Biography
Dando Shaft operated without amplification yet matched the drive of electrified British folk acts such as Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. The Coventry ensemble built its distinctive sound on the hand percussion supplied by Ted Kay together with the upright bass lines of Roger Bullen, resulting in elaborate rhythmic designs and layered sonic detail. Originally a quintet, the lineup centered on the interwoven guitar and vocal work of Dave Cooper and Kevin Dempsey alongside the mandolin, violin, and vocals of Martin Jenkins.
The group issued its first recording, An Evening with Dando Shaft, in 1970. Shortly afterward it welcomed Leamington Spa-born singer Polly Bolton, already known for her earlier association with June Tabor, and captured the self-titled Dando Shaft the following year. Bolton introduced Bulgarian stylistic elements, yet neither release achieved significant commercial traction. A third album, Lantaloon, appeared in 1972, after which the band dissolved.
In the years that followed, Martin Jenkins joined forces with former Fairport Convention fiddler Dave Swarbrick in Whippersnapper, while Polly Bolton pursued an independent path. The original members reconvened long enough to produce Kingdom in 1977, but the record did not yield the commercial success they sought, and Dando Shaft once again went its separate ways.
The group issued its first recording, An Evening with Dando Shaft, in 1970. Shortly afterward it welcomed Leamington Spa-born singer Polly Bolton, already known for her earlier association with June Tabor, and captured the self-titled Dando Shaft the following year. Bolton introduced Bulgarian stylistic elements, yet neither release achieved significant commercial traction. A third album, Lantaloon, appeared in 1972, after which the band dissolved.
In the years that followed, Martin Jenkins joined forces with former Fairport Convention fiddler Dave Swarbrick in Whippersnapper, while Polly Bolton pursued an independent path. The original members reconvened long enough to produce Kingdom in 1977, but the record did not yield the commercial success they sought, and Dando Shaft once again went its separate ways.
Albums
Live
