Martin Carthy
Martin Carthy with C.F. Martin IV of the legendary Martin guitar company
at the launch of the 000-18MC Martin Carthy Signature Edition
`Arguably the greatest English folk song performer, writer, collector and editor of them all' Q Magazine
For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music's greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it. Trailblazing musical partnerships with, amongst others, Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick and his award-winning wife (Norma Waterson) and daughter Eliza Carthy have resulted in more than 40 albums, but Martin has only recorded 10 solo albums, of which the much anticipated Waiting for Angels (Topic TSCD527) is the latest.
Whether in the folk clubs (which he continues to champion), on the concert stage or making TV appearances (he was the subject of the acclaimed `Originals' music documentary strand on BBC 2) - there are few roles that Martin Carthy hasn't played. He's a ballad singer, a ground-breaking acoustic & electric guitarist and an authoritative interpreter of newly composed material. He always prefers to follow an insatiable musical curiosity rather than cash in on his unrivalled position. Perhaps, most significant of all, are his settings of traditional songs with guitar, which have influenced a generation of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, on both sides of the Atlantic.
In June 1998 he was appointed an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. He was named Folk Singer of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2002, and again in 2005 when he also won the award for Best Traditional Track for 'amous Flower of Serving Men. In the 2007 Folk Awards Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick won Best Duo. In 2008 he won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Traditional Track for Cold Haily Rainy Night alongside Eliza Carthy and Chris Wood as part of The Imagined Village project. This is The Imagined Village performing Cold Haily Rainy Night on Later with Jools.
This is what the BBC website has to say about Martin Carthy and his award in 2005:
“For four decades, Martin Carthy's work has immeasurably enriched the British folk heritage. He is regarded as one of the finest singers and interpreters of traditional music of the British Isles, as well as a highly influential and much-imitated guitarist. Awarded the MBE for services to English folk music in 1998, his drive and enthusiasm are undiminished and he continues to be one of folk music's great innovators.”
Discography
As a member of The Watersons and/or Waterson:Carthy
* The Watersons: For Pence and Spicy Ale (1975)
* The Watersons: Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy (1977)
* The Watersons: Green Fields (1981)
* Waterson:Carthy: Waterson:Carthy (1994)
* Waterson:Carthy: Common Tongue (1996)
* Waterson:Carthy: Broken Ground (1999)
* Waterson:Carthy: A Dark Light (2002)
* The Watersons: The Definitive Collection (2003)
* Waterson:Carthy: Fishes & Fine Yellow Sand (2004)
* The Watersons: Mighty River of Song (2004) 4x CD & 1x DVD box set of Watersons and related recordings
* The Watersons: A Yorkshire Christmas (2005)
* Waterson:Carthy: The Definitive Collection (2005)
* Waterson:Carthy: Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man (2006)
Original / Studio albums (solo or with Dave Swarbrick)
* Martin Carthy (1965) with Dave Swarbrick
* Martin Carthy's Second Album (1966) with Dave Swarbrick
* Byker Hill (1967) with Dave Swarbrick
* But Two Came By (1968) with Dave Swarbrick
* Prince Heathen (1969) with Dave Swarbrick
* Landfall (1971)
* Shearwater (1972 reissue with extra tracks 2005)
* Sweet Wivelsfield (1974)
* Crown Of Horn (1976)
* Because It's There (1979)
* Out Of The Cut (1982)
* Right Of Passage (1988)
* Life And Limb (1990) with Dave Swarbrick
* Skin And Bone (1992) with Dave Swarbrick
* Signs Of Life (1998)
* Waiting For Angels (2004)
* Straws In The Wind (2006) with Dave Swarbrick
Compilations and live albums
* Selections (1969) New Zealand and Australia only
* This Is... Martin Carthy: The Bonny Black Hare and other songs (1971) with Dave Swarbrick
* Selections (1971) with Dave Swarbrick
* Round Up (circa early 1970s) with Dave Swarbrick
* Brigg Fair (circa early 1970s) with Dave Swarbrick
* Tales of Long Ago (circa early 1970s) with Dave Swarbrick
* The Collection (1993)
* Rigs of the Time (1993)
* The Kershaw Sessions (1994)
* A Collection (1999)
* Both Ears and the Tail (2000, live recording from 1966) with Dave Swarbrick
* The Carthy Chronicles (2001) 4x CD 83 track box set
* The Definitive Collection (2003)
* Martin Carthy at Ruskin Mill (2005)
Releases on other formats
* No Songs (7" vinyl EP 1967) with Dave Swarbrick
* "The Bonny Lass of Angelsey" b/w "Palaces of Gold" (7" vinyl single 1976)
* 100 Not Out (Longform video 1992) with Dave Swarbrick
* British Fingerstyle Guitar (Longform video 1993 reissued on DVD 2006)
* Guitar Maestros (DVD 2006)
As a member of Steeleye Span
* Please to See the King (1971)
* Ten Man Mop (1971)
* Storm Force Ten (1977)
* Live at Last! (1978)
* The Journey (1999)
As a member of Brass Monkey
* Brass Monkey (1984)
* See How It Runs (1986)
* The Complete Brass Monkey (1993) compilation of the previous two albums
* Sound and Rumour (1999)
* Going and Staying (2001)
* Flame of Fire (2004)
* The Definitive Collection (2005)
As a member of Blue Murder
* No One Stands Alone (2002)
Other notable releases
* Thamesiders & Davy Graham (1963) 7" EP
* Three City Four: Three City Four (1965)
* Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy & Diz Disley: Rags Reel & Airs (1966)
* Various Artists: Bright Phoebus: Songs by Lal & Mike Waterson (1972)
* Albion Country Band: Battle Of The Field (1976)
* John Kirkpatrick: Plain Capers (1976)
* Band of Hope: Rhythm And Reds (1994)
* Wood, Wilson, Carthy: Wood, Wilson, Carthy (1998)
* Dave Swarbrick: Swarb! (2003) 4CD box set career retrospective with numerous Carthy tracks
* 4 Martins: Guitar Nights (2003) released on CD and DVD
