The Dolmen
Encyclopedia
The Dolmen are a Weymouth, Dorset
, UK medieval/folk-rock band that incorporate elements of Celtic, folk, pagan-themed, and historically based musical works into their largely original repertoire. As of 2011, group members are singer and songwriter founder/member Tony (Taloch) Jameson, flautist and vocalist Keri Pinney, guitarist/singer-songwriter/lyricist Josh Elliott, bassist and vocalist Kayleigh Marchant, drummer Chris Jones, and additional percussionist Chris Pinney.
The majority of the band's songs and music are composed and produced by multi-instrumentalist Jameson. Guitarist Josh Elliott has collaborated with Jameson on the most recent albums, contributing lyrics, musical composition and production assistance. Essential, but non-musician members of the band are lyric contributor and collaborator, Mark Vine; Kirsty Kelly, long time sound engineer; Richard Edwards, Tour Manager, and Marloes Visser, General Manager.
in 1995 and 1997, the Farnham Jazz and Guilford Festivals, The Children of Artemis
Witchfest, and The Pagan Federation
festivals. They have also appeared frequently at Stonehenge
in support of The Dolmen Grove, a United Paths Pagan organization based in the South of England.
In 2007, members of The Dolmen were invited special guests at the first New Seven Wonders of the World
ceremonies in Lisbon
, Portugal
, Jameson's original composition having been chosen as the official anthem of that year's "Wonders" contest.
In 2011, the band debuted the continental European leg of their "Storm Tour" with performances at the Elf Fantasy Fair
in Haarzuilens
, The Netherlands.
The Dolmen also appeared over the summer of 2011 at the Keltisch Midzomer Festival, Fantastyval Wouwse Plantage, the Sneek Festival; and in September 2011, at the finale of the Highland Games, in Hank, Netherlands.
In 2008, the band released "Winter Solstice
", a collection of original carols and songs inspired by the ancient pre-Christian themes of the season, drawing heavily upon the pagan traditions and mythology of the British Isles associated with the celebration of Yule
.
The Dolmen's early 2010 album, The Crabchurch Conspiracy
is a departure in many ways from their general offerings in that it is a musical re-telling of the events of a little known but decisive battle of the English Civil War
taking place in February of 1645 at the strategic Dorset seaport of Weymouth. Based on the book of the same name by author/historian and Dolmen collaborator Mark Vine, the album utilizes both song and spoken word to recount the daring exploits of the Sydenham brothers, William and Francis, who thwarted the Royalist
conspirators in their bid to seize the town, culminating in The Battle of Weymouth. Professor Ronald Hutton
of the University of Bristol, a leading expert on 17th century Britain, speaks a stirring introduction to the album.
In August 2010, the band released their first double album, "Spirits of the Sea", a collection of original songs, sea chanteys, and atmospheric musical arrangements interspered with tales and narrations of the historical exploits of several well known pirates, buccaneers and 'gentlemen of the marque'. Among the album's Poole, Devon, Dorset and Bristol UK privateers are Blackbeard
, Calico Jack
, William Lewis, Cap'n Ned Lowe, Henry Strangways (pirate)
, and the sinister husband and wife team of Eric Cobham and Maria Lindsey
. The album also celebrates in song and story the infamous Harry Paye
of Poole, whose life and adventures are spoken of on the album by a linear descendent, Mr. Bob Paye. Mr. Paye, a retired educator, lives still within the area from which his famous ancestor sailed forth. "Paye Day", now a charitable event, is celebrated each Summer in Poole in honor of their famous pirate son.
Aside from the band's collective efforts, Taloch has released several solo albums over the years. Among the most notable is "Crowdance", a largely shamanistic themed journey that explores his ancestral Native American heritage, incorporating also ancient spiritual elements of his Welsh roots.
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, UK medieval/folk-rock band that incorporate elements of Celtic, folk, pagan-themed, and historically based musical works into their largely original repertoire. As of 2011, group members are singer and songwriter founder/member Tony (Taloch) Jameson, flautist and vocalist Keri Pinney, guitarist/singer-songwriter/lyricist Josh Elliott, bassist and vocalist Kayleigh Marchant, drummer Chris Jones, and additional percussionist Chris Pinney.
The majority of the band's songs and music are composed and produced by multi-instrumentalist Jameson. Guitarist Josh Elliott has collaborated with Jameson on the most recent albums, contributing lyrics, musical composition and production assistance. Essential, but non-musician members of the band are lyric contributor and collaborator, Mark Vine; Kirsty Kelly, long time sound engineer; Richard Edwards, Tour Manager, and Marloes Visser, General Manager.
History
The Dolmen began rather informally in or about 1990, with their first public appearance at The Duke of Albany pub in Weymouth, Dorset, where they debuted as a mainly folk music oriented group. Since that time, they have become well known on the local and surrounding areas music scene, appearing over the years for repeat performances at many major UK music venues and festivals; among them the Glastonbury FestivalGlastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 1995 and 1997, the Farnham Jazz and Guilford Festivals, The Children of Artemis
Children of Artemis
The Children of Artemis is a UK-based Witchcraft membership organisation that organises Witchfests; regular Wiccan and Witchcraft themed festivals and conferences, periodically held in London, Glasgow and Cardiff. They publish the magazine Witchcraft & Wicca.-History:The Children of Artemis first...
Witchfest, and The Pagan Federation
Pagan Federation
The Pagan Federation is a UK-based voluntary organisation, formed in 1971, which campaigns for the religious rights of Neo-pagans and educates both civic bodies and the general public about Paganism. It is active throughout Europe and organises a large number of Pagan events. The organisation...
festivals. They have also appeared frequently at Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
in support of The Dolmen Grove, a United Paths Pagan organization based in the South of England.
