Sian James Deuawdau Rhys Meirion

-Subtitles

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-

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-I'm Rhys Meirion.

-In the coming weeks,

-I'll enjoy the company...

-..of some of Wales's

-most talented singers.

-I'll travel to all sorts of places,

-some further than others.

-We'll share stories...

-..and of course,

-there will be plenty of singing.

-I'll invite the artistes

-to the studio to sing duets.

-We'll have fun

-and tackle a few challenges.

-I'll choose a song

-to sing with them...

-..and they'll choose

-a song to sing with me.

-Welcome to Deuawdau Rhys Meirion.

-I've come to Mid Wales,

-to the heart of Montgomeryshire.

-That's the first clue

-about this week's artiste.

-Robat Arwyn thinks she has

-the sexiest voice in Wales.

-I agree.

-# I worked for a season

-# Near Ty'n Y Coed #

-She lives in a remote spot.

-One of her CDs is "Distaw".

-That might give you another clue.

-# The trees sighed in the breeze

-# My heart broke

-# Despite all these #

-Hello!

-Hello!

-I've just put the kettle on.

-Thanks. How are you?

-Fine. Nice to see you.

-You live in a lovely place.

-You live in a lovely place.

-

-It's great.

-Marvellous.

-Did you have trouble on the lane?

-Did you have trouble on the lane?

-

-No.

-Is your exhaust down there?

-I'll look when I get home!

-If you haven't already guessed...

-..this week's guest

-is folk singer Sian James.

-Sian is well-known

-in Wales and further afield.

-She has performed in Patagonia

-and Canada this year.

-But her roots are deep here

-in her home, Gardden.

-It has been in the family

-for a very long time.

-Apparently, the Jameses

-have lived here since 1756.

-Wow!

-Wow!

-

-It's hard to believe.

-We've done the place up.

-There was small step in the parlour.

-Under the step,

-we found small hobnail boots...

-..a child's boots.

-That was the tradition, to bring

-luck and children to the house.

-Shoes were buried in a place

-like that, or under the fireplace.

-I have them, over there.

-It struck me that my family's DNA

-was in those boots.

-I'm sure.

-There's a real feeling

-of belonging here.

-I'm sure.

-The first thing I see is the harp.

-Yes.

-Guitars and a piano. Obviously,

-a lot of music is played here.

-Yes.

-The lads play instruments too.

-Guitars, piano, drums.

-And all three have done

-up to Grade One on the harp!

-Great.

-Just to please Mam.

-Just to please Mam.

-

-Fair play.

-Can I hear it?

-Can I hear it?

-

-Yes.

-Play something.

-I love the harp.

-It's a lovely harp.

-You know this.

-# LISA LAN #

-Do you know it?

-Do you know it?

-

-"Lisa Lan".

-Nice. It creates

-a lovely folk sound.

-We've recorded the same song.

-It's a remarkable tradition.

-"Ei Di'r Deryn Du".

-Yes.

-Half is in Welsh, half in English.

-What is that called?

-What is that called?

-

-Macaronic.

-That's it.

-It's an interesting tradition.

-Yes.

-Apparently,

-macaronic songs were sung...

-..in countries

-that had more than one language.

-There's a line in Welsh,

-then in English.

-Shall we give it a shot?

-Shall we give it a shot?

-

-Yes.

-I'll have to change the levers.

-If I get the words wrong,

-sing with me.

-I haven't sung it for a long time.

-Right! I haven't sung it

-for a long time either.

-OK.

-# Will you go, blackbird

-# To my dearest love?

-# Find my sweetest one

-# For I'm so deep in love

-# I have never seen

-# Such a damsel in my sight

-# As the loveliest lass

-# She is a beauty bright

-# Will you go, blackbird

-# To my dearest love

-# Find my sweetest one

-# For I'm so deep in love #

-Well!

-Marvellous.

-That has a superb sound.

-It's a lovely song too.

-It's a lovely song too.

-

-It is.

-I want to tell you a story.

-I went to see Robat Arwyn.

-He took out the CD "Distaw".

-He put it on. We had a glass

-of wine and listened to it.

-Then Robat Arwyn said...

-"..She has a sexy voice."

-LAUGHTER

-No!

-Robat Arwyn gave me

-permission to tell you!

-That's sweet.

-Oh, dear.

-I hope I didn't embarrass

-Sian too much!

-But we'd broken the musical ice.

-It was time to start

-the first duet, Sian's choice.

-I knew she wanted to sing

-something by Nansi Richards...

