O'r Mabinogi

Named after the Celtic goddess of inspiration, the duo of Renée Gray and Andrew Fryer that is Ceredwen debuts with a CD that is at once energetic, introspective, and ethereal. Inspired by the mabinogi or oral stories passed down from ancient Celtic tribes, Ceredwen interestingly mesh the modern sounds of keyboards, drum machines, and heavily processed vocals with piano, pennywhistle, and percussion to bring forth a unique, rhythmic brand of Celtic music. Gray sings in Welsh, which gives the songs a timeless flavor, though on some tunes ("Fel Yr Eira" or "Like the Snow") the heavy effects detract from her pretty voice. There are also a few songs that take a little too long in getting going, but overall the album will well please fans of Enigma or modern Celtic music. --Karen Karleski

Enigma and Enya fans will flip for this fantastic marriage of breathy vocals, upbeat rhythms and entrancing airs from the Gaelic singing duo Ceredwen... --New Age Retailer

Enya and Loreena McKennitt fans - be alert!... Ô'r Mabinogi is full of enchanting vocals, infectious rhythms and sparkling instrumental work. Many of the songs are uptempo with a myriad of percussion and rhythms - some may even entice you to get up and dance...This is a release brimming over with originality and musical daring. --Bill Binkelman, Wind and Wire

Each night in great halls up and down the land, storytellers recounted the heroic deeds of their Celtic kings and queens. Seeming themselves to step between this world and the Celtic Otherworld, Ceredwen has masterfully crafted the Mabinogi into a hauntingly familiar musical journey. Welsh voice and Enigma-like ancient musical threads, Ceredwen lifts the veil of the Mabinogi.

Ceredwen (kr-ED-win) is comprised of the duo Renèe Gray and Andrew Fryer. The name comes from the Celtic goddess of inspiration and legendary mother of Taliesin, King Arthur's bard and 'Keeper of the Cauldron.' Renèe Gray was born in a small village in South Wales and brought up in Brynaman, a village at the foot of the Black Mountains. Welsh is Renèe's first language and all of her family speak it. Born into a family steeped in the arts and encouraged to sing and perform, Renèe learned to play piano and guitar and has competed since the age of five in local and National Welsh Eisteddfod. She was educated at Aberystwith University and for the past ten years has been a singer, guitarist and keyboard player with The Lucy's, a folk-rock band performing Welsh, Irish and English folk songs and tunes. Andrew Fryer comes from a distinguished English lineage with ancestors who include de Bayeux, arriving in Britain in 1066 and Knight at the court of 'William the Conqueror' and Edward Juby, an actor in William Shakespeare's company at the Globe Theatre in London around 1600. Andrew's grandfather, Arthur Juby, is a member of the 'Ancient Order of Druids,' Keeper of the Clock (Big Ben) at the Palace of Westminster, London. His immediate family includes members of the British Magical Society, the medical profession and the priesthood. Andrew attended Ipswich School (founded by Cardinal Wolsey, adviser to Henry VIII) and studied music with applied physics at Surrey University. He formed a folk band when he was thirteen and has been involved in music ever since. Andrew has worked as an independent record producer, written theme music for World Service and BBC Radio and is currently a songwriter for Warner Chappell Music in London.