Bryn Terfel: Songs of the British Isles

In 1989 Whelsh Bass/baritone Bryn Terfel won the Ferrier memorial award (an honour he is definitely worthy of.) His newest effort has been compared to the folk recordings of Ferrier in the late 40s. Noetheless, it is radically different.

<pIt must be noted that the record has two titles so I have put the subtitle "Songs of the British Isles" in the headline. In the UK it is called First Love and in the US and Australasia it is called Scarborough Fair.

Terfel is joined by the choir London Voices, soprano Kate Royal and Irish boy band popstar Ronan Keating.Backed by members of the London Philharmonic, they render favourites and obscurities from the British Isles.

There are some interesting arrangements. An almost Wagnerian reading of Loch Lomond an an eerily large She Moves Through The Fair.I had expected something much more simple with this set of songs. It is, nonetheless, strong.

He sings Scarborough Fair (duet with Royal,) Blow The Wind Southerly, Molly Malone and other songs in his native Whelsh. Although very large in sound,almost neoclassic the record is worth a listen.