Dando Shaft was one of the most original bands of the early years of England's progressive-rock. Martin Jenkins on violin, Kevin Dempsey on guitar, Ted Kay on percussion, Roger Bullen on bass and Dave Cooper were basically jazz musicians playing English folk music. They dared do what John Martyn and Pentangle had only hinted to. An Evening With (Youngblood, 1970) was a tentative debut, but Dando Shaft (Neon, 1971), with Polly Bolton on vocals, showed the full extent of their innovation, crowned by Lantaloon (RCA, 1971). Really superb acoustic, mellow early 70s folk with a tinge of rock about it (though no drumkit). The first track on this album is just fabulous! The blend of male and female vocals is great, and a bit different than usual. Perhaps that's just the true uniqueness of the female vocalist at play. Her name is Polly Bolton. She had her own sound. This is the second Dando Shaft album, and I've got a disc with this and the third reissued together. The third album is similar in content and quality. A truly worthwhile, and arguably essential, item for fans of this fecund bygone genre.
01 - Coming Home To Me 02 - Sometimes 03 - Waves Upon The Ether 04 - River Boat 05 - Dewet 06 - Railway 07 - Whispering Ned 08 - Pass It On 09 - Kayope Driver 10 - Till The Morning Comes 11 - Prayer
