In 1999, the first elected Welsh National Assembly for 600 years came into being, heralding the start of a triumphant new era in their history. Their culture, as personified by the great red dragon on the Welsh flag, has prevailed over vigorous political repression and dour, fundamentalist Christian doctrines. Modern musical revivalists were left with only a few threads of oral tradition to build on and had to comb the countryside and pore over books and manuscripts to restore their birthright. The present climate of nationalism and the resurgent Welsh tongue have inspired new generations of outspoken singer-composers to pick up where their ancestors left off, and then some.
Welsh music is drenched in long-breathed, poignant melody and precise harmonies.
Although labels outside of Wales have licensed some choice material, most of the best recordings are to be found on such independent imprints such as the Caernarfon-based Sain , where the cover notes are often written in Welsh, although English translations and explanatory essays are sometimes provided in the liner notes. This can make choosing which albums to purchase a daunting experience. Incidentally, recordings that are partly, or even completely, sung in English should not be dismissed out of hand. As in Ireland and Scotland, and especially in Cornwall, many old and perfectly authentic Welsh folkways were originally created and have continued to develop in that language. A look at the instrumental forces in play on a particular recording can supply further clues.