“...One of Wales’s top traditional bands, any Allan Yn Y Fan release is always eagerly awaited and five track disc Lle Arall delivers on all fronts. An exuberant new recording of live favourite "Hen Ferchetan/Coleg Y Brifysgol Abertawe" could soundtrack Bruegel, while the closing set of dance tunes will test anyone’s footwork. At the other end of the spectrum are the more reflective tracks, which employ the harp of label mate Delyth Jenkins to exquisite effect. Nowhere is the collaboration more effective than on flautists Kate Strudwick’s shimmering title track.......”
• R2 Rock'n'Reel Magazine, May/June 2010, Oz Hardwick

“...Even nowadays, it’s a sad fact that Welsh folk music tends to get overlooked with the deluge of more heavily-profiled Irish and Scottish releases under the "Celtic" tag. But Welsh band Allan Yn Y Fan have over the past few years been constant in blazing a trail for their nation, releasing a series of increasingly persuasive discs that started out with the all-instrumental Belonging and then took a giant step forward with their latest full-length CD Trosnant, a significantly assured record on which, with the addition to the ranks of vocalist Meriel Field, they expanded their already impressive musical armoury to include songs too. Now on this new five-track EP, a collaboration with harpist Delyth Jenkins, they’ve come up with a very strong and appealing sonic identity while proving beyond any doubt that the musicians are well able to cope with a goodly range of moods and emotions, from the tenderly evocative title track (a really lovely composition by the band’s flautist Kate Strudwick) to the peerless solo harp set that forms the disc’s centrepiece, all capped off by the invigorating nonsense song Hen Ferchetan and the inventive, foot-tappingly upbeat closing dance-tune medley.
There’s a lot going on instrumentally here, with fiddle, mandolin and guitar and plenty of flute and whistle in the texture underpinned by skilful bass work, and the band’s music-making is characterised by an attractively nimble gait throughout. This EP’s such an attractive proposition that you wonder why it couldn’t have been made to last three times as long.......”
• Folk and Roots, April 2010, David Kidman

“...This is a new, 5 track CD, that showcases a wonderful musical partnership between Allan Yn Y Fan and the leading Welsh Celtic harpist Delyth Jenkins. It was recorded in the Abergavenny studio of leading Welsh guitarist and producer - Dylan Fowler. If you feel in need of being transported to ‘another place,’ then this is one you should listen too.......”
• Cambria Magazine, May/June 2010

“...Welsh music had a raw deal in the Celtic boom years as Irish, Scots and even Breton and Galician musicians blazed a trail. Allan Yn Y Fan redresses that balance and their significant progress in recent years is particularly encouraging. Now, having already acquired an excellent regular singer in Meriel Field, they team up with harpist Delyth Jenkins to introduce another intriguing new element. Their roots may be in dance but on this gorgeous five track CD they consummately demonstrate the full range of their artistry, from flute player Kate Strudwick’s tender, otherworldly title tune to a bouncy new version of their stage favourite Hen Ferchetan/Coleg Y Brifysgol Abertawe which steadily builds into an irresistible romp. The collaborations with the enchanting Delyth Jenkins work especially well and this CD - which also has an unusually strong sonic quality - will appeal far beyond the Welsh border and indeed the confines of Celtic music lovers......”
• Properganda Magazine, April/May 2010, Colin Irwin

