This is the most impressive album yet from Welsh band Carreg Lafar. They have a strong line up, with impressive and passionate vocals, both female and male and a very accomplished instrumental line-up of fiddle, flute/whistles, guitar and assorted bagpipes/mandola/percussion. A good ear for a melody and some excellent arrangements make this stand out as one of the finest albums of Welsh music I have heard. The songs range from the spirited composition by Meic Stephens "Dic Penderyn", describing a Welsh working-class hero who was executed following the Merthyr riots of 1831, driven along by the guitar, with arabesques of melody from the other instruments interspersing the verses, to the haunting love song "Lloer Dirion" which makes excellent use of guest Claudine Cassidy's s cello. Many of the songs are enlivened by tunes written by members of the band, and the slow air "Llanllechid" is a particularly fine duet between violin and Lawson Dando's beautifully judged piano. The band have been making great strides, but since the recording of this album, which should be launching them onto great things, they have lost their guitarist - I hope they get a settled line-up soon and are able to use this terrific album as a springboard to the wider audience they so obviously deserve.
Paul Burgess.
fROOTS
At a time when so many Welsh releases are pushing the envelope and seeking to stand in line with a wider world - all honorable and worthy aims - it's refreshing to come right back to the core and listen to the excellence that Welsh trad, done well, can conjure. 'Profiad' mixes a whole pile of trad vocal tracks with airs, original tunes and Meic Stevens' epic tribute to a Merthyr labour martyr - 'Dic Penderyn'. The band are sharp, their playing by turn breathily atmospheric, or paced and driving. Vocalist Linda Owen Jones carries all before her in splendid fashion, especially effective on the close harmony, 'Y Dryw Bach', which steams into the title track - fiddle, flute and pipes weaving a tight mattress for further lyrical wonder and a marvellously spirited Balkan close. Probably the track with most gravity though, is 'Dic Penderyn'. Its blend of airy melody and doomed atmosphere bears out the promise that here is a band on the cusp of something rather big.
Sing Out! magazine
The beloved Welsh quintet Carreg Lafar are back with another topnotch release. 'Profiad' translates as 'Experience', and the band's maturity and seasoning are in abundant evidence. Especially splendid are the lead vocals of Linda Owen Jones. Carreg Lafar open their latest with an a cappella call-and-response vocal anchored by Owen Jones, then segue to the title track, a dense flurry of vocals, fiddle, pibgorn, flute and guitar. They maintain this superb balance of the simple and complex throughout the album. 'Llanllechid', for example, is a delicate fiddle air. It gives way to 'Y Gwanwyn', which Owen Jones sings in a giddy, dancing style that befits a song about the emergence of Spring. Then it's back to understatement on 'Dyffryn Cletwr', in which Owen Hicks sings unaccompanied lines that are then mirrored by a lone whistle. This is followed by the 'Seren y Bore' set of three traditional Welsh tunes rendered in a majestic suite evocative of bands like Lunasa and Ossian.
Each member of Carreg Lafar is as skilled vocally as instrumentally, but Linda Owen Jones is simply on another plane altogether. 'Tri Pheth' is emblematic of what happens when she steps up to the mic. It opens with a lilting, but casual, pace that lures the listener into a comfortable aural space. But the moment Owen Jones begins to sing, the piece soars to unexpected heights. In keeping with their penchant for leaving things slightly off balance, Carreg Lafar end this jewel of an album with a lyrical, bittersweet piece ('Iechyd O Gylch') that evokes the parting of good friends. Partings aside, this one is likely to enjoy a lot of companionship with your CD player. - R. Weir
Taplas
As the revival of Welsh traditional music gains momentum, it's good to see different bands each finding their own unique voice. Carreg Lafar have found theirs with this release. Enjoyable as previous albums were, Profiad shows a maturity and confidence previously lacking. Most of the album's content is traditional, though flautist James Rourke adds original instrumental numbers and Antwn Owen Hicks offers a commanding performance of Meic Stevens' tribute to working class hero Dic Penderyn. But it's Linda Owen Jones who mostly takes the warm vocal leads on such songs as the plaintive love song Y Gwanwyn, the title track (Profiad) and the New Year's greeting Y Dryw Bach, to which the other band members add pleasing vocal harmonies. Add to this some traditional Welsh fiddle tunes, nicely executed by Rhian Evan Jones, the haunting air Llanllechid and generally inventive arrangements, and the end result is very satisfying. Profiad has been a long time gestating, but it's been worth the wait!
