In combination with the Dawson-Davies Hen Ogledd CD release, Streamline is
glad to present the first-ever CD issue of Bronze, the second Hen Ogledd album,
originally released in 2016 as a small edition LP pressing on the Alt.vinyl label. At
first considered an unlikely meeting of the minds of singer/painter/guitarist Richard Dawson and reductionist, free improvising Welsh harpist Rhodri Davies,
Hen Ogledd reappear as a trio this time including the talent of Dawn Bothwell
(voice and electronics). As unusual as the sounds contained in these recordings
is the development the band has taken, from the abrasive amped directness of
the first album to this avant-folk excursion evoking both ancient and contemporary qualities. These six hypnotic pieces of distorted improvised folklore-ranging
from archaic, electrified stomping pulses to the floaty sounds of echoed harp and
guitar strings and fragile, ghostly vocal choruses-represent an important step
in the development of one of Britain's most unusual and unpredictable outfits as
well as a singular completely unique musical expression.
Hen Ogledd's Bronze has been remastered for CD from the original source recordings by Jim O'Rourke and is presented in mini-LP sleeves replicating the
original LP artwork.
