Cara Dillon: The Witham, Barnard Castle

HOW very astute and clever of The Witham to book the internationally-famous Irish folk singer, Cara Dillon. With her blonde hair, angelic looks and a voice as clean as mountain dew; she sings from the heart, giggles like a teenager and her banter makes her feel like an old friend.

She opened her set accompanied by her multi-talented husband Sam Lakeman with the beautifully soulful Please Don’t Go, showing off her terrific vocal range and ensuring that none of the packed-in audience were about to go anywhere.

Despite living in Somerset, Dillon retains her melodic Derry accent that runs through her songs. Her northern Irish lilt has seduced such giants such as Disney who, in 2010, asked her to sing the title song to the animated movie Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue, and to narrate the opening prologue.

She’s won countless awards and accolades and is always looking for new songs and new listeners. She certainly found a few in Barnard Castle, including me. I’m playing ThereWere Roses on You-tube for the third time as I’m writing this. Cara and Sam normally play with a full orchestra of fiddles, strings and pipes; note to Witham organisers to please, please bring her back with all the bells and whistles.

I must also mention her support act and one to watch out for; the amazing Bouzouki-playing soloist Daoiri Farrell. A man with gravel in his voice and the wisecracks of a stand-up comedian.

Helen Brown