Cara Dillon
Encyclopedia
Cara Dillon is an Irish
folk
singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon
album. However, Dillon had been pursuing a career in music since her teenage years, progressing through folk bands Óige and Equation and spending time working with her husband Sam Lakeman under the duo name Polar Star. She has also collaborated with artists from a variety of genres along the way.
She is the sister of Mary Dillon
, formerly of Déanta
, and is married to Sam Lakeman
, with whom she has collaborated musically.
.
In 1992 she formed a band called Óige (an Irish word meaning 'youth') with school friends Murrough and Ruardhrai O'Kane, bringing her take on Irish traditional songs to Ireland, Scotland and further afield. During this time she also performed with big names such as De Dannan
and Phil Coulter
. Óige recorded two albums with Dillon: a studio and a live album. Inspiration was recorded in 1992 to sell at concerts in Europe. The live album, simply called Live, was recorded at a concert in Glasgow
in 1994. A cassette tape
version also exists under the name Live in Glasgow. Dillon left Óige in 1995 after being asked to replace Kate Rusby
in a so-called folk supergroup Equation; however, she guests on their second studio album, Bang On, playing fiddles on the last track, "Maids Of Mitchelstown".
, Sam Lakeman
, Seth Lakeman
, Kathryn Roberts
and Dillon. They signed a major record deal with Blanco y Negro
(part of Warner Music Group
) and recorded an album at Peter Gabriel
's Realworld Studios in winter 1995-'96. The album, entitled Return to Me, was produced by David Bottrill
. There was a single release, "He Loves Me", with an accompanying promotional video. The band performed on MTV
and VH1
, but weeks before the release of the album the record label shelved it. It was not released in 1996, but in 2003 it saw a release under Rough Trade
after Geoff Travis
(the band's former manager) bought its rights.
Dillon left Equation with original band member Sam Lakeman
because of musical differences and together they immediately signed a separate deal with the same label. The duo was known as Polar Star. During this time Dillon formed a strong musical partnership with Lakeman. They recorded several albums with top songwriters and producers in the UK
and San Francisco, but none of their work was released. By 2000, Dillon and Lakeman had decided that they would never be able to give the label what they wanted. Circa summer 2000, Dillon and Lakeman ended their five year relationship with Warner Music Group
and signed to Indie
label Rough Trade Records
.
, Ireland. The album was produced and recorded by Lakeman and mixed by John Reynolds (Sinéad O'Connor
and Damien Dempsey
). It contained nine traditional songs Dillon had since her schooldays and also had two original Dillon/Lakeman songs "Blue Mountain River" (which became a single in her native land) and "I Wish I Was". The album was released on 16 July 2001, to critical acclaim. The reaction to the album, according to Dillon, was very unexpected. The opening track of the album is "Black is the Colour". The track was given a more modern arrangement by Lakeman with Hammond organs and bass playing combined with a piano riff. Dillon's vocal earned her comparisons to Kate Bush
. Throughout 2001 and 2002, Dillon toured the album extensively in the UK, Ireland and Europe and her fan base grew steadily. The album won many awards and got very positive reviews. The couple ended 2002 on a high with their marriage in December.
The follow-up album, Sweet Liberty, was released on 22 September 2003. In terms of sales and airplay, the album was a bigger success. Sales were helped by the inclusion of Dillon's popular version of "There Were Roses" (notably featured on the BBC series Billy Connolly's World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales
). The album entered the Irish album charts and the UK indie album charts. The album was promoted with songs "High Tide", "There Were Roses" and "Everywhere". The album also had a more balanced mix of traditional and original material, including another Kate Bush-esque track, "Falling Like a Star" and "Broken Bridges". Both songs showed Dillon and Lakeman's songwriting could successfully cross musical borders. The album was again produced by Lakeman and mixed by John Reynolds and Alan Branch and was recorded "at home in Somerset
".
In January 2004, Dillon travelled to Japan on a promotional tour of the album. Cara's solo career up this point was polished with her receiving The Meteor Irish Music Award for Best Irish Female. With two albums under her belt, Dillon's music was showcased on an international scale. Her relationship with WOMAD
played a crucial part in this. The couple returned to the studio again in summer 2004 to record their third album.
