Histories
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A brief history from Wikipedia
Forming in Coventry, England, in 1968, the original Dando Shaft was an all-male quintet composed of the two guitar/vocalists Kevin Dempsey and Dave Cooper, multi-instrumentalist Martin Jenkins, bassist Roger Bullen, and tabla/percussionist Ted Kay.[1] The band’s name was taken from that of the title character of a 1965 novel by Don Calhoun.[2] Performing in local English venues for the next two years while remaining active in the folk revival scene, the band was offered a recording deal with Young Blood Records and in 1970 they recorded their debut, An Evening With Dando Shaft. The album was well-received, drawing immediate comparison to the work of fellow folk revival musicians Pentangle,[3] but demonstrating more of an emphasis on original folk compositions as well as showcasing a more progressive use of bluegrassy multi-instrumentation (especially due to Martin Jenkins’s diverse talents) and Balkan (particularly Bulgarian) rhythmic structures.[4][5]
Comparisons to Pentangle were only enhanced when, after moving to London in 1970, the band grew in October of that year to include Leamington Spa singer Polly Bolton, who had previously sung with June Tabor.[2] Bolton’s contributions to the band received praise with her voice described as pure and expressive and Bolton herself has been described as a half-forgotten female vocalist of the era ranking alongside Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee as well as other contemporary legends like Shirley Collins, Sandy Denny, and Maddy Prior.[6] Creating an even more favorable impression on critics, Dando Shaft were soon signed to RCA‘s progressive offshoot Neon, and in 1971 they created the eponymous album, Dando Shaft.
Despite warm critical reviews of the first two albums, neither achieved a great deal of commercial success.[5] Nevertheless, in 1972 Dando Shaft was moved from Neon to the RCA parent label to release Lantaloon. Receiving fewer accolades for this effort than for the previous two albums, and with even less prospect of commercial success, the band began to move in the direction of mainstream rock eventually resulting in the single “Sun Clog Dance”. This shift, however, caused internal dissension and the band soon broke up with Dempsey and Bolton forming a duo for a time in the USA, and Jenkins joining Hedgehog Pie on the Newcastle-upon-Tyne label Rubber Records.[1]
A few years later Rubber extended a recording deal to the duo of Jenkins and Cooper, and at this point Dempsey, Bolton, and Kay expressed an interest in recording again as Dando Shaft. Rubber was supportive of this decision and the band’s short-lived reunion resulted in the 1977 release of Kingdom, a significantly more electric offering.[5] This album also included a number of prominent guest musicians including Pentangle double-bassist Danny Thompson as well as drummer John Stevens, saxophone player Paul Dunmall, electric bassist Rod Clements, and keyboard player Tommy Kearton all performing on individual tracks.[2]
During the mid-1980s Jenkins and Dempsey reunited as members of Whippersnapper with Dave Swarbrick and Chris Leslie, occasionally performing Dando Shaft material. During this time Bolton also engaged in a successful solo career,[2] eventually joining The Albion Band.[5] Jenkins and Cooper also performed with Pentangle’s Bert Jansch for a period during which time Bolton and Jansch had a brief 1-year relationship.[7] Jenkins and Jansch released Carry Your Smile in 1984.[5]
At last in 1989, at the encouragement of an Italian promoter, Dando Shaft re-formed for a week-long concert series in Italy.[1] An Italian live album Shadows Across the Moon was released in 1993 from material recorded during this session.[5]
Most recently, compilation/anthology albums of Dando Shaft material have been released with Reaping the Harvest released in 1990 and Anthology released in 2002 (rereleased in 2005).[1]
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Thought this was lost so happy it’s not:
Named after a character in a Don Calhoun novel, Dando Shaft began as a five-piece folk-band formed in Coventry in 1968 and comprised of Kevin Dempsey ( guitar,vocals). Martin Jenkins (vocals, flute, mandolin,fiddle, guitar), Ted Kay (tabla,percussion), Roger Bullen (bass), and Dave Cooper (guitar,vocals).
Formed from the diversity of musical influences of the sixties and the folk revival. They took acoustic instrumentation and the folk roots tradition and created a unique sound of their own, high on musical dexterity and compositional ability.