-..the Harpist Of Montgomeryshire.

-I must admit

-I wasn't sure what to expect.

-I've just received the song

-"Pennant Melangell" from Sian.

-It's about her area.

-I had a quick look.

-I'd say it has

-a touch of country music.

-It's totally different

-from what I'm used to.

-Sian hasn't arrived.

-I'll pop in to practise,

-so I don't make a fool of myself.

-See you later.

-The song is about this area

-and Nansi Richards, specifically.

-I thought it would be nice

-for us to sing it.

-The arrangement

-is in the country music style.

-I'm trying to push him

-to territory he wouldn't usually go.

-Hello!

-Hello!

-

-How are you?

-Welcome!

-Did you have a good journey?

-Did you have a good journey?

-

-Yes.

-Shall we go to the piano

-for a practice?

-Great. Thanks.

-This is country music.

-We'll see how I sound. I'm out

-of my comfort zone, remember.

-You'll be great.

-I suppose the style

-is country music.

-There's a bit of bluegrass too.

-Great. I'm looking forward.

-# The breath of her land

-# Is within me

-# The paths

-# Await my footsteps

-# My name

-# Was written in the register #

-I was glad we were doing

-a fairly new song.

-It's a bit different

-from what I usually do.

-It's not purely a folk song.

-It's nice to sing

-some country music.

-Great.

-# Remember

-# To take off

-# Your cap #

-There's no need to do that.

-I don't remember the arrangement.

-I don't remember the arrangement.

-

-We'll see.

-Use the Montgomeryshire

-dialect if you like!

-You say it like that.

-It's not "giap"!

-You don't want to say it like that.

-It'll be fine if you say that,

-and I'll say it my way.

-Coming up, how my Montgomeryshire

-accent comes along...

-..I get to be a roadie...

-..the sad story

-behind "Pennant Melangell"...

-..and how the song turns out.

-See you soon.

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-# A light came through the cloud

-# And sheep came to the lake

-# Three ducks came to quarrel

-# And the water was calm

-# The fire was lit #

-Sian, this is a lovely spot.

-Where are you taking us?

-This is Llyn Y Grinwydden...

-..on the hill looking

-down at the Banwy Valley.

-We'll see the whole

-panorama from the top.

-Look!

-There you are.

-LAUGHTER

-I've conquered Everest.

-It feels like that.

-We can see very far.

-The mountains are in the distance.

-All this is the Banwy Valley.

-All this is the Banwy Valley.

-

-The Banwy Valley.

-Let's sit for a moment to enjoy it.

-On the hilltop,

-Sian told me a story...

-..about her childhood heroine,

-who wrote "Pennant Melangell".

-Nansi Richards was called

-the queen of folk harpists.

-They met in an unexpected place.

-Nansi was an icon.

-I was lucky enough to meet her,

-when I was about twelve.

-I'd just started to play the harp.

-Nansi used to stay

-in a house in Meifod.

-Mam had her hair done

-in the same house.

-I went to the back and met Nansi.

-We played the harp a little.

-I'll never forget,

-her glasses were like jam pots.

-She played the harp like this.

-She followed her fingers

-because she couldn't see.

-She was quite a character.

-It's getting cold.

-It's getting cold.

-

-Yes.

-Let's go down for a cuppa.

-Let's go down for a cuppa.

-

-Good idea.

-Thanks for bringing me here.

-People might think

-Sian lives in a remote place.

-But someone always calls

-when tea is brewing.

-Hello!

-Hello!

-

-Well, hello.

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-How are you?

-This is Lloyd, my brother.

-How are you?

-I heard you were here

-and that you like cakes.

-My wife baked a cake for you.

-My wife baked a cake for you.

-

-Fair play!

-Sian told me

-about the house's history.

-It goes back a long way.

-It goes back a long way.

-

-Yes.

-The Jameses have

-been here for quite a long time.

-You said it's risky saying

-anything about the Jameses here!

-We're like the Mafia!

-The Montgomeryshire Mafia!

-LAUGHTER

-We are, a bit.

-People who said bad things

-about the Jameses...

-..are buried up there.

-They've disappeared!

-They won't find them.

-After a warning like that, I won't

-say anything bad about the Jameses!

-We returned to "Pennant Melangell".

-Sian's melody

-and Nansi Richards's words...

-..could only belong to one place.

-# Take me back

-# To Montgomeryshire

-# The journey

-# Isn't long #

-Can I do that again?

-It's very nice.

-My voice is a bit...

-# Remember

-# To take off your cap

-# Remember

-# To take off

-# Your cap #

-Great, a lot of that was good.

