‘Live at Cooper Hall’ was out on CD and all digital platforms on 6th August 2021. ‘Cara Dillon’ will be released on limited edition vinyl on 24th September 2021 and Cara is on tour throughout the UK this autumn.
Cara Dillon, one of Ireland’s leading folk artists, has announced the release of Live at Cooper Hall. The album is a collection of 16 songs with accompaniment by Sam Lakeman on Steinway grand piano and guitar. The album was recorded without distraction —not even an audience—during the first Coronavirus lockdown in July 2020 at Cooper Hall in Somerset by Grammy winning recording engineer Dom Monks and broadcast worldwide to fans online.
The extraordinary circumstances of the concert only add to the reflective and intimate nature of the performance—Cara hearing the songs she's sung a thousand times through new ears and understanding, for what felt like the very first time, the heartbreak and longing for home so evident in the lyrics. This album exquisitely captures a special shared moment between two of folk music's finest performers in a career-spanning acoustic set, and features two previously unreleased songs.
Cara has also announced the release of a limited edition of her debut album on vinyl for the first time. The release marks the 20th anniversary of the self-titled album, which was originally released on legendary indie label Rough Trade Records to widespread critical acclaim in July 2001.The album gainedfour nominations at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2002, winning the Horizon Award and Best Traditional Track (for ‘Black is the Colour’). That same year, Cara also won the Best Roots Act at the Hot Press Awards in Ireland and performed at the star-studded awards ceremony in the company of U2, Radiohead, The Corrs and Ash.
Born in Dungiven in 1975, surrounded and infused with the rich cultural heritage of her native County Derry, Cara has risen to become one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world. Possessing a rare and unique voice that has been lauded since winning the All Ireland singing trophy aged only 14, together with her husband and musical partner, Sam Lakeman, she has successfully steered an eclectic musical path defying the typical pigeonholes that hinder most artists in her genre. Celebrated for entwining traditional and contemporary elements, she has earned both commercial success and astonishing critical acclaim.
Recent years have seen her return wholeheartedly to her Irish roots creating fresh interpretations of traditional folk standards with stunning results. Her reach is truly global, with fans to be found all over the world. Her clear, Northern Irish voice has seduced giants such as Disney who, in 2010, asked her to sing the title song to the animated movie Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue. She’s won countless awards and accolades including Album Of The Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, The Meteor Music Award for Best Irish Female, and Tatler’s Woman Of The Year in Music, and has appeared in prestigious concert halls and at festivals the world over. Always looking to introduce her voice and music to new listeners, Cara has topped the charts with dance remixes, guest appearances and presented her songs with full orchestral backing, bringing her music to an entirely new audience.
Whether she's singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she'll remain there for a very long time.
Website: www.caradillon.co.uk
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