“...This mostly acoustic Welsh band reminds me both of Silly Wizard and early Capercaillie. Like those famed Scottish bands, Allan Yn Y Fan features an instrumental front line based around accordion, fiddle and woodwinds, with bouzouki, guitar, mandolin and bodhrán (with electric bass) making up their rhythm section. This Welsch outfit also features a female lead vocalist – another similarity with Capercaillie.
Trosnant includes plenty of danceable instrumentals, all well played and arranged. Overall, Allan Yn Y Fan favors a smooth ensemble sound, with no one instrumentalist ever hogging too much space. The melody lines generally feature accordion and woodwinds, accordion and fiddle, or all three playing in unison.
Lead vocalist Meriel Field favors a theatrical, almost trained style, which is different from most female “folk” singers. Although that may seem out of place in a folk band, it fits just fine here. For example, Field’s theatrical style is perfect for the exuberant “Moliannwn,” which, believe it or not, sounds like a bluegrass tune gone cabaret with a Welsh accent. The other band members join Field with fine harmonies on choruses.
Over the past year, I’ve listened to much more Welsh music and have tried to place it within the overall “Anglo-Celtic” spectrum. From what I’ve heard, Welsh music has the stateliness and grace of English roots combined with a lightness that reminds me of Irish music....”
• SingOut! Magazine, Vol.53 No.4, Summer 2010, Ken Roseman

“...You can probably guess by the title of the album and the name of the band, Allan Yn Y Fan are from the principality of Wales, and quite rightly too, proud of it! I suspect they are based in mid or South Wales, judging by the photography on the cover and inset notes. To me it looks like the Brecon Beacons. Also, the title track for the album, Trosnant ('Across the Stream') is a tune penned by Kate Strudwick when the band was staying in a cottage there rehearsing for the album.
The band is Geoff Cripps (guitar, bass guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, keyboards, djembe and backing vocals); Meriel Field (lead vocals and fiddle); Chris Jones (accordion, flute, low whistle, penny whistle, piano and backing vocals); Linda Simmonds (mandolin, octave mandola, bodhran and harmony vocals); and Kate Strudwick (flute, recorders, penny whistle and harmony vocals).
You will have to be fluent in Welsh to fully appreciate the songs, as all the vocals are sung in Welsh, but Allan Yn Y Fan is a Welsh band, so it does what it says on the tin! The only song I instantly recognised was 'Ar Hyd Y Nos' ('All through the night'). This always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, especially when I hear it sung by a Welsh male voice choir, but nevertheless the band do a fine job on it as it is softly sung by Meriel.
Overall, the material on the album is well balanced and from a musician's point of view, very well played, plus the chosen material does make the album very entertaining. I particularly like the variation of tunes from soft ballads, a Welsh lullaby, Playford tunes, and a reel. All are played well and quite danceable at tempos that will have you skipping around the kitchen! The band put me in mind of The Time Bandits from Chester.
So if you are up for some 'Cerddoriaeth Geltaidd o Cymru' ('Celtic Music from Wales') then this is an album for you......”
• Green Mman Review, Peter Massey

“...Given that leader Geoff Cripps has always had a thing about making Welsh music as well loved as that of other Celtic cousins, the third tip of the hat from his band is a huge step in the right direction. By concentrating on core Welsh material, as well as the addition of new fiddler Meriel Field, they’ve added a briskness and crispness that’s often sorely lacking in many of the journeymen releases their country men churn out. Thumbs up says I!.....”
• fRoots Magazine, Jan/Feb 2010

“...Allan Yn Y Fan have a new vocalist, Meriel Field, and for the first time the band has songs on an album. The first we hear of her is on ‘Deio I Dywyn’ where she belts out the song as though it had done her a personal affront. Next is the aforementioned ‘Lisa Lân’ which she sings as sweetly as you could wish, as she does ‘Ar Hyd Y Nos’. Hers is a voice of great flexibility that fits in perfectly with a band equally adept at getting a ceilidh on its feet as caressing an audience with gentle Welsh lullaby. With accordion, fiddle, flute, bouzouki, mandolin, whistles, guitar and keyboards at their disposal the band can turn their hand to virtually any style. They even bring a string quartet for ‘Ar Hyd Y Nos’. Playing mostly Welsh tunes, they do nick a couple of tunes for ‘Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Tune/Jump At The Sun’. If you’re looking for something different in your traditional music I heartily recommend Trosnant.....”
• R2 Rock'n'Reel Magazine, 4* Review, Nov/Dec 2009, Dai Jeffries