Dillon's third album, After the Morning, was released on 27 February 2006. The album was the longest in the making to date and featured several guest appearances. The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
recorded for two tracks on the album, Garden Valley & The Snows They Melt The Soonest; Martin Simpson
, the acclaimed blues guitarist featured on Grace; two of Ireland's finest traditional musicians Mairtin O'Connor and Cathal Hayden perform on Bold Jamie and Cara duetted with Paul Brady
on album highlight The Streets Of Derry.
The album gave Cara her most successful radio hit to date, Never In A Million Years, garnering a good amount of airplay on radio stations in the UK and Ireland. The song featured on the Radio 2 playlist for six weeks and was record of the week on BBC Radio Ulster and RTÉ Radio 1. Despite the encouraging reception of the song, an official single release was never given to the song and it was released on download-only by iTunes a week prior to the album release and climbed into the top 40 most downloaded songs that week. An official single release was planned for after the album came out but it did not happen. The next single to be released from the album was a double A side: This Time/I Wish You Well. It featured a new radio mix of This Time with added vocals and guitars. The single generated some airplay on Radio 2 in July 2006 and was scheduled for release on 14 August, however Rough Trade cancelled it, citing a lack of airplay. Some copies of the single are in circulation but are difficult to find.
in County Donegal
which led to an extensive tour starting in the May and continuing through the folk festival season to the winter of 2008/9. This tour took-in venues across Ireland, Great Britain and The USA and introduced guitarist John Smith as a duet partner on the single If I Prove False
, this single and a fourth album Hill of Thieves (released 26 January 2009) saw Cara move to her own label Charcoal Records. Despite being diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic
in 2008, Dillon has continued touring, recording and performing interviews throughout the world. She announced her illness and her strong Roman Catholic faith on Aled Jones
' radio show in 2009.
on the single from his Tubular Bells III
album, Man in the Rain
. In 2001, she featured on two tracks on the John Reynolds
project Interview With The Angel, an album by Ghostland. Cara sang on the tracks Faith In Love and Sacred Touch Of Beauty, the former being the album's lead single. 2005 saw Cara guest on the soundtrack to the British comedy movie featuring Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas, Keeping Mum
. In 2006, Judge Jules
released his debut album, to which Cara provided vocals on the lead UK single Ordinary Day. The trance track was a big club hit and entered the UK dance charts at 3.
Also on the dance scene, Dillon's award winning version of Black Is The Colour was remixed by DJ Pete Devine (2Devine/Coco & Green) and became an instant hit on the dance floors in 2005. Over the next year, the popularity grew steadily and the track topped many polls and became a favourite of the top DJs on the scene. Following legal difficulties with the clearance of the track the release on the Anjunabeats
dance label was not until 19 March 2007.
2006 also saw Dillon involved with the BBC Radio 2 2006 Radio Ballads, and her vocals feature on the episode Thirty Years Of Conflict. This was released on CD and an album of songs from the radio ballads has also been released (see Discography).
In 2009, Cara recorded the official Children In Need
single, All You Need Is Love alongside Peter Gabriel
, Sir Terry Wogan, Hayley Westenra
and others at Abbey Road Studios
.
In 2010 Cara sang the opening song "Summer's Just Begun" for Disney's Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
as well as narrating the opening sequence. She also sang a lullaby called "Come Flying With Me" featured during the credits for the movie. It reached the Box Office Top 10 upon its national cinema release in the UK in August 2010 and is the third installment of Disney's highly successful franchise.
Opening Ceremony with the Ulster Orchestra
. In 2006, Dillon was honoured with the invitation to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Ryder Cup
at the K Club in Ireland. She sang the Irish song Mo Ghile Mear to an audience of over 500 million worldwide with Afro Celt Sound System
vocalist Iarla Ó Lionáird
, a 60 piece choir and 23 piece band. In October 2006, she performed at the re-opening of the prestigious Grand Opera House
in Belfast.
in December 2002. The couple live in Frome
with their three children, twin sons Noah and Colm (born 17 November 2006) and daughter Elizabeth (born 12 October 2010).
