Review: The Music of Gwydion

The Music of Gwydion (Songs for the Old Religion and The Fäerie Shaman) by Gwydion Pendderwen. © 2005 Serpentine Music Productions. Double Audio CD. Goddess/Wicca. 28 Tracks. Total Time: 54:19.

While not the first ever recorded pagan music, Gwydion Pendderwen (1946-1982) certainly made an impression on many, including his initiators Victor and Cora Anderson, with whom he helped write most of the liturgy within the Færie Tradition of Witchcraft. Influenced heavily by Robert Graves' theories on the Poet as Sacred King and later by the archetype of the Green Man, the enchantment of the Craft ran deep within his veins.

Songs for the Old Religion starts out sprightly with a fantastic Craft creation song and continues this gaiety, taking a calmer turn on track five, 'On Lady Day' and back upbeat with 'The Wintry Queen'. My favorite is 'Lughnasad Dance,' a brilliantly, sprightly tune that makes you want to dance within the golden fields at harvest, same with 'Harvest Dance.'

While Songs for the Old Religion (1970s) sings to us the changes of the seasons and its deities, The Fäerie Shaman (1981) beckons us to hear a much more personal side of its performer. With songs like 'We Won't Wait Any Longer' and 'There Will Always Be A Wales,' themes nearest to Gwydion's heart are expressed and felt deeply. My personal favorites of this album are 'I'll Be Reborn,' 'We Won't Wait Any Longer' and 'The Trees of Annwfn.'

Pendderwen was certainly a modern bard with an old soul that still makes his presence known in the pagan music available today. This is a wonderful collection and Anne Hill has certainly created a compilation that will surely continue to spread Gwydion's magic into a new generation.

Track Listings: Songs for the Old Religion

01. The Lord of the Dance

02. Lughnasad Dance

03. Spring Strathspey

04. Witches' Coven Dance

05. On Lady Day

06. The Wintry Queen

07. The Raven Is Calling

08. Beltane Wedding Dance

09. Return of the King

10. The Gungod

11. Harvest Dance

12. Cân Cerridwen

13. Witches Tune

14. Song of Mari

15. The Lady's Bransle

Track Listings: The Fäerie Shaman

01. The Raven is Calling (Air)

02. I'll Be Reborn

03. We Won't Wait Any Longer

04. There's A Home Far in the Mountains

05. A Mother's Love

06. Sweet Mama Mine

07. The Trees of Annwfn

08. The Ballad of Richard III

09. The Crone's Lullaby

10. Farewell to Ye, Mary

11. Gwrach a Gwraig (Witch and Woman)

12. There Will Always Be A Wales

13. Sometimes I Wonder