Some sad news to bring you. David R Edwards, founder and frontman of the influential Welsh language band Datblygu died earlier this week after struggling with various health issues. RIP Mr Edwards.
After releasing a series of homemade cassette EPs in the early to mid 1980s, Datblygu's first two 'proper' albums, "Wyau" and "Pyst", came out in 1988 and 1990 respectively. Both have recently been reissued by Hate Records, and we'll kick things off with a track from "Pyst".
As it happens, a newer Welsh band is releasing its debut album today. They are called BOI, possibly short for BOIsterous, and the album is "Coron O Chwinc". It is available on Bandcamp and no doubt elsewhere. This track - there is no way I'm typing that title out twice - is the lead single.
We round off the audio with a cracking tune from the excellent "Welsh Rare Beat Volume 1" compilation that we have featured here before - also available on Bandcamp, as is the equally good Volume 2 - and then finish with the great Meic Stevens.
"Am" - Datblygu
"Tragwyddoldeb" - BOI
"Dwr" - Huw Jones
Arhoswch yn dda, bawb. Cael penwythnos da.
Sad to hear of the death of David R Edwards. I knew next to nothing about him but did hear several of the sessions Datblygu did for John Peel in the 90s. My incomprehension of Welsh was obviously a significant disadvantage (!) but it was clear from the reverence directed to him by the likes of Gorkys and SFA that he was held in high esteem. I must give my Datbygy Peel sessions CD another outing. The one track of Datblygu I still play regularly is Santa A Barbara - I'll get a translation of it one of these days!
ReplyDeleteMeant to say (but you probably already knew) there was an affectionate Guardian obituary written of him by Elis James - here if you haven't seen it https://tinyurl.com/n5r8uhya
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