In 2007, members of The Dolmen were invited special guests at the first New Seven Wonders of the World
New Seven Wonders of the World
New7Wonders of the World was an initiative started in 2001 by the Swiss corporation New7Wonders Foundation to choose Wonders of the World from a selection of 200 existing monuments. A popularity poll was led by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber and organized by the New7Wonders Foundation based in...
ceremonies in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Jameson's original composition having been chosen as the official anthem of that year's "Wonders" contest.
In 2011, the band debuted the continental European leg of their "Storm Tour" with performances at the Elf Fantasy Fair
Elf Fantasy Fair
The Elf Fantasy Fair is an outdoor fantasy event in the Netherlands which is traditionally held in April since 2001, but from 2009 it is held twice per year in Haarzuilens and in Arcen . The Haarzuilens fair is the largest fantasy event in Europe and attracts some 22,500 visitors every year...
in Haarzuilens
Haarzuilens
Haarzuilens is a small village in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Utrecht, and lies about 8 km west of Utrecht. It was a separate municipality until 1954, when it was joined to the municipality of Vleuten....
, The Netherlands.
The Dolmen also appeared over the summer of 2011 at the Keltisch Midzomer Festival, Fantastyval Wouwse Plantage, the Sneek Festival; and in September 2011, at the finale of the Highland Games, in Hank, Netherlands.
Music
The Dolmen are an independent, self-published group. Their musical style covers a wide range from traditional Celtic folk music to electric rock, including modern interpretations of historical material and events.In 2008, the band released "Winter Solstice
Winter solstice
Winter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...
", a collection of original carols and songs inspired by the ancient pre-Christian themes of the season, drawing heavily upon the pagan traditions and mythology of the British Isles associated with the celebration of Yule
Yule
Yule or Yuletide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic people as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January...
.
The Dolmen's early 2010 album, The Crabchurch Conspiracy
Crabchurch Conspiracy
The Crabchurch Conspiracy was a plot during the English Civil War which took place in the town of Weymouth, Dorset during February 1645. Around 250 men were killed during the battle, which aimed to bring the town back under the control of the King's army....
is a departure in many ways from their general offerings in that it is a musical re-telling of the events of a little known but decisive battle of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
taking place in February of 1645 at the strategic Dorset seaport of Weymouth. Based on the book of the same name by author/historian and Dolmen collaborator Mark Vine, the album utilizes both song and spoken word to recount the daring exploits of the Sydenham brothers, William and Francis, who thwarted the Royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
conspirators in their bid to seize the town, culminating in The Battle of Weymouth. Professor Ronald Hutton
Ronald Hutton
Ronald Hutton is an English historian who specializes in the study of Early Modern Britain, British folklore, pre-Christian religion and contemporary Paganism. A reader in the subject at the University of Bristol, Hutton has published fourteen books and has appeared on British television and radio...
of the University of Bristol, a leading expert on 17th century Britain, speaks a stirring introduction to the album.
In August 2010, the band released their first double album, "Spirits of the Sea", a collection of original songs, sea chanteys, and atmospheric musical arrangements interspered with tales and narrations of the historical exploits of several well known pirates, buccaneers and 'gentlemen of the marque'. Among the album's Poole, Devon, Dorset and Bristol UK privateers are Blackbeard
Blackbeard
Edward Teach , better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies....
, Calico Jack
Calico Jack
John Rackham , commonly known as Calico Jack, was an English pirate captain operating in the Bahamas during the early 18th century...
, William Lewis, Cap'n Ned Lowe, Henry Strangways (pirate)
Henry Strangways (pirate)
Henry Strangways , also sometimes known as Strangwish, was an English "Gentleman Pirate" who attacked Spanish and other shipping. He was repeatedly imprisoned, and pardoned by highly-placed friends, during his approximately eight-year piratical career, from about 1552 to 1560...
, and the sinister husband and wife team of Eric Cobham and Maria Lindsey
Eric Cobham and Maria Lindsey
Eric Cobham a pirate in the early 18th century who with his wife, Maria Lindsey, practiced piracy in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from their base in Newfoundland...
. The album also celebrates in song and story the infamous Harry Paye
Harry Paye
Henry Paye , also known as Harry, Page or Arripaye , was a privateer and smuggler from Poole, Dorset in the late 14th and early 15th century, who became a commander in the Cinque Ports fleet....
of Poole, whose life and adventures are spoken of on the album by a linear descendent, Mr. Bob Paye. Mr. Paye, a retired educator, lives still within the area from which his famous ancestor sailed forth. "Paye Day", now a charitable event, is celebrated each Summer in Poole in honor of their famous pirate son.
Aside from the band's collective efforts, Taloch has released several solo albums over the years. Among the most notable is "Crowdance", a largely shamanistic themed journey that explores his ancestral Native American heritage, incorporating also ancient spiritual elements of his Welsh roots.
Discography
- 1994: Dolmenation
- 1995: Spirits of the Land
- 1999: Above & Below
- 2005: Dolmen Folk
- 2007: Songs From the Cauldron
- 2008: Ah Ry Ah
- 2008: Winter Solstice
- 2010: Crabchurch ConspiracyCrabchurch ConspiracyThe Crabchurch Conspiracy was a plot during the English Civil War which took place in the town of Weymouth, Dorset during February 1645. Around 250 men were killed during the battle, which aimed to bring the town back under the control of the King's army....
, based on a historical work by Mark Vine - 2010: Spirits of The Sea
- 2011: Whispering Winds