Guerssen Rec.
Pererin : Yng Ngolau Dydd (WA,1985)**°°
This fourth release of Pererin was only released on tape. This reissue is also its first appearance on any other format. While with the first tracks on side A, and with the first on side B it seems at first that the band is more into traditional folk than before, but when you listen closer it is clear that they further developed their ideas of arrangement, of songs, with some surprising string arrangements now and then provided by the upright bass player.
The first three tracks are lighter sing-a-long and "recognise-these" traditional folk songs which you eventually could here in (Welsh?!) folk bars, but, if you listen very closely, they are still performed in a slightly softer and warmer version than I would expect these songs to be played usually, so they still show Pererin’s lush vision on a folk sound. These tracks are arranged with electric bass (1) or bowed double bass, nylon string guitars, bodhran and mandolin. The next track, “Ar Gyler”, is a sadder, and really beautiful song, played with 12-string, some electric bass, and some subtle percussion, and of which the double bass arranged something like a full string arrangement in the background. “Ar Gyfer...” is one of the only tracks with electrified guitar. It has a folk-rock flavour and is again sung with the same attractive gentleness. Different however is "Dacw Nghariad.." which is accompanied by a funky electric bass, following a bit the bodhran rhythm, while the electric guitar in the background combined and harmonising with some bowed double bass, in combination gives a feeling of a somewhat orchestrated effect, where you might not realise that there is electric guitar involved. It also features a small whistle solo. This track especially shows a rather unique approach to folk, with folk-rock ideas. The next mellow sad song, “Can Job” has another moody, rather emotionally driven, chamber-like double bass arrangement to the song (electric bass, double bass, strummed and picked nylon 6-and 12-string guitars). Side B starts again with happy-folk-teasing rhythms, on “Hogia Llandegai”. The lyrics on “Jasmin” are almost understandable. It is a mellow romantic song about a woman called Jasmine, which besides acoustic guitars features more bowed chamber-like bass. Even when a “Faldarie”-folk theme is part of “Mae gen..” strangely enough it still succeeds as much with greatness with comparable arrangements and interpretations (chamber-like bowed bass, electric bass, bodhran, a bit of subtle electric guitar and mandolin) as in any of the other songs. “Y Ddraenen” is another slightly sad folk song which starts with beautiful solo flute with guitar, and then a mandolin arrangement, and is further led by 12-string and a very subtle, what I think is, an overtone keyboard ?? The track before the last, “Bachgen..” has the most traditional folk feeling of them all, and is led by flute and bodhran with guitar (and electric bass), and this with a sound that comes closer to especially Irish folk. The last track is a strong instrumental with a bowed double bass chamber-arrangement, electric bass, 12-string nylon guitar and a flute arrangement, and is a moody instrumental which sounds like a Welsh alternative to new Celtic music. A strong ending.
500 limited CD-only pressing.
