The Deighton Family

An eclectic range of music serves as the repertoire of the Yorkshire, England-based Deighton Family. Led by father Dave, who plays melodeon, harmonica, fiddle and guitar, and sings lead, and, mother Josie, who plays acoustic guitar and bodhran, the seven-piece group blends Cajun two-steps, bluegrass breakdowns, folk ballads, blues and roots rock & roll into their infectious, good-natured, sound. In a review of their second album, Acoustic Music to Suit Most Occasions, released in 1988 and named National Public Radio's "record of the year," The San Francisco Bay Guardian wrote, "no matter what mood has hold of you when you approach this album, the breezy, giddy, feeling will take over". CMJ took a similar view, writing, "From dad Dave to six-year-old Angelina, the Deightons play with an unaffected spirit and feeling that shine right through the processed cheese that poses for music most of us are used to hearing". In addition to Dave and Josie Deighton, the group features their five children, Maya (tin whistle, flute), Arthur (mandolin, electric guitar), Kathleen (fiddle), Rosalie (vocals, percussion, mandolin), and Angelina (boogie, percussion).