Bill Ryder-Jones – lechyd Da

"Iechyd Da" is the fifth studio album by Bill Ryder Jones. It was recorded over the last few years at Bill's West Kirby Yawn Studio. Bill deals with lost love, grief and his personal demons on "Iechyd Da".

The 13 tracks range from the tender Gal Costa-sampling "I Know That It's Like This (Baby)" to the expansive downbeat soundscape of "...And The Sea..." to the massive orchestral explosion of "This Can't Go On". Enveloped by string arrangements and exuberant vocal interludes from the Bidston Avenue Primary School choir, this is an album that exudes an overwhelming sense of hope, but also a determination that things can and will get better.

With his love of Welsh music (including Gorky's Zygotic Mynci & Super Furry Animals) and the proximity of The Wirral peninsula to the Welsh border, Bill was already a Cambrophile (A lover of Wales or Welsh culture). But his passion for Cymru deepened when he discovered his family's lost Welsh roots, prompting him to take Welsh lessons and eventually leading to the album title. Literally translated, "iechyd da" means "good health" and is the Welsh expression used to toast something.