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon
Cara Dillon (album)
Cara Dillon is the debut solo album from the Irish folk artist Cara Dillon. It was recorded at The Firs, producer/partner Sam Lakeman's parents' house. There were also recordings made in County Donegal, Ireland. The album was mixed by John Reynolds...
album. However, Dillon had been pursuing a career in music since her teenage years, progressing through folk bands Óige and Equation and spending time working with her husband Sam Lakeman under the duo name Polar Star. She has also collaborated with artists from a variety of genres along the way.
She is the sister of Mary Dillon
Mary Dillon
Mary Dillon is an Irish folk singer. She is best known for her work with the traditional band Déanta. Following Déanta's breakup, Dillon has worked as a teacher...
, formerly of Déanta
Déanta
Déanta is an Irish traditional music band from Northern Ireland. The name of the band is the Irish word for done or made. The band, formed in the early 1990s in County Antrim, played together until 1997 and regrouped in 2008. The band were noted members of the traditional music scene in Ireland...
, and is married to Sam Lakeman
Sam Lakeman
Samuel Charles Lakeman is an English musician, songwriter, and producer and co-owner of Charcoal Records.-Biography:He was brought up in the village of Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon, with his brothers, fellow musicians Seth Lakeman and Sean Lakeman...
, with whom she has collaborated musically.
The early years (1992–1995)
Dillon comes from an area steeped in Irish traditional music. Since she was a schoolgirl she has sung and performed. She learned local folk songs from teachers and workshops held in the town. She can also play the fiddle and whistles. At the age of 14 she won the All Ireland Singing Trophy at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireannFleadh Cheoil
The Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or more commonly known as "Comhaltas" ....
.
In 1992 she formed a band called Óige (an Irish word meaning 'youth') with school friends Murrough and Ruardhrai O'Kane, bringing her take on Irish traditional songs to Ireland, Scotland and further afield. During this time she also performed with big names such as De Dannan
De Dannan
De Dannan was an Irish folk music group. They were formed by Frankie Gavin , Alec Finn , Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh and Charlie Piggott as a result of sessions in Hughes's Pub in An Spidéal, County Galway, subsequently inviting Dolores Keane to join the band...
and Phil Coulter
Phil Coulter
Phil Coulter is an artist with an international reputation as a successful songwriter, pianist, music producer, arranger and director. His success has spanned four decades and he is one of the biggest record sellers in Ireland...
. Óige recorded two albums with Dillon: a studio and a live album. Inspiration was recorded in 1992 to sell at concerts in Europe. The live album, simply called Live, was recorded at a concert in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in 1994. A cassette tape
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
version also exists under the name Live in Glasgow. Dillon left Óige in 1995 after being asked to replace Kate Rusby
Kate Rusby
Kate Anna Rusby is an English folk singer and songwriter from Penistone, South Yorkshire. Sometimes known as The Barnsley Nightingale, she has headlined various British national folk festivals, and is regarded as one of the most famous English folk singers of contemporary times...
in a so-called folk supergroup Equation; however, she guests on their second studio album, Bang On, playing fiddles on the last track, "Maids Of Mitchelstown".
The major years (1995–2000)
Equation comprised five members: Sean LakemanSean Lakeman
Sean Lakeman , is an English folk musician and producer.-Early life:He was brought up in the village of Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon with his brothers, fellow folk musicians Seth Lakeman and Sam Lakeman...
, Sam Lakeman
Sam Lakeman
Samuel Charles Lakeman is an English musician, songwriter, and producer and co-owner of Charcoal Records.-Biography:He was brought up in the village of Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon, with his brothers, fellow musicians Seth Lakeman and Sean Lakeman...
, Seth Lakeman
Seth Lakeman
Seth Bernard Lakeman is an English folk singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who is most often associated with the fiddle and tenor guitar, but has also mastered the viola and banjo...
