I would like to
say something positive about this CD from that fine Welsh label fflach-tradd.
However, I guess its appeal may be greater in TALLINN than in Talybont,
for most of the vocals are in Estonian, a language that doesn't just sound
"pretty" to me: it sounds pretty MYSTERIOUS too! But it is a seemingly
honest album from a Welsh/Estonian duo.
SILD (an Estonian word meaning "bridge") is an unusual male/female duo
consisting of Martin Leamon the Welsh guitarist/bouzouki player, and Sille
Ilves, the Estonian singer/fiddler/bowed harper. And this, their first
album, has the Welsh language title of "Priodi", a word meaning 'to marry/combine".
They thus play traditional songs and tunes of both Estonia and Wales,
and also throw in an original composition or two. And they play them very
well, with integrity, although some might find the instrumental sound
a bit stark and raw. Not me. And I also like the vocals from Sille. A
woman who seems like she would resolutely forbid any record company attempts
to commercialise her voice. She has a voice of some character.
Dai Woosnam
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this CD online from The Listening Post The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 59 of The Living Tradition magazine. |