Cara Dillon - Cara Dillon (2002)

Biography by Jason MacNeil:

Born in 1975 and performing since the age of 14, Cara Dillon has created many opportunities with an almost angelic voice. Born in Dungiven, Ireland, Dillon won the All Ireland Singing Trophy at age 14. She also became vocalist for Oige, an Irish band in her area. In 1995, she became the vocalist for Equation, an Irish "folk super-group" that toured Europe and the Middle East. In July 2001, Dillon released her debut solo self-titled album on Rough Trade Records. She has worked with several musicians ranging from Phil Coulter to Mike Oldfield. She has also received critical acclaim in British music magazines and in 2001 received two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, one for Best Newcomer (Horizon Award) and the other for Best Traditional Track.





Review by Jason MacNeil:

Although this is her debut offering, Cara Dillon sings with a confidence yet fragility way beyond her years. From the Irish traditional lilt on Donald of Glencoe to the gentleness of Craigie Hill, the singer has a very distinct delivery that is greatly enhanced by a sparse arrangement that has an almost ethereal result. There is also an earthy quality to her voice, which is indicative of her traditional Celtic roots. The Lonesome Scenes of Winter is perhaps the highlight of the record, with a simple lullably-like melody about love and foreseeable marriage. Although there are certain areas which are slightly overproduced, the general feeling of purity isn't lost from start to finish. What is very attractive though about the album is how the songs have a lot of empty space within, allowing various instrumentation to come to the fore. The closing and longest track, I Am A Youth That's Inclined To Ramble, is very poignant and bittersweet. If there is a negative or possible hint of filler material, it would be She's Like The Swallow, which seems out of place in the album's tracklisting and much too modern in light of the other songs. Regardless though, the album is hopefully a sign of things to come from a true gem.





Review 2 (customer):

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.





Review 3 (customer):

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.

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Review 4 (my own):

Fantastic! Great! Wonderful!


Track Listings
1. BLACK IS THE COLOUR
2. DONALD OF GLENCOE
3. CRAIGIE HILL
4. GREEN GROWS THE LAUREL
5. LARK IN THE CLEAR AIR
6. THE LONESOME SCENES OF WINTER
7. BLUE MOUNTAIN RIVER
8. I WISH I WAS
9. THE MAID OF CULMORE
10. SHE'S LIKE THE SWALLLOW
11. I AM A YOUTH THAT'S INCLINED TO RAMBLE

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http://rapidshare.com/files/78754378/Cara_Dillon_-_Cara_Dillon.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78765025/Cara_Dillon_-_Cara_Dillon.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78774455/Cara_Dillon_-_Cara_Dillon.part3.rar

2% Repair-info included. No pass.

If anyone have the two other albums from Cara Dillon, please share them with us.