The Gwalia Singers (Swansea)
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The Gwalia Singers have made a number of recordings over the years. The latest recording, Forty Years On, is available on CD (£10.00)
1. African Prayer
14. Bring Him Home
Samples can be heard by clicking on tracks 4 and/or 7. For ordering details, please contact the choir's secretary (details on the 'Contact' page).
Our previous recording, A Lighter Shade of Blue, is also still available on both CD (£10.00) and cassette (£6.00).
Samples can be heard by clicking on tracks 1 and/or 5.
Out of the Blue was issued on vinyl and cassette in 1990.
Side 1
1. What a Wonderful World Side 2
1. Fanfare 8. By Babylon's Wave
Cassette cover
A 7" single was released in 1983 in time for Christmas - When a Child is Born b/w White Christmas. This was recorded with Olchfa School Big Band and Choir, with pupil Sarah Harries performing the narration.
Side One
An LP, simply titled The Gwalia Singers, Swansea, was recorded in 1982 and released on the Black Mountain Records label.
Side 1
1. Bryn Myrddin
Side 2
1. There is nothin' like a
Dame
The sleeve notes are as follows:
Entertainment combined with quality has been the hallmark of the Gwalia Singers since their formation in 1966.
This record captures the spirit of the choir and abounds with the variety and feeling which has thrilled both national and international audiences. The spirit of friendship and belonging is vividly portrayed in the choir's performances and the old adage of "small is beautiful" is well borne out in this delightful record.
As well as being one of the busiest choirs in the Principality, the Gwalia Singers are considered amongst the best in their class by many of the experts throughout Wales. This opinion is reflected by the fact that they have gained 8 "firsts" at major Eisteddfodau in Wales since entering the competitive field 3 years ago, including the accolade of winning the Royal National Eisteddfod in 1980 at their first appearance. They have also broadcast successfully with both BBC and ITV.
This record clearly illustrates the choir's ability to perform and entertain audiences with a superb range of varied choral items. Whilst the traditional elements of Welsh choral singing is not forgotten, with such items included as "Bryn Myrddin" and that lovely Welsh folk song "Y Deryn Pur", the choir shows its versatility with special arrangements by local musicians of the Beatles' "Yesterday" and a recent No. 1 hit "Begin the Beguine". The backing arrangements for these items shows both originality and flair.
The record is aimed at maintaining the listener's interest with such contrasting items as the exciting and challenging "Three Hungarian Folk Songs" and the peacefulness of Ieuan Rees-Davies' "Close Thine Eyes". The popular musical shows are not forgotten with delightful arrangements of "Some Enchanted Evening" and "There is nothin' like a Dame" from "South Pacific", whilst the atmosphere of the choir's recent concert tour of Mannheim, West Germany is recaptured with the lilting German song "Weinland".
We are certain that the listener will be captivated by not only the quality of the choral singing but, by the firm belief within the choir, that the most important consideration for any form of entertainment is to "entertain".
Stop the Cavalry was written by Jona Lewie and his version was recorded for Stiff Records in 1980. In 1981, the Gwalia Singers teamed up with the Cory Band to record their version, which was also released by Stiff Records. The b side was a version of Paul Anka's song, The Longest Day.
Side One
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