Polly Bolton
by Pete Clemons
Polly Bolton began her music career singing in the folk clubs around Leamington Spa. This article deals with when she hooked up with acoustic folk rock band, Dando Shaft, who were well aware of her talents.
1971 saw Polly Bolton finish taking her exams at Swansea University for a B.Sc degree in zoology. Polly had been interested in conservation long before ecology became a fashion 'in' word in every trendy person's vocabulary.
With her studies over she could start getting down to work with Dando Shaft, one of the brightest new groups on the acoustic rock scene.
Multi instrumentalist, Martin Jenkins (fiddle, flute, mandolin, cello) and a very highly respected musician mentioned during 1971 that, 'apart from a reasonable following in the north, the band haven't yet had as strong an impact as they might had have'. Dando Shaft were described by the music press as 'producing an exuberant, joyous sound'.
Dando Shaft's album on RCA's Neon label retains the spontaneous gaiety, though Martin said: 'the songs are more carefully arranged, with less jamming, plus the addition of Polly – a girl from Leamington Spa – who is the latest graduate of that remarkable singer making system we call the provincial folk clubs'.
Although Polly hadn't done much solo work, before she joined Dando, she was noticed by enough people for news of her prowess to have leaked down to London, usually the last place in Britain to know about promising new talent.
Polly had sang for a while with a folk choir called the Fenny Compton Coke Shovellers which she called 'multi-harmony arrangements of folk evergreens'. She had known Martin and the rest of Dando when they were in Coventry, and she mentioned: 'she'd always planned to join them when the time ripe'.
'Well', said a national music magazine, 'the time is ripe now, and so is her voice, and it comes out on record as a rich mature instrument belying her youth and apparent inexperience. Perhaps the fact that most of her singing, which has been specialised - and far from being in a group context, maybe accounts for the extremely able way she has integrated herself into a group that already seemed stuffed to overflowing with talent before she joined them'.
The beauty of her singing only went to prove that there were 'floor singers' male and female, in abundance, in many provincial clubs who could lick some of the highly respected soloists and concert performers in London in any fair contest.
Of course, until 1971, her studies have limited what she can do with the band. And this shows on the record which includes more songs without her than with her. But in addition to her lovely singing she displays a real talent for harmony within the context of the very tight vocal sound that Dando Shaft produce.
Polly also had to get used to singing through a PA, something which her folk training hadn't accustomed her to but essential in some of the ballrooms and heavy rock clubs where the band played.
Polly also sang on the Dando Shaft albums Lantaloon and Kingdom.
Polly Bolton with Dando Shaft
Polly Bolton's albums
NO GOING BACK - CD / Vinyl
Polly's solo album produced by Ashley Hutchings in 1989.
WOODBINE AND IVY (CD only)
The first and some say the best of Polly's collaboration with John Shepherd (keyboards) and Steve Dunachie (fiddle). Featuring Sue Harris on oboe and dulcimer. Traditional songs. 1990
SONGS FROM A COLD OPEN FIELD - CD
More songs from Polly, John and Steve, mainly traditional, featuring Paul Dunmall on sax. 1991
LOVELIEST OF TREES - CD
A collection of beautiful song settings from A.E.Housman's "Shropshire Lad", written by John Shepherd and Steve Dunachie. Features readings by Sir Nigel Hawthorne. Very well received by the Housman Society. 1996
VIEW ACROSS THE BAY - CD
Polly Bolton and legendary jazz saxophonist Paul Dunmall collaborate on this largely improvisational collection of vocals and various wind instruments. Also features Peter Brandt on double bass and Salah Dawson Miller on percussion. 1996
A WALK ON THE BEACH - CD
Polly Bolton and Paul Dunmall improvised pieces, bit more scary than the previous album! Features the wonderful Bulgarian singer, Kalinka Vulcheva. Also Peter Brandt on double bass and Salah Dawson Miller on percussion. 2003
THE MAGIC OF SONG - CD
All lead vocals Polly Bolton. Keyboards and guitars, Chris Gibbons and Kevin Dempsey.
Details on her website http://www.pollybolton.co.uk/sales.html
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