Cara Dillon
Following a spot of maternity and some time off to enjoy her new family, as well as a few exploratory dates last year, 2009 seems to be the year for Cara Dillon to re-impose herself in the public consciousness, if she ever really went away.
2006 had her performing to an estimated tv audience of three hundred million at the opening ceremony of that year's Ryder Cup. It was the last time she played Cambridge and gave birth to twins, Noah and Colm. Cara is married to her musical partner Sam Lakeman, brother of Seth.
Throughout her career, solo, with Oige, DeDannen, The Equation and when performing alongside others, the quality of Cara's voice has tended to dominate reviews and for good reason. The quality of song choice is pretty much the next comment of the reviewers pen.
The arrangements, mainly of traditional songs, but with a light smattering of contemporary mixed in, allow for Cara to be at her most expressive. There's no point in having a great voice if it doesn't get to carry a feeling, a sense of melancholy or joy. The chance to move people and make them stop and think.
Cara's new album, "Hill Of Thieves" puts her straight back where she belongs. My guess is you'll be able to hear a pin drop during her songs and hardly a thing when the song's finished.