Play 90 second soundbite of 'Close Me Down' @ 'CD quality'
Released on Wise Records and recorded at ffg, Gloucestershire 'Singularity' combines Gwyneth's self penned works with a few trad.arr. pieces and some 'covers' (although to call them covers doesn't feel right - reworkings maybe). The trad.arr. tracks tends to be rendered in their original Welsh tongue but that certainly didn't and still doesn't put me off - you just have to marvel at that voice!! Also, Gwyneth's own works stand up well alongside such massive reworkings as Natalie Merchant's 'Motherland' and the late but great Nick Drake's 'Things Behind The Sun'; the former an exercise in controlled, haunting passion, the latter a mindnumbing exhibition of how to handle the complexities of Drake's writing - both absolutely stunning and totally compelling. And, without wanting to pick a favourite I just have to say that 'Motherland' takes some beating - partly because I've always liked Merchant's work and partly because Gwyneth handles it so bloody well.
Personally, I was drawn to press 'Replay All' after just one hearing. Subsequent listenings only strengthened my appreciation of this fine work. And, only on subsequent, subsequent listenings did I allow myself time and find myself analysing the beautiful instrumentation and creative arrangements that underpin this fantastic release.
'Singularity' is stunning from start to finish. There's something for most tastes in the eleven tracks but all are carried by Gwyneth's sensational voice. From observations on the beauty of the world that surrounds us to hard hitting politically aware statements of wrong doings and their consequences 'Singularity' has much to say and Gwyneth says it in the most sublime way possible. The recording is so well handled and has such clarity that even if you don't know the Welsh language this'll help you through some of its nuances and subtle sounds such that you'll start feeling like a native after a couple of listens (the sleeve notes include brief explanations of each track which also helps the non-Welsh speakers).
With 'Singularity' Gwyneth Keen has totally captured me. She's woken a slumbering passion for all that's good about the all encompassing word 'music'. 'Singularity' will be receiving a big chunk of my time over the next few days and weeks as I know full well I won't be able to put it away just yet!! My God, this really feels like I'm getting addicted already - quite right too - what a drug to get hooked on, Gwyneth Keen's 'Singularity'!!
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