Personnel: Charlotte Church (vocals); Meinir Huelyn (harp); Welsh National Opera Orchestra And Chorus.

Engineers: Charles Harbutt, Mike Ross-Trevor.

Recorded at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Wales from July 12-13, 1998 and at BBC Recording Studio, Cariff, Wales from August 17-22, 1998. Includes liner notes by James Marsh.

The people of Wales love their singing and their singers, so much so that when one of their own--be it Tom Jones, Gwyneth Jones or Bryn Terfel--makes good they are treated as national heroes. The Welsh also like to sing together, forming choruses of every description, such as the ten thousand voice World Choir, and they particularly like singing contests so that they can sing together and find more singers to celebrate.

Charlotte Church started winning contests at the age of eight and came to national attention by appearing on a television talent show. After making the talk show rounds she was brought to the attention of Sony and this CD, recorded when she was twelve, followed. Her voice has some womanly qualities, but this is still very much a child's voice without the manner of a trained singer. Her natural approach brings a different dimension to much of this material and is heard to best advantage in a selection of harp-accompanied Welsh traditional songs.