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It's possible that we'll be unable to access some archival collections during the next few weeks. If you'll be visiting during this period, we kindly ask that you order any archival material as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Highlights from our archives for folk, pop, rock and jazz music in Wales.
Papers of the Welsh pop group 'Y Blew', the first Welsh language pop group. Includes letters relating to their performances, 1967-1969, copies of interviews with group members, history of the establishment of Y Blew, copies of photographs and promotional material, some financial papers, 1967-1968, and a substantial file, 1978 -2001, on the interest Y Blew has received since their demise. NLW ex 2219.
Dafydd Iwan Songs, Holograph copies of lyrics to songs by Dafydd Iwan including 'Carchar' ('Mae Rhywun yn y Carchar'), 'Yr Hawl i Fyw', 'Magi Thatcher' (the first version), 'Yma o Hyd', 'Y Chwe Chant a Naw' and 'Ciosg Talysarn', Hawl i Fyw. Wyth o ganeuon Dafydd Iwan (Penygroes, 1991) and Holl Ganeuon Dafydd Iwan (Tal-y-bont, 1992). NLW ex 1935
Copies of the song 'Gwynfor' in Archif Plaid Cymru, M385.
Correspondence of Dafydd Iwan, 1965-66 and a Catalogue 'Welsh Teldisc Records Ltd', Swansea, August 1965 in Archif Plaid Cymru, M291.
Relevant papers can be found in Arts Council of Wales Records, C / 45/7. Arrangements of music - tuning, playing tapes etc. 'Ar Log' recorded for a Welsh harp exhibition in 1980-1.
Papers of Y Trwynau Coch. [1978], relating to the Welsh punk group, Y Trwynau Coch, including a contract, 1978, between the Welsh Language Society and the group to perform at Tito's nightclub in Cardiff together with the conditions, and a few cuttings from ‘Y Cymro’ relating to the group. NLW ex 2617
Super Furry Animals (Carl Clowes) Papers, 1991-2016. Papers collected by Dr Carl and Dorothy Clowes, parents of Dafydd Ieuan and Cian Ciarán, members of the Welsh Indi / Techno / psychedelic-rock group, the Super Furry Animals. Papers include newspaper cuttings of interviews, photographs along with promotional items relating to the group, as well as items on band members, and their other associated Welsh bands.
Songs in the volume Y Trên Olaf Adref, published in 1984. A collection of papers, 1982-1983, comprising songs, poetry and letters relating to the song lyrics of various Welsh groups in the late 1970s and early 1980s, compiled by Steve Eaves. NLW ex 2133
Harri Webb Papers. (1920-1994) Poet, republican, and nationalist. Papers containing the recording companies, Sain and Cambrian Recordings.
"Peintio'r Byd yn Wyrdd", Harri Webb Papers. Various miscellanies including a typescript copy of the song "Peintio'r Byd yn Wyrdd" with a note by Harri Webb stating 'from Dafydd Iwan himself'.
Five letters from Dafydd Iwan, co-director of Sain, discussing recordings of Harri Webb's poems and a script of a record for Plaid Cymru. [Welsh]
Letters of Heather Jones, 1973-1978. Mainly discussing music, the success of the record ‘The Green Desert’, and other proposed projects.
Business records of John Edwards and Welsh Teldisc Records Ltd, 1962-1976, including balance sheets, 1963-1974; sales summaries, 1963-1974; invoices and delivery notes, 1963-1972; records of stock movement, 1965-1966; records of copyright enquiries, permissions and royalties, 1963-1974; recording contracts, 1964-1967; recording log book, 1964-1970; lyrics and sleeve notes, with related correspondence, 1963-1968.
See also Tŷ Cerdd Archive, John Edwards [Welsh Teldisc Ltd Record]. - Miscellaneous papers, 1929-1989. Papers including papers relating to Welsh Teldisc including letters from Dafydd Iwan, etc….
Search the Rhys Williams fanzine collection
A collection of 16 Welsh pop music fanzines, 1982-1990.
We hold many other fanzines – search the Catalogue by title.
The Library holds many posters of gigs and concerts.
Among the most prominent poster collection currently held at The Library is that of Gwilym Tudur. It includes an extensive series of over 120 posters, which are political in nature and promote historic Welsh gigs and concerts.
Many posters have been received digitally following the #poster2020 appeal including posters designed by Meirion Wyn Jones, and from other designers and concert arrangers.
Search the Meredydd Evans and Phyllis Kinney Papers
The archive contains music research papers mainly relating to Welsh folk music, and correspondence relating to Merêd’s time as Head of light entertainment at BBC Cymru Wales from 1963 to 1973. (150 boxes)
Search the Jazz Heritage Wales Archive (Women's Archive of Wales)
Papers relating to the Women’s Jazz Archive, later the Jazz Heritage Wales Archives and its founder Professor Jen Wilson. (38 boxes)
Search the Nigel Jenkins Papers
Papers of Anglo-Welsh poet and writer Nigel Jenkins includes material relating to the musical blues group the Salubrious Rhythm Company and to the folk duo Aberjaber.
The papers of poet Menna Elfyn includes material relating to musical collaborations with John Metcalfe, Pwyll ap Sion, Andrew Powell, Helen Gwynfor, Rob Smith, David Evan Thomas and others.
Search the Urdd Gobaith Cymru accumulated photographs
Pop Groups - Welsh. [ca.1965-ca.1985] Includes 180 black and white photographs of Jim O'Rourke with musicians Dóna Lunny, Terry Williams, Davy Spillane and others who worked on the album 'Y Bont' in 1988. Also recording studios, DJs and other personalities connected with the Welsh music scene.
Pop Groups - English. 44 black and white photographs were for publicity and marketing purposes and distributed by record companies, agents etc. They were sent to the Urdd for use in their publications.
Easy listening. 35 photographs, [ca.1970-ca.1990].