The Celtic Music Radio Album of the Week commencing Saturday 5 July is the new CD from Irish singer Cara Dillon called A Thousand Hearts.

This is Cara Dillon’s first album in five years.  Cara has a rare talent that you only come across a handful times in your whole life. Her staggeringly beautiful voice has the ability to reach inside the soul of a song and imbue material with not only profound sweetness but also poignancy and depth.

Born in Dungiven in 1975 she was brought up in a close musical family immersed in the rich cultural heritage of her native Co. Derry.

Having won the All Ireland Traditional Singing Trophy aged only 14 she went on to sing with Oige, De Dannan and then Equation. It was in this band that she met her husband and musical collaborator Sam Lakeman. The combination of Cara’s expressive vocals and Lakeman’s rippling piano and fresh production squeezed new life into ancient material. Their original songs sit happily alongside the traditional, reinforcing the debt they owe, whilst pointing to a distinct and distinguished musical identity all of their own.

Whether she’s singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or their original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer.

Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she’ll be there for a very long time.

Support Celtic Music Radio and purchase Cara’s A Thousand Hearts album here.

Album of the Week, Saturday 5 July 12 noon and 12 midnight and Monday 7 July 7.00pm.