About Black Mountain

RYAN

Black Mountain is a Recording and Artist Management Company based in Swansea, South Wales. Its roots go back to the early 1970’s when the Welsh entertainment icon, Ryan Davies and his Personal Manager, Mike Evans formed the Company for Ryan’s own work. Its first album release was ‘Ryan at the Rank’ which became a ‘must’ for literally every Welshman’s record collection!

Even following Ryan’s untimely death in 1977, Black Mountain has continued to highlight his many & varied talents through various releases and to pay tribute to a wonderful professional, whose versatility the likes of which Wales is unlikely ever to see again. This website will bring together many tributes and memories of the late, great Ryan.

RECORDS

As a record label, Black Mountain in its 30 years has probably recorded more Welsh Choirs than any other company together with over 25
1000 Voice events at the Royal Albert Hall. The musical camaraderie which exists amongst these groups is overwhelming and many good friends have been made during this time. We feel privileged to have been involved in one of Wales’ greatest traditions and the best works are being brought together in our CD series of discs ‘THE GREAT WELSH CHORAL COLLECTION’

RECORDING

With a specialist sound department led by Geoff Atkins, one of Wales’ foremost recording engineers, the Company’s mobile recording studio was much in demand across the U.K from TV, Radio & Record Companies. Memorable recordings include:

• Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (EMI)
• The Three Tenors ((Classic FM)
• Glyndebourne Festival Opera (BBC Radio Three)
• Songs of Praise (BBC TV)
• Aled Jones (Virgin Records)
• Many series of ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’ (BBC Radio Four)!!
• Plus countless other productions.

BLACK MOUNTAIN CHORUS

To introduce a younger generation to the vehicle of Male Voice Singing (and where have you heard that stated recently?!). In 1997, the Black Mountain Male Chorus of Wales was formed. With an average age of only 25, it was certainly the first large-scale, semi-professional, young Chorus which indeed laid the foundations for other groups.
 In its relatively short history, the group has:

• Appeared & recorded with artistes such as Dame Shirley Bassey & Bryn Terfel

             (Bryn kindly consented to become the groups’ Patron.)

• Was actually more well-known in the U.S.A., than in its home country, and it performed over 200 Concerts in 44 States. The Chorus  travelled over 65,000 miles in mainland U.S.A. – and all in a Bus!!
• This achievement has been recognised by the Wales Tourist Board in granting its Marketing Wales Award.

A NEW ‘CELTIC WELSH’  LABEL

The term ‘Celtic’, although it applies to several countries, has been slightly ‘commandeered’ by the Emerald Isle, especially with its music in the U.S.  With a view to reminding people of the contribution of contemporary Welsh music, Black Mountain has created a new Celtic Welsh label. Its first release is planned for early 2010 with a new vocal harmony group called RHIANNON.

RHIANNON is made up of 8 attractive, talented singers whose style will reflect Wales’ musical heritage in a contemporary, ‘chillout’ mood with musical arrangements by some of the best musicians in the Principality. Other artists are being recruited.