“...Celtic music from Wales sums this up perfectly, full of power, love and fun with a solid backbone of that old Celtic magic running through the hills and streams of Wales. A near perfect mix of tunes and songs performed with real drive by the five piece. It never gets predictable in any of it's twelve tracks...”
• Spiral Earth website, 4* Review, September 2009

“...Already acclaimed for their joyous interpretations of some of Wales’ best traditional tunes and the fine compositions of its band members, now Allan Yn Y Fan turn their attention to some of the Welsh tradition’s finest songs. With new singer/fiddle player Meriel Field, Allan Yn Y Fan now add their vocal harmonies to her exquisite lead voice. From the delicate sound of a Welsh lullaby “Si Hei Lwli Mabi” to AYYF’s distinctive interpretation of one of Wales best-loved melodies “Ar Hyd Y Nos”, each of the twelve tracks on “Trosnant” makes a profound impression. As on previous albums, the band members showcase their multi-instrumental skills throughout, and on the title track (composed by Kate Strudwick) stretch out to include a string quartet! Chris Jones (accordionist) has composed three tunes for this release including a spirited melody for the band’s caller - Ms. Gina Morgan. In summation this is the richest, most wide-ranging and complete album from this highly talented quintet....”
• System Records website, August 2009

“...EXPANSIVE CELTICSMS A five-piece Gwent-based act, Allan Yn Y Fan are known for keenly maintaining the fine Welsh instrumental tradition, but with the addition of singer/fiddle player Meriel Field they branch out into songs on this, their excellent latest album release. Lisa Lan is a thing of beauty, a sad tale of lost love that highlights the group's mastery with a lament in a wistful mood. The Tressle Bridge/Tenpenny Bit/Thunderhead set, on the other hand, blends Welsh and Irish flavours to considerable effect and adds an invigorating upward swing once it hits the latter section. True carriers of a mature and expanding Celtic style, the group are well worth checking out live or via recordings whenever possible. ....”
• Musician Magazine (For Members of Musician Union), Autumn 2009

“...SOUTH Wales' Allan yn y Fan have always had a duel identity as both a dance and a concert band. Trosnant shifts the balance. When they recruited fiddler Meriel Field, they got a bonus. She's not only an able instrumentalist: her crystal-clear voice adds songs to the AYYF repertoire for the first time. Apart from the haunting lullaby Si Hei Lwli Mabi, the songs are all old chestnuts; among them are the tragic Lisa Lan, the raucous Moliannwn and even Ar Hyd y Nos gets pulled off the shelf. On the instrumental front, John Kirkpatrick's quirky Jump at the Sun gets an airing, but generally the focus is on pan-Celtic. Rachel Dafydd Ifan is one of the Livelier dances from the Welsh repertoire, contrasting with the more stately Abergenni. A Brian McNeill reel is no bad thing and Grey Larsen's Thunderbird - once a staple for Scottish bands - gets a welcome revival. Add an Irish tune, a composition from Breton guitarist Gilles le Bigot, as well as original pieces from the bands accordionist Chris Jones and the title track, by their flautist Kate Strudwick. All in all a satisfying album that will do AYYF no harm at all....”
• TAPLAS MAGAZINE, August 2009, Keith Hudson

“...Another solid offering from this much loved, home grown quintet hailed as the best Celtic band of the 21st century. This third album is a raw hybrid of Irish and Welsh folk that utilises a smattering of outside influences to provide an edge. Worth a mention is the quirly "Jump at the sun": this English tune is amusingly tricky to pigeonhole. From sprightly innocent jigs through introspective laments to medieval style ditties, Trosnant (so named after the recording location) provides a rich musical journey....”
• Buzz Magazine, 4* Review, August 2009, LG

