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Join WorldBeat in exploring the new and old musical terrain of Wales. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

April 14, 2000
Web posted at: 5:31 p.m. EST (2131 GMT)

(CNN) -- England's eastern neighbor, Wales, has long been known for its strong musical tradition. But that hardly included rock 'n' roll.

"Wales has enjoyed the reputation within the British Isles for being the land of song," says local historian Don Llewellyn. "It seems that, at the drop of a hat, Welsh people want to get together and sing."

Most of that singing has been limited to choirs, underscoring the stereotype of Wales as an ancient country filled with rolling hills, mining towns and cobblestone streets.

But that image is changing. Now, a whole new crop of bands -- Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, Stereophonics -- has popped up around the country and risen to international fame.

And by recording in the Welsh capital of Cardiff, forgoing other cities in Europe or the United States, the young musicians are changing Wales' reputation from a place of stodgy old crooners to that of an up-and-coming music center.

Of course, choral hymns haven't disappeared entirely and are enjoying renewed popularity, too. Fans of that music can thank a songbird named -- appropriately enough -- Charlotte Church.