Sharron Kraus — Hen Llan Recordings
The release sees Sharron once again working with harpist Harriet Earis- who she last worked with in 2013 on the excellent Winter Songs / Caneuon y Gaeaf, which offered up the pairs warming yet earthy renditions of carols, winter songs and seasonal songs. For this release the pair offer-up four moody, melodic and charming slices of instrumental folk.
The release takes it’s name from were the tracks were recording Hen Llan- which is seemingly a retreat in the North Wales countryside. So fittingly all the tracks here have quite a restful, peaceful, crystalline yet atmospheric moody feel to them. The tracks blend together acoustic guitar, flute, very minimal vocal backing, and of course harp. And each track is centred around a rich & earthly melody line, with the tracks pace mainly staying fairly upbeat. With the pair playing together which such warming flare, and earthy depth
Like much of Sharron’s recent work theses recordings wonderful capture the ragged beauty, mystery, and wonder of the welsh countryside. If I had one criticism is it just felt over too quick, leaving me wanting say another four tracks of similar work, but I guess it’s better to left wanting more than wanting less.
All in all it’s great to hear Sharron working with Harriet again, and let’s hope there is more work in the pipe-line. If you enjoy melodic, atmospheric instrumental, earthy yet crystalline folk this is a must!.