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Caernarfon based Sain Records are one of the leading Welsh
language recording companies established in 1969. In 1995 Conway
Council started staging a country music festival at the North
Wales Theatre in Llandudno during March/April, with Sain
presenting its own country music night on the Thursday night
performed in the Welsh language. From its very launch the Welsh
country music night was a complete sell-out with a waiting list
for returned tickets. Stalwarts of the British country music scene
Iona and Andy have been involved in all facets of the festival and
Welsh night from the very beginning and record on the Sain label.
In 2004 Conway council moved the main festival to the
summer, while Sain continued the music extravaganza in the spring.
Sain state, "every year, new and familiar artists have shared
the stage and many performers have received Gold Disks for the
amazing sales of their records. BBC Radio Cymru has broadcast many
programs from the event."
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sain's Welsh music
night at Llandudno there are 14 studio-cuts featuring 12 artists
to be found on Goreuon Gwlad I Mi 4
highlighting artists who contribute to the Welsh music night.
Popular duo John ac Alun kick the proceedings off with "Gad
Fi'n Llonydd" and Iona ac Andy follow with the title
track from their album Eldorado. Broc
Môr who have long been an essential slice of Welsh country music
are here with "R.S.V.P."
and Brenda Edwards originally from Anglesey contributes "Cariad
Pur". Dafydd Bullock later joins Brenda for a moving
version of "Yr Eneth Fechan Ddall"
("Nobody's Child"). Other familiar numbers include
Timothy Evans "Rhosyn Fy Myd"
("Rose Of My Heart" written by Hugh Moffatt) and
re-appears with the gospel standard "Hen
Gapel Back" ("The Old Rugged Cross"). As
well as starting the album off, John ac Alun close this very
enjoyable album with "Gadal Tupelo"
(Leaving Tupelo) a lovely song about Elvis leaving his birthplace,
written by Alun Huws and produced by Tudur Morgan.
Goreuon Gwlad I Mi 4 showcases
some of the best of the Welsh country artists and though all
tracks are sung in the Welsh language, this doesn't detract from
the enjoyment of listening to some spectacular singers and
musicians. This refreshing brew will appeal to both Welsh speaking
and non-speaking music fans. My one criticism…though not being a
Welsh speaker myself, I would have liked the few liner notes to
have had the English translation alongside, as this may encourage
the non-Welsh speaking record buyer to chance purchasing this fine
CD.
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