-I don't think we're far from it.

-It's not a problem if you say "ciap"

-and I say "cap".

-Why not?

-I'd like to hear you on the London

-Tube's tannoy. "Mind the giap!"

-"Pennant Melangell" was shaping up.

-My jokes about

-Sian's accent were worsening!

-It was time to hit the road.

-Sian and her son Mabon

-had a gig in Theatr Clwyd.

-# She knitted the waistcoat

-on a cold winter's night

-# To keep him warm

-in the dark moonlight

-# Tender were the fingers

-treating the wool

-# The waistcoat was warm,

-as warm as fire #

-You're lucky, you only have

-to carry your vocal chords!

-I know.

-But if you have a cold,

-you can still play that.

-No, you sing too!

-No, you sing too!

-

-True.

-Do you enjoy gigging?

-Yes.

-I prefer concerts...

-..in small, intimate places.

-I prefer the opposite.

-I prefer the opposite.

-

-You prefer a sea of people!

-Yes.

-It's just a blur.

-With a small crew,

-I get more nervous. It's odd.

-Do you get nervous?

-Do you get nervous?

-

-Yes.

-You'd think, after all

-these years, you wouldn't.

-There's no pattern.

-I don't understand that.

-I can be totally calm

-when I should be worked up.

-Other times,

-I'm totally worked up and silly.

-Here you are. Carry on.

-Do you want sugar?

-Do you want sugar?

-

-Yes, please.

-Sian's son, Mabon,

-is in the act now.

-I must admit I enjoyed not

-having to think about performing...

-..and being their roadie.

-Here you are, Sian. Carry on.

-Here you are, Sian. Carry on.

-

-Thanks.

-This was a gig

-for Welsh learners in Theatr Clwyd.

-The audience was familiar with Sian.

-She has such a lovely voice.

-She has such a lovely voice.

-

-It's marvellous.

-Her voice is so clear.

-She sings perfectly.

-Do you have a favourite song?

-"Yr Eneth Gadd Ei Gwrthod".

-It's a fine song.

-I like the melody a great deal.

-It always sounds enchanting.

-It's the way

-she takes old folk songs...

-..and makes them

-relevant to us today.

-When she sings, she touches people.

-Her singing is very sincere...

-..and always from the heart.

-Praise indeed,

-from fans old and new...

-..emphasizing

-Sian James's wide appeal.

-# Lift your heart

-# Dearest girl

-# You will get better

-# When summer comes #

-That was a fine

-performance of "Yr Eneth Glaf".

-"Pennant Melangell"

-was shaping up too.

-BOTH HUM NOTES

-There were a lot

-of good things there.

-There were indeed, but before

-we praised each other too much...

-You know your harmony, Rhys?

-You sing D.

-It doesn't matter too much,

-but it's not on the copy.

-# Remember

-# To take off

-# Your cap #

-Sing what's written down, eh, Siwan?

-Sing what's written down, eh, Siwan?

-

-Yes.

-LAUGHTER

-Someone has gone to trouble!

-Someone has gone to trouble!

-

-Yes!

-I wasn't the only one

-who wandered from the copy!

-# Take me back to Montgomeryshire

-# The journey

-# Isn't too lengthy #

-My lord, I'm writing poetry now!

-Sorry, Siwan!

-That's the problem

-with shutting your eyes.

-Sorry, Nansi.

-Sian chose Pennant Melangell's

-church for the performance.

-But first, she wanted

-to show me a special place...

-..which was very relevant

-for the song.

-It's over there.

-It's over there.

-

-Here it is.

-Ninety one years old.

-Amazing.

-Yes, it's Nansi Richards's grave.

-You can hear it.

-You can hear Nant Ewyn!

-I hadn't thought of that.

-Of course, the words are apt.

-Yes.

-In "Pennant Melangell"...

-..Nansi Richards tells of her wish

-to be buried in her home area...

-..that was such

-an inspiration to her.

-It's lovely here.

-The tree is marvellous too...

-..the old yew.

-You can imagine seeing fairies.

-Nansi believed in fairies.

-Did she?

-Did she?

-

-Yes.

