my blog about cara

Blackheath Halls - concert no. 28

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:03:55 +0200

So, here it comes - my short little review about Friday nights show.

After 2005 and 2009 this was my third time attending a Cara Dillon concert at this gorgeous venue called Blackheath Halls. It was my 28th.

I have got very good memories about the 2005 and 2009 concerts. For example it was in 2005 when I first met Gizmo! But this time I was upset about the behavior of a member of the staff. Before the show started he came to me - and only to me (!) - to tell me it's not allowed to take photos or filming at all! I couldn't believe it! I was invited to come over the whole way from Germany as Cara's and Sam's guest to attend the concert. And now I wasn't allowed to take photos for my Cara Dillon fan page on the internet? While I was under custody of this staff member and only managed to do three or four photos stealthily, a guy only three seats away filming nearly the whole concert (http://www.youtube.com/user/ballyduff100#g/u)!!! AAARGH!!!!

But coming to the facts:

Concert started at 20:00 with two funny guys, Joe Francis and Marty Smyth, from Winter Mountain. They reminded me of Simon & Garfunkel or the Olsen Brothers. As I learned from Sam after the concert, both signed a contract to Charcoal Records and working hard to get their first album released. During their half an hour show they did nearly all songs of their EP "The Winter Mountain Band" (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/wintermountain/from/viglink).

After an interval of half an hour the main event of the evening started. Cara and Sam entered the stage accompanied by Emma Sweeney, Ed Boyd and Luc Daniels. For me a nearly complete new line up.

I was curious about what the first live concert after one and a half year would offer.

The set list:

01. Johnny, Lovely Johnny
02. Jimmy Mó Mhíle Stór
03. Black is the colour
04. I wish you well
05. Garden Valley
06. Erigh Suas A Storin
07. Jigs
08. Come Flying with me (from Tinker Bell)09. The Verdant Braes Of Skreen

10. Avalanche

11. Reels
12. Hill of Thieves
13. P stands for Paddy
---- Encore --------------------------
14. Parting Glass

Beside the music Cara and Sam entertained us with a couple of funny stories and Sam's fact section. So Cara learned that it is not the best idea to drink a self-mixed medicine with freshly grounded black pepper if you have to do singing right afterwards. Or the brave twin boys fighting a strong nose bleed and were sure it will be mortal. Or poor Noah, being blamed for the flooded house of Cara and Sam - nomen est omen!

For me it was a special concert because of the long time laying between this and my last concert in 2010 at East Wintergardens.
I enjoyed the set list with the two new songs. But it was also a little bit strange to listen to well known songs new arranged for the new line up. And I have to say that the lack of a drum kit, a double bass and an uilleann pipe makes a huge difference to me. For example "I wish you well" now is a totally other song to me:

@Gary: As I mentioned before, I asked Cara sand Sam about a new album. They told me that they didn't find enough time for composing during the last six months. The breeding of three children can be a real time bandit. But now, after Noah and Colm starting school, they might have some more time for composing. I'm sure we are going to see a new album by the end of next year (no pressure Sam! ).

B&W - Society of Sound

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:08:22 +0100

Bowers & Wilkins, manufacturers of great sounding speakers, have chosen 11 songs from the new live DVD to feature in their Society of Sound music club.

New DVD - Release date announced - Special offer

Mon, 1 Nov 2010 11:57:47 +0100

Today the release of the new DVD “CARA DILLON - Live At The Grand Opera House” was announced for Monday, 29th November 2010!

All members of Cara’s mailing list will receive a special discount code to get 20% off the regular price when purchasing in the official Cara Dillon online store! Can’t wait!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:38:19 +0200

“It’s a girl!” - Cara and Sam welcomed baby Elizabeth into their family!

As Cara and Sam announced on 22th October, Elizabeth was born on 12th October 2010. Everthing went well this time!

Maybe Cara and Sam are inspired to compose another October song, which could be the counterpart of the sad “October Winds”...

NEW DVD

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 11:33:00 +0200

Cara’s long awaited live DVD called “CARA DILLON - Live At The Grand Opera House” is going to be released in a couple of weeks from now!

More information about the release on Cara’s blog.

Maternity Break!

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 11:04:22 +0200

Cara and sam announced today that they will be taking a maternity break. Their third child is going to be born in October! All the best Cara and Sam! Fingers crossed...

Cara is going Hollywood!

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:54:30 +0200

Today Cara announced she’s singing the opening and closing song on the new Disney movie “Tinker bell and the great Fairy Rescue”! Additionally Cara is doing the narration part of the opening story. It seems, I’ll have to buy my first Disney movie...

Find more about Cara’s movie debut here.

Cara announced Second Pregnancy!