“...Is that a voice I hear? Surely this can't be Welsh twmpath (Ceilidh - Ed.) band Allan Yn Y Fan. Since their last album Belonging, the foursome - guitarist Geoff Cripps, accordion player Chris Jones, flautist Kate Strudwick and mandolin player Linda Simmonds - have recruited singer and fiddle player Meriel Field. It's her vocal influence that's added a new variety to this album, clear and delicate on the traditional Welsh ballads Lisa Lan and Ar Hyd Y Nos, where the band is joined by a string section. To anyone who has seen the band live in the last year many of the 12 tracks here will be familiar. It's a mix of traditional Welsh jigs like the Captain Pugwash-style opener Pibdawns Gwyr / Y Gelynnen; rare Celtic gems such as the foot-tapping spring song Moliannwn; original tunes like Chris Jones' lively Castell Thomas and Kate Strudwick's haunting Trosnant. There are even a few English tunes thrown in too, namely Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Tune / Jump at thhe Sun, which is described in the sleeve notes as "Addams Family meets the Gremlins"....”
• Properganda Magazine, August 2009, Alison Stokes

“...The Welsh version of traditional music, or at least Allan Yn Y Fan's (FW#33) version of Welsh music, is the sun permeating through the bleak British weather, even on a sad subject such as "Lisa Lan", and if it's for the comment no hope of a second chance with this Lisa, she dies even before the song starts. The spring song "Moliannwn" has musical loans of "All Around My Hat". "Ar Hyd Y Nos" (All Through the Night) is one of the first songs from the British Isles I ever encountered, I first saw it decades ago in one of my parents' school books. Newbridge's Allan Yn Y Fan features Chris Jones (accordion, flute), Linda Simmonds (mandolin), Geoff Cripps (guitar), Kate Strudwick (flute), and - for the very first time in the band's history - a singer, Meriel Field, who also plays the fiddle. So Allan Yn Y Fan manages to add another dimension to their already splendid work....”
• Folk World, July 2009, Tom Keller

“...Specialists in (but in no way limited by) traditional Welsh dance music; the latest release from Gwent based quintet Allan Yn Y Fan (Out In The Van) sees them stamping their own identity on a collection of tunes from Wales and beyond. Widely travelled, they constantly reference and add elements of the music they encounter to create a varied and enjoyable mix of traditional tunes and band compositions that, although it remains firmly rooted in the Welsh tradition, is also healthily outward looking. The band displays a healthy disregard for the vagaries of fashion - they admit that their ‘Celtic Moods’ version of the jig ‘The Road To Lisdoonvarna’ is as cheesy as it gets - and of their critics; their previous album drew accusations of 'creeping Hibernianism' and they’ve responded (to their immense credit) with a set of three Irish polkas that they’ve titled ‘Galloping Hibernianism’. It’s this open mindedness, together with a genuine sense that they are really having a ball, which makes this such an enjoyable listen and whether they’re pulling out all the stops as on the ‘Morgan Rhatlar/Lacken House’ set or coming over all introspective with Kate Strudwick’s haunting ‘Girl On A Rock’, they display a refreshing honesty and a real passion for their music....”
• Rock 'n Reel, June 2007, Dave Haslam

“...We paid our first visit to Ireland in 1996, remembers Welsh band Allan Yn Y Fan, which resulted in us believing that our Welsh music could stand up and be counted alongside the better known Irish tradition. Accordingly, five-piece band Allan Yn Y Fan formed in the Gwent town of Newbridge with the intention of bringing traditional and folk music to modern audiences. Their second album "Belonging" features traditional Welsh tunes, their own, some Shetland tunes, and an Irish polka set called "Galloping Hibernianism". Indeed, Allan Yn Y Fan might easily be accused of the creeping hibernianism prevalent in Gwent. The sound reminds me a lot of Irish bands. But who cares when the music is brilliant. One of the original tunes is a klezmerized waltz written for a German hostelry when Allan Yn Y Fan was touring the country. The Welsh town of Caerphilly is twinned with Ludwigsburg, and they met German folk band Die Geyers who wrote the tune "Allan Yn Y Fan" for them. Geoff returned the compliment with the tune "Gorymdaith y Geyers". It might turn out that Allan Yn Y Fan soon also may be accused of creeping teutonism. However, I said it before, if it's brilliant....”
• Folk World, May 2007, Tom Keller

