Customer Reviews

Cara Dillon

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Born and raised in Dungiven, County Derry, this is Cara's first solo album - she has released albums as part of the bands Oige and Equation. It was when she joined Equation she met the man who became her musical partner (and soon to be husband) Sam Lakeman. Together, they left the band within a year of Cara joining and started working towards this release. Recorded in Donegal and Devon, produced by Sam and released in July 2001 this album is a must-have if (i) you like music of a traditional / folk leaning or (ii) regardless of the musical style, you can appreciate a truly outstanding singing voice.

All but three of the eleven songs on the album are traditional. "Lark in the Clear Air", one of these three, is probably the album's weakest. The lyrics are brimming with so much sweetness, listening too closely to them could cause a feeling of nausea. In fairness to Cara and Sam, it wasn't penned by them - "Blue Mountain River", one of their own compositions, is a much stronger song musically and lyrically.

On the whole, though, I'd have to say I prefer the traditional songs. The album starts with what I'd consider to be the best - "Black is the Colour" and "Donald of Glencoe". However, the rest of the album is far from disappointing - the remaining tracks are all very good and would be the highlights of many other albums. "She's Like the Swallow" especially deserves an honourable mention. Like the rest of the album, it's beautifully played sung - it also has the benefit of not being a straightforward love song !

I'd say this album would be the sort of recording that would suit nicely when you've had a rotten day at work - draw the curtains, stretch out on the sofa, start listening and relax. I've never grown tired of listening to it, have never forgotten about it and still listen to regularly.

Cara has won a number of awards since the release of this album - at the Hot Press for "Best Roots Act", the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (including "Best Traditional Track" for "Black is the Colour") and Big Buzz Irish Entertainment Award for "Best Traditional Act 2003". She has been touring very heavily over the last couple of years, and if you get the chance, I would highly recommend you go and see her. You might find it hard to believe, but her voice is as strong and as pure live as it is on record.

It might also be worth pointing out that Cara's sister, Mary, provided the backing vocals for this album. Mary was the lead singer for a band called Deanta - if it turns out you like Cara's album, I'd suggest trying a few of their albums also. Mary, like Cara, has a superb voice and her bandmates were clearly very gifted musicians.

Cara Dillon is young, and she has the voice of an angel. She has an obvious appreciation for pop music, but an abiding love for her Irish traditions. And this, her self-titled debut album, blends both in a winning package.

Most of the songs on Cara's first CD are traditional pieces, arranged by Cara and producer Sam Lakeman to appeal to an audience with a love for Irish traditional ballads and modern pop. With vocals this delightfully vivid, I can only hope Cara continues to explore her traditional roots with an ear for modern arrangements.

I suppose there has been a lot of hype about Cara Dillon-BBC Folk awards etc. but this CD provides the reason, along with her backing tracks on Billy Connolly's latest rambles! The opening track, 'Black is the Colour' is just wonderful, the arrangement, particularly Sam Lakerman's piano, totally transposing something traditional into a vital 21st century song. And so for all the tracks. Much has been written about her beautiful voice, and indeed it is beautiful, but what really hits home with this record is the feeling that here are some young musicians really keeping the flame of traditional music burning brightly for the next generation. Simply brilliant.

I simply cannot get the disc out of my CD player. Anything you heard about this disc is not hype. This goes beyond Celtic folk though that is the genre you would have to classify it in. Her voice has an ethereal quality, and sounds different than anyone I have ever heard. The music simply grows better as you listen to it repeatedly. Donald of Glencoe is my current favorite, but that has changed. Itis a classic folk collection, but it is more while it remains true to the idiom. It is the best Cd I've purchased in some time.

Her Voice stands out in the music. Also check out Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells III album. She had a lead vocal role in the song "Man in the Rain". She sounds especially outstanding in this Mike Oldfield's composition. My personal favorite of Cara Dillon.

Cara Dillon is (by deduction) Mary Dillon's sister, lead singer of Irish band Deanta. This is Cara's debut album featuring nine traditional songs and two originals in both acoustic and contemporary electric arrangements. Cara has a sweet almost wispy voice, akin to both Mary Dillon and Karan Casey, well suited to this repertoire. The arrangements are all very tasteful, and Cara's style pulls each together and makes them work. The highlights for me are "Black Is The Colour" and "The Maid of Culmore", both tender, romantic and captivating. Others include "Donald of Glencoe", "Craigie Hill", "Green Grows The Laurel", "The Lark In The Clear Air" and "I Am A Youth That's Inclined To Ramble". Production values are not quite as assured as say, Karan Casey's "Distant Shore", but Cara's fine talent will quickly make its mark with a wide audience.

I got this CD about a month ago and I just love it. I am constantly listening to it in my car. I first heard of Cara Dillon at the Sidmouth Folk Festival in England this past Summer, so I decided to check her music out. I was pleasantly suprised at the outcome. Cara blends the old and new together beautifully in this Cd which is probably the reason I like it so much. My favorite song has to be the last track (I am a Youth Inclined to Ramble). Even if you're not a hard core folk fan give this one a try.

I suppose there has been a lot of hype about Cara Dillon-BBC Folk awards etc. but this CD provides the reason, along with her backing tracks on Billy Connolly's latest rambles! The opening track, 'Black is the Colour' is just wonderful, the arrangement, particularly Sam Lakeman's piano, totally transposing something traditional into a vital 21st century song. And so for all the tracks. Much has been written about her beautiful voice, and indeed it is beautiful, but what really hits home with this record is the feeling that here are some young musicians really keeping the flame of traditional music burning brightly for the next generation. Simply brilliant.

Cara Dillon has a voice unmatched since the purity and poignancy of Ella Fitzgerald. Some of the songs are merely very good; the best are superb.

The reason you have to own this album is to get the full digital version of "Lark In The Clear Air". It is an old combination of a poem by Sir Samuel Ferguson (1810-1886) and one of the more beautiful traditional Irish melodies. And Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman have created the definitive version of it, with her delicate vocals perfectly blended with Sam's sensitive piano.

There is nothing to match it on the rest of the album. Cara has a voice that is best suited to sparse accompaniment. This is demonstrated on my other favorite track, "Blue Mountain River". It starts well, with voice and piano, and then rises into the stratosphere with Cara's sister Mary's backing vocals, only to fizzle out when the band gets too loud. I think The Corrs could do a wonderful version of this song.

This is the only album from Cara that I have heard - too busy so far to listen further. But high on my dream album wishlist is Cara, Mary and Sam (and no-one else, except maybe a few well-placed strings) doing a collection of traditional duets. I can hear it playing in my mind, and the sound is ethereal. I hope one day you can buy the cd.