The country of Wales is commonly known as ‘The Land of Song’, with some of the most notable choirs, harpists and even solo artists in the world. To celebrate the great musical abilities of Welsh artists, Wales Arts Review asked several Welsh writers to share their opinion on what they think are some of the greatest Welsh albums. Even though the discussion included a variety of genres, each album shared and highlighted a shared connection to the proud country of Wales.
Similarly to other Celtic countries such as Scotland and Ireland, Wales has always had a close connection to the world of Folk music, with the use of harmony found in the genre, also present in the way the Welsh language is spoken. Another genre that has a close relation to Welsh music is traditional choral singing, in particular, male voice choral singing. The annual National Eisteddfod competition, as well as other organisations and events, has allowed for traditional Welsh music to continue its popularity in Wales.
During the 1960s Welsh solo artists such as Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey began to emerge in popularity whose vocal styles have defined popular music in Wales for generations. Currently, Welsh popular music is celebrated through festivals such as Welsh Language Music Day which was founded in 2013. The festival occurs every February and allows for musicians and groups to be commemorated for their accomplishments in the music industry. During 2018, the festival found that some of the most popular Welsh artists on Spotify included, Cate Le Bon, Catatonia and Super Furry Animals.
Coincidentally, the Wales Arts Online ‘Greatest Welsh Album’ list below includes some of those artists that are listed in the 2018 ‘most popular Welsh music artists on Spotify’ stated above.
Generation Terrorists by Manic Street Preachers
What are the greatest albums by Welsh musical artists? Let’s start the discussion with Craig Austin’s essay on Generation Terrorists by the Welsh rock band, Manic Street Preachers.
Generation Terrorists by Manic Street Preachers is available here.
To read the article written by Craig Austin, click here.
Paris 1919 by John Cale
Gray Taylor continues the discussion of ‘The Greatest Welsh Album’ through his analysis on Paris 1919, an album by John Cale, a founder of the rock band The Velvet Underground.
Paris 1919 by John Cale is available here.
To read the article written by Gray Taylor, click here.
Paper Scissors Stone by Catatonia
The debate of ‘The Greatest Welsh Album’ is continued by Kate North’s piece on the alternative rock band, Catatonia’s final album, Rock Paper Scissors.
Rock Paper Scissors by Catatonia is available here.
To read the article written by Kate North, click here.
Enlli by Llio Rhydderch
Tomos Williams continues the debate with an analysis of the album, Enlli, by Llio Rhydderch.
Enlli by Llio Rhydderch is available here.
To read the article written by Tomos Williams, click here.
Shaky by Shakin’ Stevens
Gray Taylor brings another album to the debate; Shaky by the Welsh singer and songwriter, Shakin’ Stevens.
Shaky by Shakin’ Stevens is available here.
To read the article written by Gray Taylor, click here.
Colossal Youth by Young Marble Giants
Gary Raymond, an editor at Wales Arts Review continues the discussion of ‘The Greatest Welsh Album’ with Colossal Youth by Cardiff post-punk band, Young Marble Giants.
Colossal Youth by Young Marble Giants is available here.
To read the article written by Gary Raymond, click here.
Radiator by Super Furry Animals
‘The Greatest Welsh Album’ debate is resumed by John Lavin, who analyses the album Radiator by Super Furry animals.
Radiator by Super Furry Animals is available here.
To read the article written by John Lavin, click here.
The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
Another album by Manic Street Preachers, The Holy Bible, is suggested in this discussion by David Roche.
The Holy Bible by the Manic Street Preachers is available here.
To read the article written by David Roche, click here.
They Are Nothing Without Us by Cian Ciaran (of the Super Furry Animals)
The final suggestion from Gray Taylor in this debate is They Are Nothing Without Us by Cian Ciaran, of the Super Furry Animals.
They Are Nothing Without Us by Cian Ciaran is available here.
To read the article written by Gray Taylor, click here.
Cupid and Psyche ’85 by Scritti Politti
Graham Tomlinson further continues this discussion with the suggestion of Cupid and Psyche ’85 by Scritti Politti, a British band fronted by Welsh man, Green Gartside.
Cupid and Psyche ’85 by Scritti Politti is available here.
To read the article written by Graham Tomlinson, click here.
Patio by Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci
In the latest in our Greatest Welsh Albums series, Max Ashworth sings the praises of Patio by West Walian indy favourite Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci.
Patio by Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci is available here.
To read the article written by Max Ashworth, click here.
Live at Treorchy by Max Boyce
In the latest in our series on the great albums by Welsh artists, Darren Chetty pens a love letter to Max Boyce’s classic, Live at Treorchy.
Max Boyce‘s Live at Treorchy is available here.
To read the article written by Darren Chetty, click here.