Meic Stevens

Other than a note that all of these tracks were written and recorded in 1968 and 1969 by Meic Stevens, no concrete details as to what purpose this material was recorded for are included in the otherwise detailed liners to this limited-edition LP. As only Stevens and a guitar (sometimes an electric one) are heard on these tracks, as an educated guess these might have been demos to be considered for fuller studio treatment. It thus might not be the fairest context in which to judge the Welsh singer/songwriter, particularly for those hearing him for the first time (which, in the case of the audience for this reissue, might include quite a few '60s psych/folk collectors who aren't from Wales). As for what's here, though, it's a pleasant, sometimes edgy and brooding, mix of fey, late-'60s British folk with some hippie psychedelic overtones. A less foreboding Roy Harper might be a useful benchmark, though Stevens doesn't sound a great deal like Harper. He too, however, has adventurous and somewhat rambling melodies, with a somber undercurrent of muted anguish that isn't always that clearly articulated. At its best, as on the title track and "Sing a Song of Sadness," it's nicely atmospheric, but these songs aren't as remarkable or haunting as those of the best British performers in this style. Two of the songs are in Welsh, the remainder in English. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide