Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Just because the language to your mind is not easily grasped, or even understood, does not mean you can dismiss it, the structure of verbal information and exchange is not only measured by the words alone, it is the way it is spoken or even sung, it is in the intonation, the delivery, the way it can be felt to contain kindness, dramatic intent, the pulse of fervour and fear that gives it life and meaning; that is the meaning when you don’t know the nature of the words…After all there is light if we accept that it doesn’t always come from the Sun.

Following on from their debut album, Mae ‘na Olau, Welsh language explorers Pedair return with the equally sumptuous and gratifying recording, Dadeni, and in a name can never be more enlightening for the listener for what they are about to receive in abundance as the measure of Renaissance is seen to be a persuadable and audible fascination, and as the tracks sing with the highest of valour, the beauty of the language becomes clear, it is not always in the worlds but the delivery, the surrounding music; it all adds up to an album that almost feels as though it is singing to the heavens.

The praise from within Pedair is cool, translations barely required, and in tracks such as the composed glory of Rŵan Hyn, Golomen Wen, Cartref, O Blwy’ Llanrwst, Machlud a Gwawr, and Dŵr Halen a Thân the sense of beauty and feeling is overpowering, it is a dynamic that trembles the heart but stirs the mind to the absolute.

The foursome that inhabit the soul of Pedair, Siân James, Gwenan Gibbard, Gwyneth Glyn, and Meinir Gwilym, deserve the thrill they impart on the listener, they shoulder the cool of education and illumination with a genuine responsibility and ethic that catches the senses ready to praise as the interpretations of Wesh Folk tradition storm with generous tenderness and a realisation of further bonding despite the losses we encounter along the way to each rising of the sun, and the power we have at out fingertips ready to step in just in case dawn does not break.

An emotional and contemplative recording, a genuine confidence in this second outing for the four artists, as it proclaims, Dadeni is a Renaissance piece of extremely enlightening music.

Ian D. Hall