Shadows Across The Moon
Dando Shaft
Talking Elephant Records
Some of us have been nagging some of them about this for years. And now, only several centuries (it seems) on, along comes a NEW Dando Shaft album. New to everyone outside Italy and their immediate circle of fans that is, anyway. To say that “Shadows Across The Moon” has had a chequered history and a long gestation is an understatement. The story of its evolution is a film screenplay in itself.
Dando Shaft evolved from a truly vibrant Coventry Folk Scene in the 1960’s. Kevin Dempsey and Dave Cooper were in at the beginning and quickly drafted in a gifted multi instrumentalist in Martin Jenkins. Roger Bullen and Ted Kay were added and Polly Bolton completed the original line up. Dando swiftly acquired cult status and a loyal following. Then as often happens, they began to drift apart and into other projects. But they were never forgotten.
“Shadows Across The Moon” was the brainchild of one Gigi Bresciani. He had persuaded the Dandos to reconvene long after they had finally disbanded. He dangled the appetising carrot of a recorded “live” concert in Bergamo, Italy. They agreed and with Whippersnapper's Chris Leslie guesting on violin, the live set was recorded at Sala Piatti, Citta Alta in 1989. It was a one off limited release in 1992 and never travelled much outside Italy,(where English bands like Dando Shaft and Whippersnapper have always been admired).
And there the story might have ended. Thankfully, it didn’t. Fast forward to 2020 and Kevin Dempsey with the aid of Talking Elephant records have finally produced and remastered a version of Shadows Across The Moon . You can still buy the original on Discogs if you’re lucky, but this new version is available to all and is accompanied by comprehensive sleeve notes. A few of the tracks are “live” versions of Dando songs featured on other albums and Cold Wind was originally a 7” single.
It is difficult to define this sound musically. Difficult to pin down any one genre. The instrumentation is at times as layered and as complex as anything that the Incredible String Band recorded. There are also elements redolent of Pentangle. There are echoes of jazz, freeform and Prog. As indefinable as a shadow across the moon.
This is best encapsulated in the last and longest track, "Coming Back to Stay." after a vocal start exchanging catchy harmonies the musicians plunge off into what certainly sounds like improvised solos. swapping and exchanging the central theme expertly. And eliciting deserved applause as they do so. There's a little bit of Suite for Judy Blue Eyes about this track as it spanks along. Until the final section, when it fair rips and becomes 100% unique Dando.
If you ever wondered what all the fuss was about-now you can hear in full remastered stereo. When talking to someone during the interval of Kev’s Guest slot at Nuneaton Folk Club in February 2020 I mentioned to them that he used to be in Dando Shaft . That someone said “Who?” Well this is who, mate! Turn it up, sit back and listen to really talented musicians at the top of their game, entertaining and improvising. It's a tough act to follow. In truth, it always was.
The album is available in CD format only. Copies can be ordered by contacting via Kevin Dempsey's via his web site or messaging him via his Facebook Page.