“...This likeable cosmopolitan album contains instrumental folk dance music of a Welsh internationalist flavour. Aptly named Allan Yn Y Fan (Out in the Van), they’ve toured all over Wales, Ireland, Brittany, Germany, and absorbed the music of these places into their own distinctive style and repertoire. The band don’t like being told what they can or can’t play. After their local South Wales media accused them of "creeping Hibernianism", the band promptly created the most Irish set they could, and called it Galloping Hibernianism! The band plays Shetland tunes Spootoskerry/Willafjord with wit and a sense of fun. They attack the well-known Welsh tune Hen Ferchetan with restless gusto, and they give a wild Russian makeover to what was previously an innocuous Welsh dance tune, Coleg Brifysgol Abertawe. I especially recommend the rollicking dance set Morgan Rhatlar/Lacken House: the first tune is Welsh, the second an Irish-sounding composition by Chris. This red bull of a dance set deserves to be adopted by folk dance bands everywhere. The band’s own compositions are a major feature of the album. Kate’s Girl On A Rock is an elegant, plaintive, stately tune for fiddle and recorder, while the use of clarinet and mandolin in her composition Amazing Grapes gives this waltz an attractive Kletzmer texture. Gorymdaith Y Geyers was composed by Geoff for the German medieval-rock band The Geyers and the electric keyboards give the tune a Mike Oldfield quality that is no doubt still popular in Germany. Not every single track is to my taste, however, the electric keyboard comes over all 1980s New Romantic on Road To Lisdoonvarna. But if you want a great wedding band, book these guys. They do fun, they do frenetic, they do slow romantic. They probably do Bar Mitzvahs too...”
• FROOTS MAGAZINE, November 2006, Paul Matheson

“...Another of Steam Pie Records' releases is the latest album by Caerffili based folk group Allan Yn Y Fan. Entitled Belonging it's a collection of lively folk tunes from Wales and beyond, as well as original compositions by various band members. I especially liked the collaboration with the Geyers of Ludwigsburg, a town twinned with Caerffili, and the band's tribute to the most important meal of the day on "Brenhines Y Brecwast/Tywysog y Brecwast" (Queen and Prince of the Breakfast!)...”
• PLANET MAGAZINE, October 2006, Iwan Llwyd

“...Episode 2 in the history of one of Wales' foremost twmpath bands, Belonging consolidates Allan Yn Y Fan's rhythmic, no-nonsense approach to Welsh dance music, from the jollyjig/hornpipe/polka set Trip I'r Gogledd that opens, through to the catchy reworking of the old song Hen Ferchetan. Much of the material is drawn from Robin Huw Bowen's pocket-book collections and Cadw Twmpath, but there is new, maturely-composed home-spun material here too. Particularly impressive are three waltz interludes written by various band members, notably Geoff Cripps' haunting, keyboard-led Mlle. Eliane Price. Whilst fiddle and piano accordion regularly fill gaps in the shedfuls of driving mandolin/mandola backing, it's often whistle and flute that come out atop the mix. There are also electrical strands woven through this tapestry and the fine blend of acoustic woodwind with keyboard electronics on Emma Trend's Postman is particularly effective. Credit is due throughout to Dylan Fowler for skilful engineering and co-production. I'm honoured that the term "creeping hibernianism", I jokingly applied to the band's debut CD has fostered the title Galloping Hibernianism for a trilogy of Kerry polkas that fairly rattles along, led by unison whistles and flute. And Chris Jones has spent long enough over the water to be able to compose Lacken House, a cracking slide. The last trick in AYYF's Hibernian canon is the regulation of the reel Road to Lisdoonvarna to the pace of a slow air - a tasteful closer...”
• TAPLAS MAGAZINE, October 2006, Mike Greenwood

