(This review first appeared in issue 61 of Shindig! magazine.)
Agati
CD
Top session guitarist
and Colorama mainman Carwyn Ellis teams up with family harmonists Plu
for this short but charming suite of Welsh language folk. Bendith
means blessing in Welsh, a fitting title for a band and album that
pays homage to family and fond childhood memories of time spent in
Carmarthenshire. This is most notable on lead single 'Dannybanc',
named after the home of Ellis' grandparents.
This firmly-rooted
sense of place permeates the album with the sparse, subtle
arrangements and acoustic instrumentation allowing the Plu siblings'
voices to take centre stage. Elan, Marged and Gwilym Rhys' three-part
harmonies are haunting, beautiful and mysterious, helping make the
album into the perfect Sunday morning soundtrack
Minimalist and easy on
the ear, this delightful modern folk will be of particular interest
to those resident in west Wales, but will resonate further afield
with anyone with open ears willing to give it a chance.
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