Post Description

Folk, Welsh.

Shimli is the follow up to 2020's Dilyn Afon by Welsh folk singer, researcher, grain grower and cultural historian Owen Shiers, aka 'Cynefin'. Continuing in the vein of rooting his music firmly in the customs and cultural vernacular of Ceredigion, the album takes its title from the now obsolete West Walian practice of all night musical and poetic vigils which used to take place in mills and workshops. 

Drawing inspiration from folk song, the beirdd gwlad (folk poet) tradition – as well as living oral history and story, the album explores the intersection between music, poetry, food and the natural world. A personal dispatch from the struggle to maintain a language, culture and way of life, the album is a musical petition – a stake in the ground for the diverse and the disappearing in our age of homogenisation and mass amnesia.

Each of these eleven delicately considered songs, with Owen’s vocals plaintive and earnest, carrying the piece without upsetting the music, comes with extensive bilingual notes in a beautifully photographed booklet (you really should consider a physical copy of the album). It makes the whole project feel like an historical artefact as well as a passionate nod to a very different time and way of life that we could learn from. But Shimli is also, at its core, a wonderful set of songs with a musical backing that manages to be dynamic without becoming unnecessary. It is another remarkable release from this unique musician.

Tracks:
01. Helmi
02. Cornicyll
03. Mae'r Nen Yn Ei Glesni
04. Shili Ga Bwd
05. Y Medelwr
06. Cwm Alltcafan
07. Pryd Y Potsiwr
08. Cwrw Bach
09. Pont Llanio
10. Pysgota
11. Faerdre Fach

Staat er compleet op, 10% pars mee gepost. Met zeer veel dank aan de originele poster. Laat af en toe eens weten wat je van het album vindt. Altijd leuk, de mening van anderen. Oh ja, MP3 doe ik niet aan.