Gwenan Gibbard - Sidan Glas

The harpist-singer-composer's second album, presenting a tapestry of songs and dance tunes from the Welsh folk tradition.Her debut album, 'Y Gwenith Gwynnaf', released in 2006, heralded a significant new talent in the world of Welsh Folk music, and this second album will certainly consolidate her reputation. 'Sidan Glas' (blue silk) displays the whole range of her talents, as harpist and singer, as composer and arranger. It is an exciting collection of new, contemporary arrangements of Welsh traditional music and songs, the playing firmly rooted in the heart of the tradition, yet showing a fresh and innovative approach. Rhythmic and vibrant dance tunes and both lively and hauntingly beautiful folk songs combine to create a perfect showcase of Welsh traditional music at its best. Joining Gwenan are several renowned instrumentalists � the guitarist Maartin Allcock (Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention, Bad Sheperds), fiddlers Stephen Rees (Crasdant) and Angharad Jenkins (Calan), flautist Dafydd Roberts (Ar Log) and percussionists Dewi Ellis Jones and Asian music scene phenomenon Kuljit Bhamra (Bend it like Beckham, Bombay Dreams), together creating a colourful tapestry of diverse musical influences whilst yet remaining true to the Welsh folk music tradition, giving prominence to the harp and voice. Gwenan's strength as an artist lies in the fact that she comes from the heart of the Welsh tradition and is well versed in all its aspects, both as a musician and as a musicologist in her own right, familiar with the history and background of the songs and tunes and uniquely interprets them with great style.