-# Take me back

-# To Montgomeryshire

-# The journey

-# Isn't long

-# My soul

-# Is already there

-# Preparing

-# For the journey's end

-# The breath of her land

-# Is within me

-# The paths

-# Await my footsteps

-# My name

-# Was written in the register

-# Before

-# I took my first steps

-# My grave

-# In Pennant Melangell

-# Will be five feet

-and one inch long

-# The grouse and pheasant

-# Will come to my side

-# And so will the shy moorhen

-# And I'll know for sure

-# When the time comes

-# I won't sleep

-# Too soundly

-# I'll hear

-# Nant Ewyn stream singing

-# Her solo

-# To the Blaen Cwm waterfall

-# The graveyard in Pennant Melangell

-# Is a sonnet

-# You can't put a sonnet on a map

-# If you walk there

-# My love

-# Remember to take off your cap

-# Remember

-# To take off

-# Your cap #

-NANSI RICHARDS,

-HARPIST OF MONTGOMERYSHIRE

-Coming up, Sian tries to control men

-who should know better...

-..I reveal our classical duet...

-..and a family duet

-in a special location.

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-Sian's home is

-near the village of Llanerfyl.

-We joined a group

-of middle-aged men in a car park.

-This wayward looking crowd

-is Cut Lloi.

-Only one woman

-can keep them in check.

-# I can see before me

-# Beloved Wales

-# My homeland #

-We appreciate her talent.

-She sings better than ever now.

-We're so lucky she came home...

-..to share her talent.

-She could have gone to London.

-But she's here with us

-in the Banwy Valley.

-It was a miracle

-that she took us on 12 years ago.

-Would you say Sian is laid back?

-She has to be, with us.

-She wouldn't have lasted 12 years.

-# Towards the cottage

-# On the hill #

-Second verse?

-Not bad.

-Have you heard that one before?

-No.

-No.

-

-Come and sing with the tenors.

-They're good tenors.

-Can I sit here?

-Can I sit here?

-

-Give us a solo first!

-An audition.

-We'll do the first and last verse.

-# I can see before me

-# Beloved Wales

-# My homeland

-# Treasured place

-# Where I was born

-# Here's the parish church

-# And my father's grave

-# The river murmurs

-# As it meanders

-# To the lake

-# I walk along its shores

-# Towards the cottage

-# On the hill

-# I walk along its shores

-# Towards the cottage

-# Towards the cottage

-# On the hill #

-Can he join us?

-Can he join us?

-

-Ten out of ten.

-We meet every Wednesday at 8.00pm.

-When do you start?

-Nine.

-Thanks for letting me sit in.

-They are good lads.

-Yes, great lads!

-They're great, and a tonic.

-And good voices.

-And good voices.

-

-Yes.

-Gwyn Erfyl described them

-as the voices of the earth.

-It's getting dark outside.

-Pack up and go home for a cuppa.

-We left Llanerfyl

-and headed to the studio...

-..to work on a duet I chose.

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave #

-When I heard it was

-Caccini's Ave Maria...

-..I went on Spotify

-to listen to various versions.

-"OK!" I thought. Then I thought,

-"No, It'll be great".

-It's a lovely arrangement.

-Singing with Rhys Meirion

-is just fantastic!

-# A

-# A #

-I forgot the "ve".

-I only have to remember two words!

-When I had singing lessons

-in college...

-..I considered going on

-to do classical music.

-But I took the folk path.

-It's a fantastic opportunity

-to do something...

-..I have to be careful what I say...

-..to do something more classical.

-Ave Maria was shaping up.

-Gregynog Hall was the next stop.

-Sian came here for Welsh Folk-Song

-Society conferences...

-..to learn

-and pass on the tradition.

-# That's the house, and the barn #

-We're here

-for your solo performance, Y Glomen.

-What is the story behind it?

-I heard Mered singing Y Glomen

-years ago...

-..in a folk song conference.

-Mered and Phyllis

-were an integral part of it.

-I remember Mered singing it.

-I was mesmerised.

-# Above my head

-# I heard a dove

-# Singing sadly

-# "Oh, what should I do?

-# "Where is my beloved?" #

-It's a wonderful melody.

-I had never sung it.

-This is an arrangement

-for a harp and guitar.

-I'm sure it's nice

-to have Mabon playing with you.

-Yes, it is.

-Mabs and I have performed together

-a number of times last year.

-It's been so nice

-to have him by my side.

-The stage can be a lonely place.

-Yes.

-The electric guitar...

-..gives it a youthful feel.

-Cool!

-Yes!

-You're in the library.

-I'll ask you about your mother

-while she isn't here.

-Be positive, remember!

-How would you describe her?

-She's been my hero from the start.

-She has influenced everything

-I've ever done musically.

-You're performing with her today...

-..and you've done gigs with her.

-That must be an experience.

-Yes. I love doing it.

