Customer Reviews

Martin Carthy

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Some years ago, I purchased a cheap copy of what I thought was a Fairport Convention album (a reasonable assumption as that is what I ordered and that is what was on the label!) from a friend of a friend who worked for a record company.

However, it was immediately evident that this was not a Fairport Convention album. Until 5 minutes ago, some 36 years later, I had no idea who this wonderful album was performed by and had long since given up ever expecting to find out.

In a moment of inspiriation, I searched for the song Scarborough Fair and selected the Martin Carthy version as likely to end my search. and it did!! I am so very happy. sometimes, I just love the Internet :)))))

I will download the album when I get home, but couldn't wait to gush about just how extraodinary this album is, and how for any lover traditional English Folk music, this is absolutely essential for your collection. Download and enjoy!

On his first album, the young Martin Carthy shows some of the same callow declarativenes of the American folkies; he hasn't quite moved into an Eric Anderson smoothness; perhaps he's closer to Tom Paxton on the suave-o-meter. A very serious, but very talented, young man. True to form, the material is all traditional (except for one Ewan MacColl song), and it's the same stark style he would continue to hone and perfect over the decades, only here it may be a little more accessible since he hasn't gotten the craggy old-man vibe down pat. Dave Swarbrick plays violin on several tunes, but hasn't picked up equal billing with Carthy on the album cover.