YNG NGOLAU DYDD

Not just a rumor anymore!

Pererin's fabled 4th and final album was released only on cassette in the mid 80s and even then had distribution problems. Some fans questioned whether it ever existed. Finally it has shown up on a fine CD issue from Guerssen. Don't wait long however because this is a limited pressing of only 500 CDs taken from the original mastertapes. Pererin is a legendary Welsh folk group that has flirted with prog and rock but remains very true to their traditional roots.

This time around the music is perhaps the least rocking of the four albums, dropping most of the full drums, synth, and electric guitar and opting for many acoustic instruments. And yet the sound remains full and rich due to the expert weaving and layering of the many attributes. You can expect a full slate of acoustic guitars, bass, hand percussion, flute, mandolin, violin, and the usual pleasant voices and arrangements.

Sadly this release lacks the brief English descriptions or drawings that give insight into the meaning of each song. That problem aside, Pererin's fourth is yet another collection of superb, warm Welsh folk songs that will captivate music fans. It is a bit closer to the style of the third album than the first two and yet the growth of the musicians both as players and arrangers helps the album succeed. The violin and mandolin in "Cyntaf dydd" are perfectly balanced with the bass and give such a nice flavor. "Dacw Nghariad" is a bit of a departure in sound with an almost driving, slapped bass that gives the song a funky edge.the violin and whistle parts at the end add another nice touch.

"Can Job" and "Y Ddraenen Wen" are as beautiful and mournful as Pererin have ever delivered and proves their stellar songwriting has not lost its touch. Great bass lines and vocal harmonies on the latter. Pererin ends their albums well and this time is no exception. "Henffych i ti" is a delightful instrumental piece starting with guitar harmonics and haunting strings. Drop dead beautiful flute and violin with strong bass again conjure imagery of staring out over a sea at dusk. Phenomenal track. The first Pererin album remains my favorite by far, but I'm deliriously happy with all 4 albums and recommend them heartily to fans of folk music.

Clearly there must be other nostalgic fools like me around, in sufficient number to foment the release of the final two Pererin albums in the space of months, this being the legendary ultimate recording. Yes it does exist, and the three years elapsed since "Tirion Dir" have changed little for Pererin. They remain more subdued than in the overtly progressive "Haul Ar.." and "Teithgan". Keyboard flourishes are virtually non existent. The mandolin brushes subtle accents upon their delicately ancient sound as before.

Yet this is a more progressive album than its predecessor, thanks chiefly to thickly resonating bass lines especially in "Dacw Nghariad i Lawryn y Berllan" and " Y Ddraenen Wen", and some mysterious strings and flutes here and there, including "Henffych i ti". The vocals are also more reflective. The generally somber tone is punctuated by some of Pererin's most typically Celtic sounding efforts, such as a capable rendition of "All Around my Hat", as well as "Mae gen i farch glas" and "Hogia Llandegai", the latter sounding like the early predecessor of countrymen Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion, and also including the only English words ever uttered, an encouraging "c'mon boys".

The general somnolence that permeated nearly half of Tirion Dir is hardly found here, and although Pererin's swan song cannot compare to their initial efforts, it is an excellent manner in which to bow out, with class but also with risks taken and surmounted.