, Kathryn Roberts
Kathryn Roberts
Kathryn Roberts is an English folk singer, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire.Her first released recordings were on the album Intuition, a collection of songs by various South Yorkshire folk artists which also included her friend Kate Rusby...
and Dillon. They signed a major record deal with Blanco y Negro
Blanco y Negro Records
Blanco y Negro Records, a subsidiary of WEA Records Ltd., was established in 1983 by Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records.Blanco y Negro was home to such artists as Bananarama, Everything But the Girl, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dream Academy, Dinosaur Jr., Bernthøler, A House, Catatonia, The...
(part of Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
) and recorded an album at Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
's Realworld Studios in winter 1995-'96. The album, entitled Return to Me, was produced by David Bottrill
David Bottrill
David Bottrill is a Canadian record producer. He has won three Grammys. Currently, he owns Rattlebox Studios in Toronto, Ontario with producer Brian Moncarz...
. There was a single release, "He Loves Me", with an accompanying promotional video. The band performed on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
, but weeks before the release of the album the record label shelved it. It was not released in 1996, but in 2003 it saw a release under Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
after Geoff Travis
Geoff Travis
Geoff Travis is the founder of both Rough Trade Records and the Rough Trade chain of record shops. A former drama teacher and owner of a punk record shop, Travis founded the Rough Trade label in 1978.-Biography:...
(the band's former manager) bought its rights.
Dillon left Equation with original band member Sam Lakeman
Sam Lakeman
Samuel Charles Lakeman is an English musician, songwriter, and producer and co-owner of Charcoal Records.-Biography:He was brought up in the village of Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon, with his brothers, fellow musicians Seth Lakeman and Sean Lakeman...
because of musical differences and together they immediately signed a separate deal with the same label. The duo was known as Polar Star. During this time Dillon formed a strong musical partnership with Lakeman. They recorded several albums with top songwriters and producers in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and San Francisco, but none of their work was released. By 2000, Dillon and Lakeman had decided that they would never be able to give the label what they wanted. Circa summer 2000, Dillon and Lakeman ended their five year relationship with Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
and signed to Indie
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
label Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
.
The Rough Trade records (2001–2007)
Dillon recorded her first album in The Firs, Lakeman's parents' house. There were also recordings made in County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland. The album was produced and recorded by Lakeman and mixed by John Reynolds (Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
and Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk with contemporary lyrics to deliver social comment on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society.-Early life:...
). It contained nine traditional songs Dillon had since her schooldays and also had two original Dillon/Lakeman songs "Blue Mountain River" (which became a single in her native land) and "I Wish I Was". The album was released on 16 July 2001, to critical acclaim. The reaction to the album, according to Dillon, was very unexpected. The opening track of the album is "Black is the Colour". The track was given a more modern arrangement by Lakeman with Hammond organs and bass playing combined with a piano riff. Dillon's vocal earned her comparisons to Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
. Throughout 2001 and 2002, Dillon toured the album extensively in the UK, Ireland and Europe and her fan base grew steadily. The album won many awards and got very positive reviews. The couple ended 2002 on a high with their marriage in December.
The follow-up album, Sweet Liberty, was released on 22 September 2003. In terms of sales and airplay, the album was a bigger success. Sales were helped by the inclusion of Dillon's popular version of "There Were Roses" (notably featured on the BBC series Billy Connolly's World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales
Billy Connolly's World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales
Billy Connolly's World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales is the third of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly's "world tours" commissioned by the BBC...
). The album entered the Irish album charts and the UK indie album charts. The album was promoted with songs "High Tide", "There Were Roses" and "Everywhere". The album also had a more balanced mix of traditional and original material, including another Kate Bush-esque track, "Falling Like a Star" and "Broken Bridges". Both songs showed Dillon and Lakeman's songwriting could successfully cross musical borders. The album was again produced by Lakeman and mixed by John Reynolds and Alan Branch and was recorded "at home in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
".
In January 2004, Dillon travelled to Japan on a promotional tour of the album. Cara's solo career up this point was polished with her receiving The Meteor Irish Music Award for Best Irish Female. With two albums under her belt, Dillon's music was showcased on an international scale. Her relationship with WOMAD
World of Music, Arts and Dance
WOMAD is an international arts festival. The central aim of WOMAD is to celebrate the world's many forms of music, arts and dance.-History:...
played a crucial part in this. The couple returned to the studio again in summer 2004 to record their third album.
