Ar Log
Encyclopedia
Ar Log are a well-established folk band
in Wales
who have performed since the 1970s. They perform both instrumental music and songs in Welsh
. Their name in Welsh means For Hire.
The original 1976 members were Dave Burns (guitar
), Dafydd Roberts (triple harp
, flute
), Gwyndaf Roberts (knee harp and bass
) and Iolo Jones (fiddle
). The four individuals were brought together by the Welsh Committee of the Lorient Festival who were eager that a Welsh traditional group should represent the nation at that year's Interceltique festival
in Lorient
. Here they met The Dubliners
, who suggested that they should stay together and turn professional. When they arrived in Brittany they had to think of a name and to reflect their status they called themselves Ar Log which means 'For Hire'. During this period, the group released the first of several eponymous albums: Ar Log.
In 1978 Iolo Jones left and then in 1979 Dave Burns left. This could have led to the break-up of the group but the group successfully advertised for a new guitarist (Geraint Glynne Davies) and fiddler (Graham Pritchard).
It is notable that Ar Log's members are drawn from across the diverse geographic and cultural regions of Wales - and from differing musical backgrounds. Dafydd and Gwyndaf were brought up in Llwyngwril, Meirionnydd
in the northwestern heartland of the Welsh language. They were immersed in the tradition of Welsh folk harping by their tutor, Nansi Richards
("Telynores Maldwyn", the harpist of Maldwyn). Nansi subsequently endorsed Ar Log's first album. Iolo Jones is originally from Caerffili
, a former coal mining town
in south Wales
. Iolo was originally a classically-trained fiddler but succeeded in crossing over to the folk genre. Graham Pritchard was also successful in combining, throughout his career, the complex harmonies of Ar Log with the lighter fiddle style employed by Mynediad am Ddim of which he was also a member.
The groups's lead singers also provide contrasting styles. The original singer, Dave Burns, is from Cardiff
, where one as likely to hear Irish session music
as much as Welsh. Burns made the transition between Ar Log and the Hennessys, a south Wales group singing in the English language. In comparison, Geraint Glynne Davies is a Welsh speaker from the north
. His main performing influence was the rock group Queen
. Geraint played a 'roundback' guitar with a distinctive tinny edge. In the absence of drums or percussion, Geraint's energetic guitar style contributed at least as much to the rhythm as to the harmony of the group.
The quartet of Geraint, Graham, Dafydd and Gwyndaf recorded two albums, Ar Log II and Ar Log III. The former album contains perhaps the best example of the Roberts' brothers harping: Merch Megan/Wyres Megan and Llydaw are two classic triple harp arrangements. These contrast with sea shanties
of J. Glyn Davies (Fflat Huw Puw
, Rownd yr Horn).
In 1983, Ar Log's horizons expanded substantially with the addition of Stephen ('Steffan') Rees (accordion
, fiddle and keyboards
). Ar Log's instrumental polymath, Stephen went on to lead an academic career in music. Stephen even plays clarinet
on one track (Ciosg Talysarn).Graham left in 1983
By this time, Ar Log had become particularly associated with Dafydd Iwan
, a long-standing figure in the Welsh national movement. In 1982 and 1983, Ar Log embarked on two tours with Iwan. The first tour Taith 700 was to mark the 700th anniversary of the death of Llywelyn the Last
in 1282. The tours produced two albums (Rhwng Hwyl a Thaith and Yma o Hyd). The synthesiser and accordion of Stephen Rees came to the fore for the first time on these two recordings. On some tracks, the synth would comprise simple, sustained background chords (e.g. Dail y Teim). On others, synth would be used to specific effect e.g. harpsichord sound (Abergeni) or trumpet fanfare (Yma o Hyd). The accordion medley on the Yma o Hyd album with its proliferation of triplet note
s remains perhaps the most complex set performed on Welsh accordion to date.
In 1983, the group recorded an all-instrumental album, Meillionen (=clover leaf), aimed primarily at the Welsh folk dance
community. Dafydd Roberts is a skillful clog-dancer
. The sleeve notes of the album also included a booklet of dance steps for the various sets on the album. Meillionen is the only non-eponymous album in the set.
Ar Log IV was recorded in 1984, going some way to dispelling a common myth that Ar Log had somehow become Dafydd Iwan's backing group. Ar Log's ability to convert simple tunes into sophisticated harmonies is demonstrated in tracks such as Cerrig y Rhyd.
