Wanderer (Cara Dillon album)

Wanderer is the seventh studio album by Irish folk singer Cara Dillon. It was released on October 13, 2017 on Charcoal Records.

Wanderer
Studio album by
Cara Dillon
ReleasedOctober 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Recorded2017
StudioRandom Sound and Cooper Hall Somerset, UK
GenreFolk, Celtic, Irish traditional
Length43:45
LabelCharcoal Records
ProducerSam Lakeman
Cara Dillon chronology
Upon a Winter's Night
(2016)		 Wanderer
(2017)
Singles from Wanderer
  1. "Blackwater Side"
    Released: September 22, 2017
  2. "Dubhdara"
    Released: October 6, 2017
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian[1]

Background

Dillon announced the album on her website and social media on September 13, 2017 by revealing the title and artwork.[2][3] In an interview with the Belfast Live, she explained that she had not planned to release an album in 2017, but a period of spontaneous recording in the summer resulted in an album taking shape.[2]

The album was recorded at Random Sound and Cooper Hall, Somerset, and predominantly features piano and acoustic guitar accompaniment by Sam Lakeman, with guest musical contributions by Justin Adams, Kris Drever, Niall Murphy, Ben Nicholls and John Smith.[4]

The album features seven traditional ballads, two original songs and a cover version of Shaun Davey’s "Dubhdarra". Both of the album’s original songs explore the theme of emigration – historically, and in the present day – as do many of the traditional songs included.[5]

Speaking about the inspiration for the album in a statement released by Folk Radio UK, Dillon discussed the album’s main themes of departure and longing for home, saying:

Having lived outside of Ireland for most of my adult life, I continue to identify with these songs of departure and longing for home on a very personal level. Several of the songs refer to places close to where I grew up, making them particularly emotional to sing. It feels like a gift to be able to share these stories as they continue to move and inspire a new generation of people.[6]

In a Belfast Telegraph interview, Dillon said that she views it as a very different album to her previous releases, saying:

It's very stripped back and simple and I think it sounds a bit more mature than everything else I've ever recorded - almost like we've grown up.[7]

Release and critical reception

The album entered the Independent Album Breakers Chart at No.1,[8] and entered the UK Official Album Chart at No. 89.[9]

It was well-received by critics upon release. The Guardian's Neil Spencer described the album with the headline "gorgeous homesick blues" and awarded the album four stars.[1] Folking.com called the album Dillon’s "most reflective and most musically introspective album to date"[10] and The Irish Echo noted a difference in tone between the album and its predecessors, saying it had "a subdued, simpler sound – one that also allows for a wider emotional range in her vocals."[11]

Track listing
Wanderer[4][12]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Tern and the Swallow"
4:00
2."Blackwater Side"
  • Trad. Arr.
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
4:10
3."The Leaving Song"
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
3:22
4."The Banks of the Foyle"
  • Trad. Arr.
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
5:40
5."Both Sides the Tweed"
3:49
6."Sailor Boy"
  • Trad. Arr.
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
3:46
7."The Faughan Side"
  • Trad. Arr.
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
5:12
8."The Banks of the Bann"
  • Trad. Arr.
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
3:31
9."Lakeside Swans"
  • Dillon
  • Lakeman
4:56
10."Dubhdara"
  • Shaun Davey
5:21
Total length:43:45

Personnel
Musicians[4]
  • Justin Adams – electric guitar
  • Cara Dillon – vocals
  • Sam Lakeman – producer, piano, acoustic guitar, organ
  • Niall Murphy – fiddle
  • Ben Nicholls – bass, double bass
  • John Smith – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Production [4]
  • Matt Austin – photography
  • Mike 'Spike' Drake – mixing
  • Sam Lakeman – recording, production, mixing
  • Tim Young – mastering
  • Florian Zumfelde – art design and layout
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References
  1. Spencer, Neil. "Cara Dillon: Wanderer review - gorgeous homesick blues". Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  2. "Cara Dillon Facebook". Cara Dillon Facebook. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  3. "New album - Wanderer". Cara Dillon Official Website. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. "Cara Dillon - Wanderer". Discogs. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  5. "Cara Dillon announces new album Wanderer". Fatea. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  6. "Chatting With...Cara Dillon". Folk Radio UK. 12 October 2017.
  7. "Made in China: Why Dungiven songstress Cara Dillon is a big hit in Asia". Belfast Telegraph. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  8. "Independent Album Breakers Chart 20 Oct - 26 Oct 17". Official Charts. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  9. "Independent Album Breakers Chart 20 Oct - 26 Oct 17". Official Charts. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  10. "CARA DILLON – Wanderer Review". Folking.com. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  11. "Dillon's 7th album is immersive experience". The Irish Echo. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  12. "Wanderer by Cara Dillon on Apple Music". iTunes Store. United Kingdom.
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