Dillon's third album, After the Morning, was released on 27 February 2006. The album was the longest in the making to date and featured several guest appearances. The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
The Česká filharmonie is a symphony orchestra based in Prague and is the best-known and most respected orchestra in the Czech Republic.- History :...
recorded for two tracks on the album, Garden Valley & The Snows They Melt The Soonest; Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson is an English folk singer, guitarist and songwriter. His music reflects a wide variety of influences and styles, rooted in the British Isles, America and beyond.-Biography:...
, the acclaimed blues guitarist featured on Grace; two of Ireland's finest traditional musicians Mairtin O'Connor and Cathal Hayden perform on Bold Jamie and Cara duetted with Paul Brady
Paul Brady
Paul Joseph Brady is an Irish singer-songwriter, whose work straddles folk and pop. He was interested in a wide variety of music from an early age...
on album highlight The Streets Of Derry.
The album gave Cara her most successful radio hit to date, Never In A Million Years, garnering a good amount of airplay on radio stations in the UK and Ireland. The song featured on the Radio 2 playlist for six weeks and was record of the week on BBC Radio Ulster and RTÉ Radio 1. Despite the encouraging reception of the song, an official single release was never given to the song and it was released on download-only by iTunes a week prior to the album release and climbed into the top 40 most downloaded songs that week. An official single release was planned for after the album came out but it did not happen. The next single to be released from the album was a double A side: This Time/I Wish You Well. It featured a new radio mix of This Time with added vocals and guitars. The single generated some airplay on Radio 2 in July 2006 and was scheduled for release on 14 August, however Rough Trade cancelled it, citing a lack of airplay. Some copies of the single are in circulation but are difficult to find.
2008 move to Charcoal Records
In January 2008 Cara and her band recorded a DVD The Redcastle SessionsThe Redcastle Sessions (DVD)
The Redcastle Sessions is a DVD featuring live performances by folk artist Cara Dillon of songs from her first three solo albums, as well as previously unreleased songs and songs for inclusion on her fourth solo studio album...
in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
which led to an extensive tour starting in the May and continuing through the folk festival season to the winter of 2008/9. This tour took-in venues across Ireland, Great Britain and The USA and introduced guitarist John Smith as a duet partner on the single If I Prove False
If I Prove False (Cara Dillon single)
If I Prove False is a single by folk artist Cara Dillon. The single was released in conjunction with the release of her first full length DVD The Redcastle Sessions. The song became a live favourite for the singer during 2007 when she toured with guitarist and singer John Smith. The single is a...
, this single and a fourth album Hill of Thieves (released 26 January 2009) saw Cara move to her own label Charcoal Records. Despite being diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose...
in 2008, Dillon has continued touring, recording and performing interviews throughout the world. She announced her illness and her strong Roman Catholic faith on Aled Jones
Aled Jones
Aled Jones is a Welsh singer and television/radio personality, broadcaster and television presenter who first came to fame as a treble...
' radio show in 2009.
Collaborations and guest appearances
Throughout Dillon's career she has ventured into many successful collaborations with a range of artists. In 1998, she was guest vocalist (credited as "Cara from Polar Star") for Mike OldfieldMike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
on the single from his Tubular Bells III
Tubular Bells III
Tubular Bells III is the 18th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1998. A sequel to Oldfield's 1973 Tubular Bells and his 1992 Tubular Bells II albums, it was released on the 25th anniversary of the first Tubular Bells album....
album, Man in the Rain
Man in the Rain
"Man in the Rain" is a pop song written and performed by by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield. It was included on the album Tubular Bells III and released as a single in October 1998. The vocals were performed by Cara Dillon.- History :...
