Meredydd Evans chronology | ||||
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Welsh Folk-Songs is the very first album by Meredydd Evans. He was a famous Welsh singer and a collector of Welsh folk music. On this album, he sings traditional Welsh songs without any instruments, which is called a cappella.
The album was recorded in New Hope, Pennsylvania. This happened after Moses Asch, who started Folkways Records, asked Meredydd Evans to record for him. At the time, Evans was studying at Princeton University. When Welsh Folk-Songs came out in 1954, The New York Times newspaper loved it. They even said it was one of the best records of that year!
Contents
Meredydd Evans' Early Life and Music
In 1945, Meredydd Evans started a music group called Triawd y Coleg. They sang in Welsh and used a style called close harmony. This means their voices sang notes very close together, creating a rich sound.
The group quickly became popular. The BBC (a big British broadcasting company) noticed them. They appeared on a radio show called Noson Lawen. This helped share Evans' fun Welsh songs with people all over Wales.
In 1948, Evans married Phyllis Kinney. She was an opera singer from America. They both loved Welsh folk music and started performing together. In 1952, Evans, Phyllis, and their daughter Eluned moved to America. Evans went to Princeton University to study Philosophy. He earned his special degree in 1955.
How the Album Was Recorded
During his second year at Princeton, Meredydd Evans got a letter. It was from Moe Asch, who started Folkways Records. Moe Asch was curious to hear Welsh folk songs. Evans had not heard of Asch before, but he agreed to record for him. Evans later said he really admired Asch's work. Asch collected folk music from all over the world!
Evans went to a studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania. There, he recorded a selection of songs without any instruments. These were everyday songs that had survived a big religious movement in Wales called the Welsh Methodist revival. Many of these songs are kept safe by the Welsh Folksong Society.
Evans had thought a little about which songs to sing before the recording. But he mostly made up the selection as he went along. He thought the recording session was just a test. He was surprised when Asch decided to release the recordings as a full album!
Album Release and Tracks
Folkways Records released the album in the United States in 1954. The album package came with extra notes, the song lyrics (with English translations), information about Welsh culture, and photos by Frederic Ramsey, Jr.. Later, in 2008, Smithsonian Folkways released the album again on CD.
All the songs on the album are sung by Meredydd Evans alone.
Side One Songs
- "O Fy Mrodyr I, Un" – 1:35
- "Y Gelynen" – 0:50
- "Hiraeth" – 1:44
- "Y Cariad Cyntaf" – 1:23
- "Ei Di'r Deryn Du?" – 0:56
- "Y Cyntaf Dydd o'r Gwyliau" – 0:53
- "Y Cyntaf Dydd o'r Gwyliau" – 0:30
- "Cyfri'r Geifr" – 0:45
- "Y Broga Bach" – 0:21
- "Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn" – 1:33
- "Ar Cyfer Heddiw'r Bore" – 0:32
- "Si-Hwi-Hwi" – 1:00
- "Titrwm Tatrwm" – 1:24
- "Ffarwel i Langyfelach Lon" – 2:00
Side Two Songs
- "Robin Ddiog" – 1:07
- "Diofal Yw'r Aderyn" – 0:28
- "Mae 'Nghalon i Cyn Drymed" – 0:38
- "Pa Le Mae 'Nghariad i?" – 1:34
- "Wel, Bachgen Ifanc Ydwyf" – 1:49
- "Dacw 'Nghariad i Lawr yn y Berllan" – 1:31
- "Bachgen Bach o Dincer" – 0:44
- "Yr Hen Wyddeles" – 1:26
- "Mab Annwyl Dy Fam" – 2:41
- "I Ble 'Rwyt Ti'n Myned Fy Ngeneth Ffein Gu?" – 2:01
- "Yr Hen Wr Mwyn" – 2:11
- "Bugail Hafod y Cwm" – 1:17
