Ffrindiau Ryan, Sain SCD2634

Ffrindiau Ryan

An evocative collection of tracks by Ryan Davies and many of the outstanding artists who shared the stage with him.

“We as a family will be sharing some very fond memories as we listen to the performances on this CD. This is not merely a collection of individual tracks, but a journey back to a creative and exciting period in Welsh entertainment, in the company of some of our nation’s greats. And to us as a family, it’s a glance back to a happy, innocent time that will never return. It’s full of fond memories.” Irene, Bethan and Arwyn Davies.

When Ryan Davies died suddenly in Buffalo, New York State, in 1977, at 40 years of age, Wales lost one of its truly great artists. As a singer and composer, as a comic genius in both Welsh and English, as a pianist and harpist, and as an actor who could equally deal with serious and comic roles, he was incomparable. Although television made him a household name, it was on the live stage that he perfected his art, and he shared that stage with a host of other Welsh singers, including of course his comedy and singing partner, Ronnie Williams.

This CD brings together recordings of many of the singers who appeared with Ryan at the famous Double-Diamond club in Caerphilly and various venues throughout Wales, and it shows the tremendous wealth of talent emerging in Wales during the 60s and 70s. Many of these singers went on to achieve world-wide recognition, but they all in their unique way contributed to one of the richest periods in the history of Welsh popular music.

Tracks –

01 - Ffrind i Mi

02 - Rheilffordd Tal-y-Llyn

03 - Ddoe Mor Bell

04 - Ti a dy Ddoniau

05 - Tro, Tro, Tro

06 - Pam na Ddoi di Gwen

07 - Moliannwn

08 - Hen Geiliog y Gwynt

09 - There but for Fortune

10 - Cylchoedd

11 - Dai Corduroy

12 - Carnifal

13 - Wedi Colli Rhywbeth sy'n Annwyl

14 - Banks of the Ohio

15 - A Ddaw yn Ôl

16 - Yn y Bore

17 - Hedd yn y Dyffryn

18 - Dilyn y Dêr Uwchben

19 - Pan Fyddo'r Nos yn Hir.

Casgliad arbennig o ganeuon Ryan Davies a nifer o’r artistiaid blaenllaw a fu’n rhannu llwyfannau Cymru gydag ef.

Roedd Ryan Davies yn athrylith arbennig iawn, a’r artist cyntaf i gael ei benodi fel perfformiwr Cymraeg proffesiynol ar deledu yng Nghymru. Ei gryfder oedd ei allu i apelio at gynulleidfaoedd yn y ddwy iaith, a hynny fel canwr a digrifwr, ac fel actor amryddawn. Roedd hefyd yn gyfansoddwr medrus, ac yn cyfeilio iddo’i hun ar biano a thelyn. Cyn ei farw disymwth yn 1977 yn Nhalaith Efrog Newydd yn ddim ond 40 oed, rhannodd y llwyfan gyda llu o gantorion eraill, gan gynnwys ei gydymaith agos Ronnie Williams, a hynny’n aml yng nghlwb y “Double Diamond” yng Nghaerffili.

Mae llawer o’r artistiaid hynny a fu’n perfformio gyda Ryan i’w clywed ar y CD hon, sy’n dangos ehangder y talentau oedd ar gael yng Nghymru yn 60au a 70au’r ugenifed ganrif. Bydd y casgliad hwn yn siwr o ail-greu awyrgylch un o’r cyfnodau mwyaf cyffrous yn hanes adloniant ysgafn yng Nghymru. Diolch i weddw Ryan, Irene Ryan-Davies, a’r plant Arwyn a Bethan, am eu cyd-weithrediad parod iawn wrth roi’r casgliad hwn at ei gilydd.

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