. In 2001, she featured on two tracks on the John Reynolds
John Reynolds (musician)
John Reynolds is a record producer. He was the first husband of singer Sinéad O'Connor; they have one child, Jake. Reynolds, formerly a drummer for Jah Wobble, met O'Connor and recorded her first album, The Lion and the Cobra...
project Interview With The Angel, an album by Ghostland. Cara sang on the tracks Faith In Love and Sacred Touch Of Beauty, the former being the album's lead single. 2005 saw Cara guest on the soundtrack to the British comedy movie featuring Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas, Keeping Mum
Keeping Mum
Keeping Mum is a 2005 British black comedy film starring Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith and Patrick Swayze.-Plot:In the opening scene, as pregnant young Rosie Jones rides on a train, her very large trunk starts leaking blood...
. In 2006, Judge Jules
Judge Jules
Judge Jules is a British dance music DJ and producer, known for his DJ activities and popular radio show which achieved global success.-Education:...
released his debut album, to which Cara provided vocals on the lead UK single Ordinary Day. The trance track was a big club hit and entered the UK dance charts at 3.
Also on the dance scene, Dillon's award winning version of Black Is The Colour was remixed by DJ Pete Devine (2Devine/Coco & Green) and became an instant hit on the dance floors in 2005. Over the next year, the popularity grew steadily and the track topped many polls and became a favourite of the top DJs on the scene. Following legal difficulties with the clearance of the track the release on the Anjunabeats
Anjunabeats
Anjunabeats is a British record label, started by producers Jonathan "Jono" Grant and Paavo Siljamäki in 2000 which releases trance music. The first 12" record was titled Volume One, released under Grant and Siljamäki's alias, Anjunabeats, in 2000. As the label got the name Anjunabeats, they...
dance label was not until 19 March 2007.
2006 also saw Dillon involved with the BBC Radio 2 2006 Radio Ballads, and her vocals feature on the episode Thirty Years Of Conflict. This was released on CD and an album of songs from the radio ballads has also been released (see Discography).
In 2009, Cara recorded the official Children In Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
single, All You Need Is Love alongside Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, Sir Terry Wogan, Hayley Westenra
Hayley Westenra
Hayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand soprano, classical crossover artist, songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide...
and others at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
.
In 2010 Cara sang the opening song "Summer's Just Begun" for Disney's Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is an computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise, produced by DisneyToon Studios. It is the sequel to the 2009 film, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure and revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M...
as well as narrating the opening sequence. She also sang a lullaby called "Come Flying With Me" featured during the credits for the movie. It reached the Box Office Top 10 upon its national cinema release in the UK in August 2010 and is the third installment of Disney's highly successful franchise.
Other
In 2003, Dillon performed at the Belfast Festival at Queen'sBelfast Festival at Queen's
The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's is an annual arts festival held in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 49th Festival will take place from 14 to 31 October 2011.-History:...
Opening Ceremony with the Ulster Orchestra
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Belfast, the only full-time professional orchestra in Northern Ireland. The orchestra plays the majority of its concerts in Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall...
. In 2006, Dillon was honoured with the invitation to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
at the K Club in Ireland. She sang the Irish song Mo Ghile Mear to an audience of over 500 million worldwide with Afro Celt Sound System
Afro Celt Sound System
The Afro Celt Sound System is a musical group which fuses modern electronic dance rhythms with traditional Irish and West African music...
vocalist Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird is an Irish singer and producer well known for his involvement with the Afro Celt Sound System. He is one of the most prominent artists of the Irish Sean nós singing tradition, and has released three solo albums through Real World Records, the third being Invisible Fields,...
, a 60 piece choir and 23 piece band. In October 2006, she performed at the re-opening of the prestigious Grand Opera House
Grand Opera House (Belfast)
The Grand Opera House is a theatre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed by the most prolific theatre architect of the period, Frank Matcham. It opened on 23 December 1895....
in Belfast.
Family
Dillon married Sam LakemanSam Lakeman
Samuel Charles Lakeman is an English musician, songwriter, and producer and co-owner of Charcoal Records.-Biography:He was brought up in the village of Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon, with his brothers, fellow musicians Seth Lakeman and Sean Lakeman...
in December 2002. The couple live in Frome
Frome
Frome is a town and civil parish in northeast Somerset, England. Located at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills, the town is built on uneven high ground, and centres around the River Frome. The town is approximately south of Bath, east of the county town, Taunton and west of London. In the 2001...
with their three children, twin sons Noah and Colm (born 17 November 2006) and daughter Elizabeth (born 12 October 2010).
