Sea Songs

by Bryn Terfel

Overview

Generally, the news is good on this entertaining release of sea songs from Sir Bryn Terfel, and those hoping for an hour of fun will not be disappointed. Terfel sounds terrific as he enters late career at age 58, with ease at both ends of his considerable range. His expansive personality is beautifully suited to the music, and he remains one of the opera singers with the best instinct for connecting with an audience. No texts are provided, even for physical album buyers, and in the English-language songs, they are really not needed; Terfel's diction is not only clear but infectious. Of course, the lack of texts is a bit of a disappointment for songs in Welsh, Breton, and even the extinct Norn (The Unst Boat Song). However, as usual, Terfel's comfort as he sings in Welsh is palpable. The variety of the album is its strong point. One might take issue with individual songs (Terfel's Sloop John B is hardly idiomatic), but there will be something else coming around that corner that will regain the listener's attention. Sting puts in an appearance, but there are also various chamber folk ensembles and appearances by Welsh vocalist Eve Goodman and the Welsh folk group Calan that must have those musicians rejoicing. Deutsche Grammophon backs Terfel up with unfussy sound from Cardiff's Acapela Studios, and the bottom line is simply that this release from the great bass-baritone is a great deal of fun. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	02/16/2024
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948648849
Rank:	7681

Tracks

1. Fflat Huw Puw
2. Drunken Sailor
3. Codi Angor
4. Whisky, Johnny!
5. Sloop John B
6. Me 'Zo Ganet E-Kreiz ar Mor
7. Ar Lan y Môr
8. Santiana
9. The Green Willow Tree
10. The Unst Boat Song
11. The Wellerman
12. Ye Mariners All
13. Harbwr Corc
14. Bold Riley
15. Mae'r Gwynt yn Deg
16. The Irish Rover
17. Leave Her, Johnny

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bryn Terfel   Primary Artist,Bass Baritone
Osian Rowlands   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Aled Pawys Williams   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
The Fisherman's Friends   Vocal Ensemble
Simon Keenlyside   Vocals
Eve Goodman   Vocals
Sting   Vocals
Ben Tunnicliffe   Double Bass
Hannah Stone   Harp
Archie Churchill-Moss   Melodeon,Guitar (Acoustic)
Patrick Rimes   Low Whistle,Piano,Viola,Fiddle,Bagpipes
Phylip Nichols   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sion Owen   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Iwan Griffiths   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Calan   Ensemble
Evan Carson   Percussion

Technical Credits

James Morgan   Producer,Mixing
Ben Robbins   Engineer
J. Glyn Davies   Text
Traditional   Composer
Bryn Terfel   Arranger,Liner Notes
Florian Karg   Cover Design
Lars Hoffmann   Production Manager
Malene Hill   A&R
Tony Lake   Engineer
Katrin Bahrmann   Design
Lea Schneider   Product Manager
Dorothea Schlegel   A&R
Betsan Evans   Cover Photo,Photography
Eva Zoellner   Liner Note Translation
English Traditional   Composer
Annette Nubbemeyer   Booklet Editor
Goetz Michael Rieth   Mastering
Calan   Arranger
Welsh Traditional   Composer
Juliette Pochin   Mixing,Producer
Valerie Gross   Executive Producer
Donal Hodgson   Engineer
Hywel Wigley   Engineer
CaribbeanTraditional   Composer
Patrick Rimes   Arranger,Liner Notes
Irish Traditional   Composer