By 1988, Iolo Jones had returned as a second fiddler. Ar Log V probably remains the group's most prominent album in terms of blending the synthesiser into the traditional elements. The group also rejoined Dafydd Iwan in 1988 for a celebration of the singer's quarter-centennial on the road. However, by now, Ar Log had essentially become a part-time operation as the group's members had found full-time employment elsewhere.
In 1996, Ar Log celebrated their anniversary by recalling all of the group's members, past and present, to record. Ar Log VI. A book was compiled by Lyn Ebenezer to mark the groups anniversary. An enduring aspect of Ar Log VI was the adoption by Ar Log of a drummer and bassist in some slected concerts. The new style brings Ar Log into a more folk rock style.Stephen Rees subsequently left the group and became a founder member of Crasdant. Geraint Cynan a prolific composer and music arranger joined on keyboards. Ar Log have taken Welsh music to over twenty countries on three continents and were the first professional Welsh traditional folk group. They are still gigging as a 7 piece. 'OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE IS AR LOG GROUP'
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
who have performed since the 1970s. They perform both instrumental music and songs in Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
. Their name in Welsh means For Hire.
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Dafydd Roberts (triple harp
Triple Harp
The triple harp, often referred to as the Welsh triple harp , is a type of harp employing three rows of strings instead of the more common single row...
, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
), Gwyndaf Roberts (knee harp and bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) and Iolo Jones (fiddle
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
). The four individuals were brought together by the Welsh Committee of the Lorient Festival who were eager that a Welsh traditional group should represent the nation at that year's Interceltique festival
Festival Interceltique de Lorient
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient or Gouelioù Etrekeltiek An Oriant was founded in Lorient, Brittany in 1971 by Polig Montjarret...
in Lorient
Lorient
Lorient, or L'Orient, is a commune and a seaport in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France.-History:At the beginning of the 17th century, merchants who were trading with India had established warehouses in Port-Louis...
. Here they met The Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
, who suggested that they should stay together and turn professional. When they arrived in Brittany they had to think of a name and to reflect their status they called themselves Ar Log which means 'For Hire'. During this period, the group released the first of several eponymous albums: Ar Log.
In 1978 Iolo Jones left and then in 1979 Dave Burns left. This could have led to the break-up of the group but the group successfully advertised for a new guitarist (Geraint Glynne Davies) and fiddler (Graham Pritchard).
It is notable that Ar Log's members are drawn from across the diverse geographic and cultural regions of Wales - and from differing musical backgrounds. Dafydd and Gwyndaf were brought up in Llwyngwril, Meirionnydd
Meirionnydd
Meirionnydd is a coastal and mountainous region of Wales. It has been a kingdom, a cantref, a district and, as Merionethshire, a county.-Kingdom:...
in the northwestern heartland of the Welsh language. They were immersed in the tradition of Welsh folk harping by their tutor, Nansi Richards
Nansi Richards
Nansi Richards Jones of Penybontfawr, Oswestry, was a Welsh harpist, sometimes known as the “Queen of the Harp”....
("Telynores Maldwyn", the harpist of Maldwyn). Nansi subsequently endorsed Ar Log's first album. Iolo Jones is originally from Caerffili
Caerphilly
Caerphilly is a town in the county borough of Caerphilly, south Wales, located at the southern end of the Rhymney Valley, with a population of approximately 31,000. It is a commuter town of Cardiff and Newport, which are located some 7.5 miles and 12 miles away, respectively...
, a former coal mining town
South Wales Coalfield
The South Wales Coalfield is a large region of south Wales that is rich with coal deposits, especially the South Wales Valleys.-The coalfield area:...
in south Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. Iolo was originally a classically-trained fiddler but succeeded in crossing over to the folk genre. Graham Pritchard was also successful in combining, throughout his career, the complex harmonies of Ar Log with the lighter fiddle style employed by Mynediad am Ddim of which he was also a member.
The groups's lead singers also provide contrasting styles. The original singer, Dave Burns, is from Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, where one as likely to hear Irish session music
Irish traditional music session
Irish traditional music sessions are mostly informal gatherings at which people play Irish traditional music. The Irish language word for "session" is seisiún...
as much as Welsh. Burns made the transition between Ar Log and the Hennessys, a south Wales group singing in the English language. In comparison, Geraint Glynne Davies is a Welsh speaker from the north
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
. His main performing influence was the rock group Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
. Geraint played a 'roundback' guitar with a distinctive tinny edge. In the absence of drums or percussion, Geraint's energetic guitar style contributed at least as much to the rhythm as to the harmony of the group.
