Comments for Brenin Productions, Merlin's Arthur

Produced, marketed and distributed by: Brenin Productions, Abergeirw, Dolgellau. Gwynedd. LL40 2PF. Wales. Featured artists include: Colin Rudd (vocals, guitar), Nick Hill (vocals, synth, acoustic and electric guitars, bass), Rachael Anne Davies (vocals), Duncan Stoddart (vocals, guitar, percussion), Chris Knowles (harp, whistle, bodhran, bouzouki), Eleri Davies (vocals), Allen Moller (uillean pipes, bodhran, electric guitar, low whistle), Anthony Griffiths (vocals, guitar), Marryat Wright (lyrics), Dan Morris (violin, viola, crwth), Tommy Wheedall (vocals), Nerus Tudur (vocals), Daniel Williams (saxaphone), Dan Morris (mandolin), Angharad (vocals), Rhiannon & Olwun Edwards (vocals). Actors featured in artwork: Fred Deane (Merlin), Simon Wilmott (Arthur), Lady of the Lake (Catrin Roberts), Guinevere (Catherine Williams), Lancelot (Nick Hill), Vivien (Rachael Anne Davies).

Susan J. Isaac (research, compilation, script), Dr. Russell Rhys (historical consultant), Light Art Studio (photography), Jennie Mills (costume design), Bernard Barnes (graphic design), R.C.S. (printing), Malcolm Murgatroyd (engineering), Brenin Production Digital Recording Studios (recording).

Really, I''m surprised that there aren''t more productions like this: a group of like-minded artists who get together and create a recorded musical project. Although overlong and in possible need of some editing (such a generous running time makes a one-sitting hearing practically impossible for most of us), these songs don''t get indulgent. There are only a few artists featured on each song, often just one singer accompanied by acoustic guitar), and, while this sometimes leads to the sound being thin, there are many beautiful folk ballads included here. There are also some traditional Celtic pieces and some larger productions, with more of a folk band sound. One aspect that does bother me is that different singers play the same character on different songs, disrupting the continuity of the sometimes excellent characterisation. The songs themselves range from those that come together strongly (ie: Lady of the Lake, Come by the Hills, The Knights Encircled Their King, ''Tis Like a Spell, nearly any of the songs with female vocals), to those that don''t work at all (ie: Tintagel, Merlin and Vivien). The material is strong enough to have stood bigger production, as befits the epic nature of the legends, but the intention seems to have been to retain a more traditional, storytelling approach, which is also successful. (Ian C. Thomas)

Bernard Banes (Bernard@gwern.demon.co.uk) or Chip Reynolds at Rockin` World (http://www.rockin-world.com) should be able to help those wishing to purchase this double CD set.

I picked this up while visiting Wales at "King Arthur's Labyrinth" in Macynlleth (mispelled, sorry). That was in 1997 and it is still one of my favorite albums. I especially find myself haunted by "You Possess a Garden."