Siwan Llynor - Plu'r Gweunydd
Siwan Llynor is probably best known for her role as the colourful Cheryl Gurka in the popular S4C drama series ‘Tipyn o Stad’. However, Siwan has recently filmed her final scenes as Cheryl in order to concentrate on her music and other acting projects. This new stage in her career is marked by the release of her debut CD ‘Plu’r Gweunydd’ on the Aran label.
Siwan’s name is also well known in the musical world. Her background includes the lead female role in ‘Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn’s’ production of ‘Er Mwyn Yfory’. She was awarded the Lady Herbert Lewis Memorial Prize for her folk signing at the National Eisteddfod in Meifod. Whilst at University she provided backing vocals for Mim Twm Llai and appeared on record for ‘Ysbryd Chouchen’. ‘Plu’r Gweunydd’ was written especially for this album by Gai Toms (Mim Twm Llai) and Dewi Prysor.
Her folk background is evident throughout the album: from the silky arrangement of ‘Ar Lan y Môr’ by Nathan Williams to ‘Y Deryn Pur’ by the harpist Carys Owen. The harp also appears on ‘Y Caeau Aur’, a brilliant translation by Iwan Llwyd of ‘Fields of Gold’; the first time this song has been released in Welsh following permisson from Sting.
Siwan now works for various organisations on music and drama projects with children and young people. It was following a drama project involving a young girl from Aberystwyth that Siwan was inspired to write ‘Cân Gwen’. Other original compositions include ‘Creu Darlun’ and ‘Diwrnod Braf’. These display various influences, from the classical and operatic to folk, rock and jazz.
One of the most striking aspects of this collection is the wealth and variety of instrumentation, produced by Emyr Rhys. The musicians featured are of the highest order, from the jazz piano of Huw Warren to the trumpet of the Liverpool Philharmonic’s own Rhys Owens, which closes this record in such style.
There truly is something for everybody in this eclectic and diverse collection of songs.