The quartet of Geraint, Graham, Dafydd and Gwyndaf recorded two albums, Ar Log II and Ar Log III. The former album contains perhaps the best example of the Roberts' brothers harping: Merch Megan/Wyres Megan and Llydaw are two classic triple harp arrangements. These contrast with sea shanties
Sea Shanties
Sea Shanties is the debut album of Progressive Rock band High Tide. The cover artwork was drawn by Paul Whitehead.-Production:Denny Gerrard produced Sea Shanties in return for High Tide acting as the backing band on his solo album Sinister Morning...
of J. Glyn Davies (Fflat Huw Puw
Hugh Pugh (sailor)
Hugh Pugh , was a legendary Welsh mariner.Pugh was the captain of a 60-ton "flat" named the Ann of Liverpool, which traded between Runcorn and Caernarfon. His exploits were recorded by John Glyn Davies in the ballad Fflat Huw Puw...
, Rownd yr Horn).
In 1983, Ar Log's horizons expanded substantially with the addition of Stephen ('Steffan') Rees (accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, fiddle and keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
). Ar Log's instrumental polymath, Stephen went on to lead an academic career in music. Stephen even plays clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
on one track (Ciosg Talysarn).Graham left in 1983
By this time, Ar Log had become particularly associated with Dafydd Iwan
Dafydd Iwan
Dafydd Iwan , is a Welsh folk singer and politician. He was the president of Plaid Cymru .Dafydd Iwan Jones was born in Brynaman in Carmarthenshire, Wales, and is the elder brother of politician Alun Ffred Jones. He spent most of his youth in Bala in Gwynedd before attending the University of...
, a long-standing figure in the Welsh national movement. In 1982 and 1983, Ar Log embarked on two tours with Iwan. The first tour Taith 700 was to mark the 700th anniversary of the death of Llywelyn the Last
Llywelyn the Last
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd or Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf , sometimes rendered as Llywelyn II, was the last prince of an independent Wales before its conquest by Edward I of England....
in 1282. The tours produced two albums (Rhwng Hwyl a Thaith and Yma o Hyd). The synthesiser and accordion of Stephen Rees came to the fore for the first time on these two recordings. On some tracks, the synth would comprise simple, sustained background chords (e.g. Dail y Teim). On others, synth would be used to specific effect e.g. harpsichord sound (Abergeni) or trumpet fanfare (Yma o Hyd). The accordion medley on the Yma o Hyd album with its proliferation of triplet note
Tuplet
In music a tuplet is "any rhythm that involves dividing the beat into a different number of equal subdivisions from that usually permitted by the...
s remains perhaps the most complex set performed on Welsh accordion to date.
In 1983, the group recorded an all-instrumental album, Meillionen (=clover leaf), aimed primarily at the Welsh folk dance
Folk dance
The term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:*They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music....
community. Dafydd Roberts is a skillful clog-dancer
Clogging
Clogging is a type of folk dance with roots in traditional European dancing, early African-American dance, and traditional Cherokee dance in which the dancer's footwear is used musically by striking the heel, the toe, or both in unison against a floor or each other to create audible percussive...
. The sleeve notes of the album also included a booklet of dance steps for the various sets on the album. Meillionen is the only non-eponymous album in the set.
Ar Log IV was recorded in 1984, going some way to dispelling a common myth that Ar Log had somehow become Dafydd Iwan's backing group. Ar Log's ability to convert simple tunes into sophisticated harmonies is demonstrated in tracks such as Cerrig y Rhyd.
By 1988, Iolo Jones had returned as a second fiddler. Ar Log V probably remains the group's most prominent album in terms of blending the synthesiser into the traditional elements. The group also rejoined Dafydd Iwan in 1988 for a celebration of the singer's quarter-centennial on the road. However, by now, Ar Log had essentially become a part-time operation as the group's members had found full-time employment elsewhere.
In 1996, Ar Log celebrated their anniversary by recalling all of the group's members, past and present, to record. Ar Log VI. A book was compiled by Lyn Ebenezer to mark the groups anniversary. An enduring aspect of Ar Log VI was the adoption by Ar Log of a drummer and bassist in some slected concerts. The new style brings Ar Log into a more folk rock style.Stephen Rees subsequently left the group and became a founder member of Crasdant. Geraint Cynan a prolific composer and music arranger joined on keyboards. Ar Log have taken Welsh music to over twenty countries on three continents and were the first professional Welsh traditional folk group. They are still gigging as a 7 piece. 'OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE IS AR LOG GROUP'