Birdsong – Cân yr Adar is a collaboration between jazz pianist/composer Gwilym Simcock, singer/songwriter Kizzy Crawford and award winning orchestra Sinfonia Cymru, which fuses jazz, classical and soul-folk music through a collection of spellbinding bilingual songs inspired by the ancient forests of Carngafallt in Powys. There is a Celtic rainforest that lives and breathes in Wales. Birdsong / Cân Yr Adar tells a story through music inspired by RSPB Carngafallt, home to a complex ecosystem, which makes up some of the country’s rainforest territory and can be found near Powys.
Basho Records, 2018
Kizzy Crawford vocals, guitar
Gwilym Simcock piano
Sinfonia Cymru: Simmy Singh – Violin 1 Lucy McKay – Violin 2 Francesca Gilbert – Viola Abel Selaocoe – Cello Sarah Bennett – Flute Carys Evans – Horn
Reviews
PETER QUINN, JAZZWISE
4 STARS **** Recommended “the gorgeous melodies of Kizzy Crawford combine with the exquisite arrangements and production of Gwilym Simcock to produce one of the year’s most beautiful, surprising and joyous releases…this is a collection of songs that speak directly to the heart. Seamlessly blending the improvised with the fully notated, with plenty of space for soloing, this utterly singular statement deserves the widest possible audience.”.
SEE FULL INTERVIEW READ FULL ARTICLE
GARRY BOOTH, BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
5 STARS ***** “Birdsong is a simply beautiful concept daringly executed”.
LONDON JAZZ NEWS FEATURE
BBC RADIO 4 FRONT ROW
“absolutely magnificent” Gwilym and Kizzy Crawford appeared on Front Row on Friday 27th April.
LISTEN TO FRONT ROW
Peter Quinn, Live Review in Jazzwise
It’s a passionate and, at times, overwhelming work, a stunning achievement that is, without question, one of the albums of the year.
READ REVIEW HERE
Stunning. Sadly it seems to be ignored in Radio 3 playlists.