-I do get nervous.

-She's been doing it for years.

-I just strum the guitar.

-You do more than that,

-I've heard you!

-The Dove

-# One fine day

-# While I was walking

-# Near the woodlands

-# At my leisure

-# Above my head

-# I heard a dove

-# Singing sadly

-# "Oh, what should I do?

-# "Where is my beloved?"

-# I took a step nearer

-# So I could listen

-# What was the song

-# That she was singing?

-# I took a step nearer

-# And asked her

-# "Pretty love

-# "Gentlest of souls

-# "What is the matter?"

-# "A great sorrow

-# "Fills my heart

-# "Remembering the pain

-# "And the hurt I felt

-# "Remembering him

-# "And his soothing words

-# "My poor heart

-# "Will never heal

-# "It has broken in two"

-# Oh

-# Oh

-# Oh

-# Oh #

-Coming up, Sian swaps the tranquil

-countryside for the city.

-What is her connection

-to this place?

-And we sing Caccini's Ave Maria.

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-Sian and I visited Montgomeryshire

-and Banwy Valley's hidden treasures.

-The song "Distaw"

-speaks of the calm after the storm.

-It doesn't mean

-her life is always calm.

-I'm going to Cardiff to work

-on the drama series, Byw Celwydd.

-It's nice to go back to acting.

-I haven't done it for many years.

-I'm enjoying being involved

-with that world, for a change.

-# A bottomless pit

-# I'm tired #

-She is Elinor in Byw Celwydd.

-The political drama

-is based in Cardiff Bay.

-This is familiar territory

-for you.

-Do you enjoy portraying

-Elinor on Byw Celwydd?

-Yes, I do enjoy playing

-Elinor Llywelyn.

-She puts up with a lot!

-How could you?

-And without an ounce of shame

-or a hint of guilt.

-How could you?

-None of this would've happened

-if you were there.

-I remember now.

-You're the Prime Minister.

-It's nice to work on a TV drama.

-It's been a privilege.

-You've had good parts.

-I told Elan and Erin, my daughters,

-I was doing this with you.

-I showed them your photo.

-"She's the psycho!" they said.

-You wouldn't believe how many

-young people remember "Tylluan Wen".

-It's in the curriculum.

-People always joke about it.

-"Don't throw your harp!"

-Hey, come on!

-You're mad.

-# A

-# Men

-I'll need to take

-a deep breath at the end.

-Hey, great.

-It's lovely.

-This is my choice.

-You took me out of my comfort zone.

-I'll take you out of your comfort

-zone! Don't change your voice.

-Ave Maria is so exposed.

-I have to be note perfect.

-That was a challenge.

-But then again,

-I've had a singing lesson with Rhys.

-Fantastic! It's brilliant!

-When you sing "Ave"...

-..put the "v" on the D.

-Ah, right.

-# Ave #

-It's a big jump.

-# Ave #

-We've had another good day.

-The song came to me

-while I listened to Sian's record.

-It has turned out

-exactly as I'd hoped.

-She has a unique voice.

-# Ave #

-During rehearsals, I noticed

-how much emotional energy...

-..Sian puts in every performance.

-# Maria #

-It's strange.

-As a singer...

-..you want to open out

-in the performance.

-You want the emotions

-in your singing.

-There's a border.

-Challenging things

-that happen in life...

-..can go in the performance.

-In a way, it can be positive.

-It can also be challenging.

-If I'm close to the edge,

-emotionally...

-..where I really feel it...

-..I start to break down

-and can't sing.

-I can't do it physically.

-Performing, singing and composing...

-..are all parts

-of Sian's personality.

-Despite the city's appeal,

-it's obvious where her heart is.

-I think I have

-a contradictory personality.

-I enjoy the city.

-But I like going back

-to Montgomeryshire...

-..to the peace and quiet.

-Nain and Taid lived in Gardden...

-..where we now live.

-After they retired...

-..they sat either side

-of the Rayburn.

-They kept the fire going

-all year round.

-There was a silence there.

-They hardly spoke.

-It was so tranquil.

-When I came home from university...

-..I'd go straight

-to see Nain and Taid.

-Once I was through the gate...

-..everything fell into place.

-Whatever else happened in my life...

-..being in Gardden

-settled everything.

-I remember that vividly.

-It's still there, within me.

-I'm lucky.

-It was a pleasure

-to have your company.

-I've enjoyed every minute.

-It was a privilege to sing with you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you, Rhys.

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Ave

-# Maria

-# Amen #

-S4C Subtitles by Gwead

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