Mabsant

Welsh traditional group

This group has over many years deservedly built an international reputation, and perhaps only Ar Log made a bigger impact amongst groups using the vehicle of the Welsh language. And listening to this retrospective "Greatest Hits" - type album, one can see just why Mabsant registered so well. For all the dazzling triple harp playing of Robin Huw Bowen, it has to be that ever-so-distinctive voice of Siwsánn George that gave the band its DNA. There are plenty of singers with much a bigger vocal range, but few I submit, with a voice quite so individualistic in its timbre. She is in top form throughout, and really CONVINCES the listener from the first moment to last.
For anyone wanting to be introduced to the body of Mabsant's work, I can think of no better primer than this album. And it is a very accessible one: the liner notes are (a) in black print on a white background (at last! Praise the Lord! Other CD producers take note: qv) and (b) more importantly, they contain translations of the songs into English.

http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/webr...