Thu, 27 May 2010 11:17:46 +0200

Oh yes! I was right! During the sound check of the East Wintergardens concert I was sure I saw a little round belly under Cara’s shirt. I want to ask but David, who accompanied me, said I couldn’t do it! It’s not gentleman like to ask a lady if she’s pregnant... OK, he was right. Could be really embarrassing to do so.

But nevertheless: Good luck to Cara and Sam!!!

Cara Dillon on the Jools Holland Show

Mon, 5 Apr 2010 18:35:48 +0200

On Easter Monday Cara joined Jools Holland as special guest for his radio show. As a highlight of the show she performed “Crazy Love” with Jools and his band.

Listen to the whole interview with the following songs.

• Hill of Thieves
• Jerry Douglas - Hey Joe
• Parting Glass
• Fleetwood Mac - Landslide
• Crazy Love with Jools and his band
• Spencer the Rover

New Tour Dates!

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:25:58 +0100

Check the new tour dates. Cara and Sam are going to come to Germany in September! Hope they’ll add some dates in northern Germany, too! ;-)

Cara Dillon
Ireland's Beautiful Voice

24.09.2010
71672 Marbach, Stadthalle Marbach, 20:00
http://www.schillerstadt-marbach.de
VVK: 00491805 700 733

25.09.2010
73734 Esslingen, Dieselstraße, 20:30
http://www.dieselstrasse.de
VVK: 00490711-388452

East Wintergardens - Concert No. 27

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:39:53 +0100

After nearly half a year without seeing a live performance of Cara and Sam it was time for me to think about another trip to the UK. My first choice was the gig on 5th March at the Arts Depot in London. But (un)fortunately I wasn’t able to get a day off. So, I spotted an even better chance: The St. Patrick’s Day special at East Wintergardens. Not even simpler to reach but with the oppertunity to see Cara, Sam and Seth perfoming on one stage together again!

I booked the flight and hotel at once but missed to secure a ticket as well. That was a fault because I wasn’t the only one who wanted to experience this special gig. A few days later the concert was sold out! And I have to tremble for long six weeks. I decided to go anyhow, with or without a ticket. But on 16th March I got an email from Sam and it was such a relief for me when he told me I’ll get a ticket!

Some posts from “The Broken Bridge Forum” (also recommended for lots of photo/video stuff!):

The show tonight was awesome
The good news is that Gizmo got in too and it was lovely to meet her after the show.
I met up with Claus before the show for a quick pint. It was great to meet him. We then dashed off to get some flowers for Cara to say thanks to them both for making Claus a guest.
We got to the venue and as Claus was a guest we managed to persuade them to allow us in to watch the sound check. We took some pictures of them all rehearsing.
The tables were all laid out with candles with 5 seats per table. It was very nice to see it all. Cara came over and said hello to Claus and we took a seat at the front table while they all got dressed and ready.
The doors opened and I managed to spot the lovely Susan from the Mire (Seths Site) and Claus and I went over to say hello. She very very lovely and it was a pleasure to meet her too at last.
The Show was brilliant from start to finish and we have lots of photos and videos to share with you.
After the show we got albums/DVD's/pictures signed and photos with Cara and Seth. We chatted to Sam and all in all it was an unforgettable evening. The others will fill you in the details and pictures and stuff no doubt (David aka Thief)

Well done, Thief! Have no idea what to add. And thanks again for the picture! I will post it when I'm back in Germany!
It was very nice to have more Bridger's on my side this time! And it was a great relief to me that Gizmo found her way in the venue as well! It's always a pleasure to meet her at the gigs!
Seth didn't manage to flee this time but was surrounded by a bunch of girls. And all of them got their desired autographs.
As soon I'm back home I am going to sort out the best photos and post them here and on my site www.caradillon-gallery.de (from me)

Setlist:

01. Johnny, lovely Johnny (did you know it was inspired by the "Airwolf" tune?)
02. Jimmy Mó Mhíle Stór
03. She moves through the Fair
04. Garden Valley
05. Crazy Love
06. I wish you Well
07. Tunes
08. Storin
09. Verdant Braes of Skreen
---------------------------------------------------
10. Seth solo: Hurlers
11. Seth solo: Circle Grows
12. Seth solo: Kitty Jay
---------------------------------------------------
13. Black is the Colour with Seth
14. SPENCER THE ROVER with Seth the first time after recording it!!!
15. Hill of Thieves with Seth - and with Sam's facts first
16. P stands for Paddy with Seth
----------------------------------------------------
17. Encore: Tunes

More videos from the concerts on my playlist:

Winning Spiral Awards!

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:14:52 +0100

Winning both categories she was nominated for is another success only a few days after the BBC FOLK AWARD!
The SPIRAL AWARDS are a public online vote. So it’s a proof of Cara’s broadly based popularity. The song "Jimmy Mo Mhile Stor" was awarded BEST TRADITIONAL SONG. And Cara was voted as THE BEST FEMALE SINGER.