Polly Bolton vocals, Kevin Dempsey (acoustic guitar/vocals). Martin Jenkins (vocals, mandolin/fiddle/flute), Ted Kay (tabla/percussion), Roger Bullen (Contra bass), and Dave Cooper (guitar/vocals).
Influences
Kev, Mart, Dave, Ted, Roger, Polly, DarrellV, Andy&Jan, Fab4, JacksonC, SweetBJames, Joni, DylanT & Bob, Django, Diz, Roddy, RodG, Bert&John, Davey, Bernie&lads, Alf, Prune, Sandy, Swarb&Carthy, Biff, 'Johny wildfinger', NickD, TommyK, Pentangling, Danny+Johnstevens n all that jazz, Andres the greek, Debussy, R.V. Williams, S.Barber, Mr.Rawat, Finbar and other irish, Koutev and many Bulgarians..and a few canny lads'nlassies
Milieu: artnoun "the musical milieu in UK 1960's environment, sphere, background, backdrop, setting, context, atmosphere; location, conditions, surroundings, environs; informal stomping grounds, stamping grounds, turf."
The complicated rhythmic fabrics woven together by intricate guitar, mandolin and violin, and joined by the expressive vocals create unique progressive folk atmospheres that are definitely some of the best of the period.
Forsaking electric instruments, Dando Shaft nevertheless radiated the same level of energy as electric British folk bands like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. Driven by hand percussion and standup bass, the Coventry-based group created a unique sound.
Extract from the last gig.Dando and Friends Whitefriars Monastery Coventry 1993
Hello Dando Shaft! Still love your music after all these years. We did quite a few concerts together way back... WOuld be fun to hear from you. love Gillian McPherson
you're one of my favorite band! I have all your albums, and I spent many days laid in my house listening to you. Happily I found a reedtition in vynil, in a package that contains your albums, and it's a pleasure to share your music with my friends. thanks for your music and all that I feel when I'm listning to.
Dave Cook and I are playing at Nigel Ward's new 'Stoke Folk' club in the Humber Hotel Coventry this Thursday. Chele will be singing with us and Rod Felton is also performing. Hope you can join us for a great launch night for Coventry's latest folk venue.
LOVE ME LOVE MY WIDGET A Happy new year to you and yours and thanks again for being a friend on Myspace Hope all your dreams come true. Peace and love . Bob Young…Sweeney Todd.
Hi there Coopz, how ya doin mate, and hows life in Coventry. Do you still see Jan Budd around, and all the lot that used to go in the Freemasons. Talk to you soon bro'...Peace and Respect...Mojo!
Thanks for accepting my friendship. Great Tunes You Got Here!!! I especially like "Feel Like". Thanks for words of encouregment too!!! Keep up the great work and have a great weekend my new friend!!!
Greetings! I am ever SO glad to see you have "re-surfaced", gents! I have been a fan for a bit over 20 yrs. & have been searching for more of you & your music ever since! (live in USA) Thanks for the add & also the correspondence, Coopz :-) I'm going to check out "ProjectPlaylist"--hope to find your music there so I can add it to my playlist. I agree w/ Steeleye: plz add 'September Wine' to your song list! ..and what about 'In the Country'? THX!!
With Much Adoration & Friendship, Laura "La Mermaid"
Hi, Thanks a ton for the add to your friends list. I just became aware of Dando Shaft's music recently. Definitly under rated and very lovely and sophisticated rhythms and melody's, beutiful vocals. I'm anticipating discovering more of your great music. All The Best from Idaho William Sykes