Preferring to play ‘unplugged’ with none of the instruments electrically amplified, Dando Shaft initiated a unique mixture of acoustic folk with driving rhythms and impeccable inventive musicianship. Using acoustic instrumentation, clear vocals and delectable harmonies allied to complex and unusual yet melodic and lilting song structures.
The first album was released in 1970 on the Youngblood label, and gained a release in the US through the major MCA corporation. In October 1970, Dando Shaft acquired the services of a female singer, Polly Bolton from Leamington Spa, who had a pure and very expressive voice. Polly had previously sung with June Tabor. A change of label to RCA’s short-lived Progressive imprint Neon in 1971 for the second album, Dando Shaft, followed by a release on RCA proper for the third, Lantaloon in 1972.
After the band split in the mid 1970′s Martin and Kevin had great success in the band Whippersnapper which also numbered Dave Swarbrick in its ranks. Polly Bolton in turn followed a spell out of the business by launching a successful solo career. A reunion Dando album the critically acclaimed folk/jazz “Kingdom”1977 featured contributions from Danny Thompson Double Bass, John Stevens drums, Tommy Kearton keyboards, Paul Dunmall sax and Rod Clements Electric Bass.Story
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 sound marked by intricate patterns and complex textures.
THE MUSIC WILL ALLWAYS BE MAGIC
“The first Dandoshaft album occurred as a result of a cancellation at Pye studios by Jonny Silvo. The bands manager Sandy Glennon suggested we could use the studio time to make a demo. After the first take the session producer Miki Dallon called us into the booth and announced “great lets make an album!”. The eight tunes were played live no overdubs, at the session in little over four hours.
A second session was booked at a later date, to mix the tracks and correct the one fluff we made in “Drops of brandy”. At this session a contract and lawyer were produced and as a result of ‘support offered’ by Mr Dallon and Young Blood Music we signed away 60% publishing and 100% of mechanical royalties. We quickly realised the promises and offers were lies and foam and resolved to get away from MD and YBM, however we had an album release, “An Evening with Dandoshaft” to support our live shows. I contest this original contract was presented in a way that was duplicitous and the terms were unfair and unrepresentational and therefore illegal.
We were on a musical mission and as a result of Martin’s session work with “Matthews Southern Comfort” we signed with new management Axel Ents. (Howard&Blakely) This resulted in a new recording contract with RCA Neon, a move to London and the second album. The contract was for six albums over three years with an advance paid yearly. We were buddies with John Martyn and hoped that he or Jo Boyd would produce it. We thought we had seen the last of MD but in the event Axel Ents, the “damagers” booked him as producer. This put an initial damper on the sessions but “the show must go on” so the album was made. Great songs, hot tunes and the vocal addition of Polly made a worthy mix. In 1970 it made the top 50 in US Cashbox not bad for a little acid-folk group.
“Lantaloon” was made against a background of widening splits in the band. Partly produced at Sound Technique studios with John Woods. The band broke up shortly after its release in ’72 and all contracts for future releases were ended. In the event MD&YBM kept original tape copies of all the sessions, which they continue to trade in various forms to the present day.
“An Evening with Dandoshaft 1970″ must have been one of the cheapest albums MD ever produced.” Coopz 2012
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Posted in British Folk Music The Music of Dando Shaft world music
This is one current Chatbot version.
“Dando Shaft were a British folk-jazz band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band featured Dave Dando (guitar, mandolin, lead vocal), Alan Tunbridge (bass guitar, flute), Bob Sargeant (keyboards) and John Bidwell (drums). They released four albums during their career: “Dando Shaft”, “New Day”, “An Old English Dream” and “Live at Fairfield Halls”. Yes, there are several videos of Dando Shaft’s music available on YouTube.
1. “Rise Up Like the Sun” 2. “An Evening with Dando Shaft” 3. “The Sun is in My Eyes” 4. “Summertime Blues” 5. “See Your Face Again” 6. “Beeside” 7. “Trouble with a Capital T” 8. “Lights in my Mind (Live)” 9.”Gathering of Nations (Live)” 10.”My Lady of The Night Sky (Live)”
Dando Shaft was a British folk-jazz band that was active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The members of the band were Clive Palmer, Chris Adams, Mike Evans, Alan Tunbridge and Jackie McAuley. They had several UK hits including “Anji”, “Lalena” and “Daytime Nightime”. Yes, there are several videos of Dando Shaft on YouTube.”