Emotive performer Cara returns

“Her staggeringly-beautiful voice has the ability to reach inside the soul of a song and imbue material with not only profound sweetness but also poignancy and depth.”

She performs for Martin’s Acoustic Sussex series on Saturday, February 19 at Chequer Mead, East Grinstead.

Born in Dungiven in 1975, Cara was brought up in a close musical family immersed in the heritage of her native Co Derry. Having won the All Ireland Traditional Singing Trophy aged only 14, she went on to sing with Oige, De Dannan and then Equation.

“It was in this band that she met her husband and musical collaborator Sam Lakeman. The combination of Cara’s expressive vocals and Lakeman’s rippling piano and fresh production squeezed new life into ancient material.

“Their original songs sit happily alongside the traditional, reinforcing the debt they owe, whilst pointing to a distinct and distinguished musical identity all of their own.

“It was Cara’s unrivalled vocal talent and Sam’s musical and arranging skills that first saw them signed to major record labels - first, Blanco Y Negro (Warners) and then the enviably hip Rough Trade Records, who released her first 3 solo albums. “Whether she’s singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or their 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 be there for a very long time.”

Tickets are £17.50 (concessions £15); box office 01342 302000 or email [email protected]. More information on www.acousticsussex.org.uk.