Shreds and Patches
From the opening a cappela Y Dryw Bach, you know you're in for a treat. All the vocals are in We;sh though there are some clues for English speakers in the sleeve notes. It is for the overall sound and excellent instrumentals that you will enjoy this CD. Most of the songs are traditional plus a couple of very nice tunes by James Rourke, the flautist. There is also an excellent song by Meic Stevens called Dic Penderyn. However, I think my favourite track is the lively song, Profiad, which enumerates the real essentials of life - a kettle singing on the fire, a pony, fat cows, a big warm bed, fresh bread, love. Mae'r byd yn gwenu fel yn y dyddiau gynt - The world is smiling as in the days of yore. Bliss.
A regular helping of traditional songs and tunes with marvellous arrangements and themes. The songs are conveyed in both traditional and contemporary harmonies. The instrumental tracks such as "Afon Yr Haf" (The Summer River) and "Llef Harlech/Aberdulais are performed beautifully with sensitive arrangements between flute, fiddle, percussion, guitar and Welsh bagpipes...(yes - we've got them too!). Overall a well arranged, well produced CD. A fine example of Welsh folk music at its best, and one I'd recommend to anyone.
Folk Roots magazine
Carreg Lafar have been together since 1993, and 'Hyn', (the title translates as this) is their second CD. Backbone of the Carreg Lafar sound are the vocal talents of Linda Owen Jones and Antwn Owen Hicks, who kick things off with a belting, 'The Spinster/Bala Fair'. Carreg Lafar treat Welsh traditional material with a freshness and a skill that deserves to be heard far and wide. The next time I'm taking in the view from the top of the Black Mountains, you can guess what's going to be in the Discman.
Dirty Linen magazine
As impressive as their debut recording was, 'Hyn' is an even stronger and more assured work. Vocalist Linda Owen Jones is still the centrepiece: Her voice is as powerful and impressive as ever. But this time Antwn Owen Hicks takes a few lead vocals, and in the song "Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare)" they use an arrangement with layered vocals for a choral effect. Carreg Lafar is proof that the Welsh tradition is still alive and vibrant today.
Sing Out! magazine
Wales may evoke future English Kings, choirs and dour religiosity, but seldom Celtic music, a genre dominated by the Irish and Scots, with Bretons a close third. Carreg Lafar would like to change all that, and with this album might do it. Vocalist Linda Owen Jones is a marvel, her voice at once sad and defiant on "If My Love Will Come", where she dismisses a suitor more in love with the sea than with her. Equally impressive are the remaining quintet members. Each is a skilled singer, as is evidenced in their full-throated choral assault on "Grey Mare". On occasion, their edginess evokes Sweden's Garmana, but make no mistake, this is one of the year's best Celtic releases.
Rock 'n' Reel magazine
Of the current crop of bands rediscovering the Welsh tradition, Cardiff's Carreg Lafar must be among the best. With their second album, they continue to explore the rich musical heritage of their homeland with a lovingly crafted collection of songs and tunes. With Linda Owen Jones' voice and Antwn Owen Hicks' pipes to the fore, the band breathe new life into the tradition, not least through their inventive arrangements and outstanding musicianship. For anyone with an interest, 'Hyn' is an excellent introduction to the Welsh tradition, and bodes well for a band who are obviously proud of their musical heritage.
It's not often that you can accuse a pure traditional Welsh outfit of being rowdy, noisy and loutish - in the most creative and entertaining way you understand - but stand up that band...you are Carreg Lafar. This is a right spirited to-do and no mistake....all you really have to do is sit in a big, old chair with headset on and prepare to have your wig flipped. Yeeow!
Rock 'n' Reel magazine
'Ysbryd y Werin' is the debut album from Carreg Lafar, a new Welsh band based in Cardiff. Their music has strong Celtic influences with flute, whistles, fiddle and bodhran and strong male and female vocals. 'Alawon Fy Ngwlad' shows Linda's vocals exuding a quiet authority, while the full bodied instrumental work reeks of confidence and commitment. 'Ysbryd y Werin is one excellent debut and Carreg Lafar are worth keeping tabs on.
Dirty Linen magazine
Sain has a reputation for releasing the very best in Welsh music, and the debut by this band does nothing to diminish that; quite the opposite actually. By their judicious borrowing, Carreg Lafar might just have done for Welsh music what early Steeleye did for English folk - updated and expanded the tradition. They utilize some imaginative arrangements and lots of gorgeous singing on their material, covering the ground from serious to light. The sound may be accoustic but there's enough electricity crackling through this to light the Rhondda Valley.
Despite their nervousness about making their first American performance, to a larger audience than they had expected, Carreg Lafar gave a smooth, highly energy-charged, spellbinding performance. The audience adored them.
Chris Moser - Artistic Director
Celtic Nations Festival - Goderich, Canada
Carreg Lafar was one of the most dynamic, exciting and tightly executed groups I have ever seen. They made Welsh traditional music accessible to an audience that was unfamiliar with that type of music. They were a model of how to present traditional music - outstanding musicianship and production values.
Warren Robinson - Aristic Director