“...Having recently received the promo of Belonging for 100.7 Highlands FM, I can say it is great to have a “Celtic” band of Welsh origin. The album, Belonging, can stand alongside many of its peers’ releases and has elements of World music infused into it too.The band plays tightly and the use of traditional instruments adds to the overall sound.An album to be heard!...”
• Tony Bates, 100.7 Highland FM (Maldon, Victoria, Australia), July 2006

“...Spirited, cheery and creative Celtic trad, with a couple of romantic interludes, on the second album from the top Welsh twmpath band....”
• Radio 2, Folk and Acoustic, July 2006

“...Hearty congratulations too on the CD, with such nice variety, wonderful arrangements, and good 'bounce'! I was very impressed (being the old trad. fogey that I am!) with the very subtle, suitable, and sensitive use of the synth. Well done! (Really nice design too.)....”
• Robin Huw Bowen, July 2006

“...This first recording by Allan Yn Y Fan is a varied selection of mostly Welsh traditional instrumental music with some Irish and original tunes mixed in, as well. The arrangements and pace are nicely varied, with a mix of accordion, flutes, mandolin, fiddle, whistle and keyboards. Standout sets include "B De B/Bear Dance", on which the use of recorder gives the piece a medieval feel, and the closing tunes learned from the Battlefield Band that brings things to a rousing close. Welsh traditional music has a sound all its own, and this is as good an introduction to the music as I've heard. Recommended...”
• DIRTY LINEN MAGAZINE, February 2005, Jim Lee

“...Off The Map is an instrumental set, based around the basic tenets of Celtic trad songwriting, but which swings pleasingly from slow-moving to fast-paced, danceable tunes....A range of instruments is employed which create an array of moving songs which continually surprise with new sounds and moods...”
• SOUND NATION REVIEW, February 2004

“...Since the pioneering spirit shown by Welsh band Ar Log back in the 70s there has been a gradual rise in the interest in Welsh music with several fine bands emerging over the years. However, it has been more of a trickle than the deluge provided by their Celtic counterparts Ireland and Scotland. Here to restore the balance a little are Allan Yn Y Fan, a cracking young Welsh band whose wholly instrumental album provides a solid base from which to advance their ambitions in the future. They are a five-piece, two lads and three lasses, who play an abundance of acoustic instruments, whose strength lies both in their instrumental ability and in their arrangements of the tunes which are first class....”
• FOLK ON TAP, January 2004

“...Jolly offering from dedicated southern Welsh instrumental crew under the guidance of Geoff Cripps, whose tumbling, sensitive keyboards set the tone with Pibddawns Na Nog. Sensitive production from Dylan Fowler and skilful playing, especially Emma Trend on fiddle, adds to the appeal...”
• FROOTS MAGAZINE, October 2003

“...This mix of high-energy reels with slow airs and waltzes from Gwent’s twmpath favourites makes for a satisfying debut. With an orchestral battery of flutes, whistles, strings, accordion and keyboards to hand, they largely avoid the temptation to throw everything into the mix. Allan Yn Y Fan are openly honest about any Irish leanings and their bold experiment of playing Humours of Whiskey and The Butterfly simultaneously is a delightful success...”
• TAPLAS MAGAZINE, September 2003, Mike Greenwood

Catch a Celtic Gem
“...One of the best Celtic bands in Wales. The rich sound is created by the band of five all of whom are multi-instrumentalists. They are clearly comfortable in each other’s musical company as the tracks of Off The Map sing with an appreciation of the ages. It’s stirring stuff and anyone who has five minutes for folk music and South Wales should order a copy now. The sense of place is overwhelming and it feels like even the dead of the towns should come out and see Allan Yn Y Fan when they pass by...”
• SOUTH WALES ARGUS NEWSPAPER, September 2003, Matthew Blythe

“...The Welsh have been the poor relations of the Celtic scene, but this debut album goes beyond novelty. With a mix of flute, accordion, mandolin, fiddle and guitar they play plenty of their own tunes, with a full sound and an unhurried approach. Theirs is a traditional style that’s reassuringly rooted in a lost age...”
• MOJO MAGAZINE, 3* Review, August 2003, Colin Irwin