 |
 |
|
Best of Welsh Comedy
If one mentions Wales and comedy, there is normally someone who invariable feels compelled to tell a sheep joke - and, interestingly, it’s not a normally a Welshman! How this country with a population of 13 million (that’s 3 million people & 10 million sheep – really!) has become the butt of many a sheep joke, goodness only knows? Sheep, for the record, were introduced 6,000 years ago into Wales, so that means that the sheep jokes have been around for at least 5,999 years. So before I formally introduce this comedy compilation release, let me give you a note of reassurance (especially to my Welsh compatriots):
IN PURCHASING THIS RELEASE, YOU ARE ASSSURED THAT THIS IS CD IS DEVOID OF ANY SHEEP JOKES IN THE NEXT 70 MINUTES.
The Welsh, apparently (or so we are regularly told) are very good at laughing at themselves – although we do draw the line at sheep gags*!
Comedy is a very complex business and an art form to which I have always had the highest regard of its purveyors. It is very akin to having someone standing in front of you holding a mirror and reflecting all your idiosyncrasies. And they, of course, vary depending on who is ‘holding the mirror’ and the degrees of their reflection. And for this compilation, we have five very different comedic views!
The first from an all-round entertainer and probably the most versatile artist Wales will have ever known – Ryan. An actor, singer, songwriter, musician......and comedian, he was immensely popular in the ‘70’s but his talent was tragically cut short. Still over 35 years on, his performances on disc & TV are still very popular.
Then onto an educationalist, who coined the term ‘Wenglish’, when investigating the particular way ‘Valleys Welsh & English’ is spoken – John Edwards. A teacher for many years around the country, who returned to the Rhondda Valleys as the Officer for Spoken English.
‘It’s what they do say, isn’t it?’ is his oft-quoted remark.
Then there is the very personal view of valleys' life from the Broadcaster
(educationalist & raconteur)Roy Noble. For many years, he has given the nation a daily dose of this prescribed view straight into their homes on his BBC Radio Wales programme. He has, literally, become the ‘Housewife's Choice'!The cabaret circuit has always been very prevalent in Wales and the undisputed King is Colin Price. He served his apprenticeship in the '70's hit TV series "The Comedians" and has 'plied his trade' across the country wherever there is an audience than needs entertaining. He has just completed a Tour with the Welsh rugby ‘visionary’ - Max Boyce.
And finally, what can you say about the final Welsh icon?
Maldwyn Novello Pugh -a living legend (albeit in his own lunchtime!), bon viveur, boutique owner, always looking after his ‘mam’ and star of the fabulous BBC TV film "Grand Slam".
This fame has allowed him to expand his consultancy business as a Life Coach to everyone from the Welsh rugby team, the Welsh Ice Hockey Team to even Sion Probert?! (Who? Well, everyone knows him in Cwmfelinfach!).
Mike Evans, BlackMountain
*So what do you call three sheep tied to a lamppost in Llanybothi?THE BEST OF WELSH COMEDY Vol.1.
- Ryan #1
- John Edwards
- Roy Noble
- Ryan #2
- John Edwards
- Maldwyn Novello Pugh
- Colin Price
- Ryan
- John Edwards #1
- Roy Noble
- Colin Price
- John Edwards #2
- Maldwyn Novello Pugh
- Ryan
CD: Ryan at the Rank
CD: The Best of Wenglish Vol.1
CD: I’m Here to Tell You
CD: Ryan at the Rank
CD: The Best of Wenglish Vol.2
CD: The Life & Times..
CD: Naughty...but Nice
CD: The Many Faces of...
CD: The Wenglish Stories
CD: I’m Here to Tell You
CD: Naughty...but Nice
CD: The Wenglish Stories
CD: The Life & Times....
CD: The Many Faces of....5’41”
4’45”
4’20”
5’20”
4’25”
3’47”
5’37”
6’15”
4’36”
5’42”
5’07”
4’29”
3’33”
5’14”
