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DALLA

Cornish Music

About Me

For latest news, gig list, CD sales, downloads and more about Dalla visit( www.dalla.co.uk )

Cornwall, jutting out into the Atlantic halfway between Ireland and Brittany, stands at the sharp end of the island it shares with Scotland, Wales, and England.

Cornwall’s surprisingly strange, yet strangely familiar music has its roots in ancient British/Celtic culture, but also buzzes with a host of other influences swept in by the surrounding tides.

Dalla have a solid grounding in this unique tradition, and a pivotal position at the heart of its phenomenal revival of recent years.


What others say about Dalla:

‘Dalla’s performances are both inventive and enchanting, their music celebrates Cornish culture in an upbeat and infectious voice’ (The Guardian)

‘Hypnotic…sinister…downright funky…a joy’ ‘Everybody is obviously having a blast’ (folking.com)

‘I was mighty impressed. Very original arrangements. Lovely singing and playing… a clever bunch of people!’ (Andy Irvine - Planxty)

‘Dalla’s music creates a rich tapestry which once experienced is difficult to forget.’ (Froots)

‘Cracking…should be widely heard.’ (Traditional Music Maker)

‘Flawlessly performed’ ‘A remarkable album’ (Cornish World)

‘I fell in love with More Salt right from the outset’ ‘Familiar yet intriguingly new’ (Folk On Tap)

‘Essential for any collection of Cornish Music’ ‘Highly accomplished, original and traditional’ (justcornish.com)

‘Traditional, modern and magical.’ ‘I can’t begin to put into words the wonder that I felt as I listened to the CD.’ (Jim Wearne)

‘Beautiful stuff.’ ‘Cannot be faulted’ (Cornish World)

‘If you asked me what Cornwall sounded like, I would have to say this: Dalla!’ (CKFM Radio)

‘Fantastic…if Cornish music had a Top Ten, this CD would be number one.’ (justcornish.com)

‘An extraordinary band at the forefront of a Celtic music revolution in Cornwall’ ‘Intoxicating noze looan dance music.’ ‘I want to hear it again. Now, please.’ ‘A superb piece of work.’ (greenmanreview.com)

‘I love it.’ ‘If you don't get up and dance… your dancing days are over’ (tnt-audio.com)

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Member Since: 2/6/2007
Band Website: dalla.co.uk
Band Members:

NEIL DAVEY (bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle)

‘Neil Davey is a fabulously talented string player on mandolin and bouzouki, composing many of the instrumentals with a flavor of his native Cornwall (artistdirect.com)

‘Neil Davey can pick out a melody at phenomenal speeds… still finding time to introduce stylish triplet decorations.’ (Irish Music Magazine)

Neil Davey and his brothers kick started the revival in Cornish traditional music in the 1970s with their band Bucca, and went on to gain a wealth of experience with bands in the wider Celtic scene, including Anam and The Lorraine Jordan Band. He has played throughout the world, appearing alongside legendary names such as Altan, Donal Lunny, Dougie Maclean, Martin Hayes, Solas and Patrick Street. His compositions are widely played and recorded.

HILARY COLEMAN (clarinets and vocals)

‘Hilary Coleman’s vocals have the same ethereal floating qualities as found with Gwalarn’s Veronique Autret and Annie Ebril’ (Froots)

‘The clarinet dances around the melodies and between the octaves’ (greenmanreview.com)

Hilary Coleman grew up amidst Cornwall’s irrepressible pub singing tradition. She later co-founded groundbreaking bands such as Gwaryoryon and Sowena. She is now one of the leading authorities on Cornish traditional music and her company Cumpas Ltd. has an impressive track record in promoting Cornish music events and education. In 2004 she became a bard of the Cornish Gorseth.

BEC APPLEBEE (vocals, percussion)

‘The vocal pairing of Hilary Coleman and Bec Applebee is a great match’ (tnt-audio.com)

‘Coleman’s voice dips and swoops to great effect shadowed every step of the way by Applebee’s wonderfully sympathetic harmony line.’ (greenmanreview.com)

Already well known and loved internationally by audiences of Dalla, and Kneehigh Theatre. Bec provides the perfect counterpart to Hilary’s vocals in the Cornish question and answer ‘Treiz ha Ganow’ songs for dancing, and does a mean Cornish 'scoot' dance herself!

STEVE HUNT (vocals, guitar, crowdy crawn)

Recently washed up on the shores of Lake Dalla in his crowdy crawn (a drum known elsewhere as a 'bodhran'), Steve is no stranger to near enough everyone on the UK traditional/folk music circuit. Other current and past collaborations include: The Reeltones, Steve Hunt Sabateurs, Alan Burton, Kerensa Wragg, Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and Robb Johnson.

See what Steve has to say about the tour so far here!... Steve's Dalla Tour Diaries


Influences: Planxty, Bleizi Ruz, Groupa, Bothy Band, Ti Jazz, Triona Ni Dhomnaill, Battlefield Band, Tannahill Weavers, Chieftains, Jan Garbarek, Brenda Wootton, Alan Stivell, AbDeli, Gwerz, Lunassa, Fela Kuti, Kate Rusby, Altan, La Bottine Sourriante, Ayub Ogada, Skolvan, Bundu Boys, Sidney Bechet, Ali Farka Toure, I Suonatori, Kevin Burke, Andy Irvine, Stella (Rambisai) Chiweshe, Boys of the Lough, Silly Sisters, Filarfolket, Värttinä, and millions more
Sounds Like:



Record Label: Dalla Music
Type of Label: Indie