Awards and nominations
- 2002 WON the BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Best Traditional Song (for Black Is The Colour) - 2002 WON the BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Horizon Award (Best Newcomer) - 2002 Nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Folk Singer Of The Year - 2002 Nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Best Album (for Cara DillonCara Dillon (album)Cara Dillon is the debut solo album from the Irish folk artist Cara Dillon. It was recorded at The Firs, producer/partner Sam Lakeman's parents' house. There were also recordings made in County Donegal, Ireland. The album was mixed by John Reynolds...
)" - 2002 WON the Hot Press Award - Best Roots Act
- 2002 WON the Big Buzz Magazine Award - Best Traditional Act
- 2003 WON the Big Buzz Magazine Award - Best Traditional Act
- 2004 WON the Meteor Music AwardsMeteor Music AwardsThe Meteor Ireland Music Awards are a group of music awards in Ireland...
- Best Irish Female - 2004 Nominated for Meteor Music AwardsMeteor Music AwardsThe Meteor Ireland Music Awards are a group of music awards in Ireland...
- Best Folk Act - 2004 WON the Irish Tatler Woman Of The Year - (Music category)
- 2005 WON the Big Buzz Magazine Award - Best Traditional Act
- 2007 Nominated for Meteor Music AwardsMeteor Music AwardsThe Meteor Ireland Music Awards are a group of music awards in Ireland...
- Best Irish Female - 2007 WON the Indie Acoustic Project Best Celtic Album of 2006 - (for After The Morning)
- 2010 Nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Best Traditional Song "(for Spencer The Rover)" - 2010 Nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Folk Singer Of The Year - 2010 WON the BBC Radio 2 Folk AwardBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
- Album Of The Year (for Hill of Thieves) - 2010 WON the Spiral Earth Awards - Best Female Singer
- 2010 WON the Spiral Earth Awards - Best Traditional Song - (for Jimmy Mó Mhilé Stor)
Other accolades
- 2001 BBC Radio 3BBC Radio 3BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
/FRoots Critics Poll #7 (for Cara DillonCara Dillon (album)Cara Dillon is the debut solo album from the Irish folk artist Cara Dillon. It was recorded at The Firs, producer/partner Sam Lakeman's parents' house. There were also recordings made in County Donegal, Ireland. The album was mixed by John Reynolds...
) - 2001 HMV Choice Reader's PollHMVHis Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
#12 Best Albums (for Cara DillonCara Dillon (album)Cara Dillon is the debut solo album from the Irish folk artist Cara Dillon. It was recorded at The Firs, producer/partner Sam Lakeman's parents' house. There were also recordings made in County Donegal, Ireland. The album was mixed by John Reynolds...
) - 2004 HMV Choice Reader's PollHMVHis Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
#9 Trad/Folk Section (for Sweet LibertySweet Liberty (album)Sweet Liberty is the second solo album from folk artist Cara Dillon. It was recorded at their home studio in Frome, Somerset. Similar to her debut album, Sweet Liberty was produced and recorded by Sam Lakeman, her husband and musical partner. Additional production was by John Reynolds, who also...
) - 2006 MixmagMixmagMixmag is a British dance music and clubbing magazine. It styles itself as "the world's biggest selling dance music magazine", with an Audit Bureau of Circulations audited circulation of approximately 21,250...
#1 Trance track of 2006 (for Cara Dillon vs 2Devine - Black Is The Colour) - 2006 MixmagMixmagMixmag is a British dance music and clubbing magazine. It styles itself as "the world's biggest selling dance music magazine", with an Audit Bureau of Circulations audited circulation of approximately 21,250...
#21 Top 100 Tunes Of 2006 (for Cara Dillon vs 2Devine - Black Is The Colour) - 2006 Radio 2 FolkBBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
#4 Top 10 Albums of 2006 (for After The Morning) - 2010 Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue she sings Come Fly With Me