TEITHGAN

No sophomore jinx here for Pererin, as "Teithgan" picks up where "Haul Ar Y Eira" grudgingly let go. It is almost as if the band had a deep well of material saved up and couldn't get through it on one disk.

One aspect that is apparent right from the imaginative opener is that the mellotron is back with a vengeance, as it enhances the flute dominated piece to give it a cosmically significant air. This is followed by the haunting "Y Gwr O Gefn Birth" where the flute once again predominates, playing harmony to the glorious singing, and the bass work is particularly notable. It is another of those Pererin songs, along with "Ble'r Wyt Ti'n Myned", that reminds me so much of Runrig's concurrent material, in a favourable way, without being a copy by any means. It is more in the defiance that permeates every note. For all I know, they were both recording at the same time.

As in "Haul Ar Y Eira", Pererin experiments with the rarely trod cosmic cowboy style in "Draw Dros Y Bryniau". Simply gorgeous. Indeed, while female voice is virtually absent from Teithgan, it is more than compensated for by the strength of the material and, frankly, the soakings of mellotron that substitute celestial instrumentation for ethereal voice.

Again the keynote of the album is struck on the final cut, which typically requires multiple plays before I get my fill. It strikes me as something the Byrds would have done if they survived another decade and, oh yes, sung in Welsh. It appears to be from the point of view of one who is looking down from Pary's Mountain wondering what will become of the land and the culture of Wales. The last couple of minutes are a most intense blend of pointed lead guitar, dramatic mellotron, and fluttering flute over heavily strummed acoustic guitar. It's not only the best song on Teithgan, but probably the highlight of Pererin's career and a major triumph for UK progressive folk rock. Shivers run up and down my spine throughout these glorious 5 minutes like a wave of nostalgia for memories locked within.

So, another triumph for Pererin, perhaps 4.5 stars instead of 4.9, but still nothing wasted and proof that this journey was one of more than a single step.

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