Shearwater [Original recording remastered]

Martin Carthy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 19, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Castle Us
• ASIN: B0009Y26MM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #330,403 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Recorded in 1972, just after Carthy's first sojourn with Steeleye Span, this finds him fully exploring the modal possibilities of the guitar--at times it sounds like a mountain dulcimer--and also marks his first recordings of two songs that have become indelibly associated with him, the chilling ballads "Lord Randall" and "Famous Flower of Serving Men." Even though the latter last almost 10 minutes, with Carthy's sure touch it never seems long. The humorous songs like "I Was a Young Man" offer light relief to the epics, and Carthy is every bit as comfortable with them. That he continues to go from strength to strength is apparent. By now he's become completely individual and instantly recognizable, with exquisite taste in songs, and inspired technique par excellence. --Chris Nickson

Product Description

Martin Carthy recorded "Shearwater" in 1971 for the British Pegasus label after just having left Steeleye Span. In addition to Carthy’s driving and powerful guitar playing, the album also features his first experiments with overdubbing. Passionate love, jealousy, greed anger, the desire for revenge and remorse are all apparent in the songs, which also features Carthy’s quintessential and epic "Famous Flower Of Serving Men" as well as a guest vocal performance by Steeleye Span’s Maddy Prior on "Betsy Bell And Mary Gray."

This re-mastered edition of the album also features tracks recorded for a Radio One John Peel session from May 1972.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Martin Carthy, August 30, 2000

By 

S. GODFREY "Stuart" (Risca, South Wales) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shearwater (Audio CD)

Already something of a legend in folk music before joining the young Steeleye Span (and adding considerable grit and integrity to their standout "Please to See the King" album), Carthy was a bona fide hero by the time he left Steeleye and returned to his roots as a solo performer. And what a performance he delivers on this album! A fine choice of material, murder ballads and humorous songs spilling forth in an irresistible mixture of gravitas and elan - and a powerful, percussive guitar technique almost overwhelming in its intensity. There are no poor tracks here. "Lord Randall" and "I was a Young Man" would be superior inclusions in any folk collection, but even they pale by comparison with this album's indispensible track: the awesome "Famous Flower of Serving Men". This song has it all - treachery, infanticide, magic, mystery and a bit of medieaval cross-dressing leading up to a grisly denoument - and that stunning guitar never lets up for a second. If you can take your folk full-blooded, then this is for you - one of the great albums by one of the great artists.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just about perfect, January 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Shearwater (Audio CD)

It is hard to relate to anyone not present and listening at the time what a revelation this recording was when it was newly released. Carthy, who had already been making waves for a number of years with his very original yet authentic interpretations of traditional folk songs, made further headway on this remarkable recording. It is at once sparse and rich; the artist tastefully double tracking himself here and there, adding mountain dulcimer, a second guitar or another vocal track. He is joined by Maddy Prior on one of many stunning selections. The singing and instrumental work are aesthetically and technically flawless.
This is about as close to perfection as one could come.

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, November 11, 2011

By 

Liam Mehler "Josh Mehler" (San Rafael, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shearwater (MP3 Download)

I love these old classic tunes. Reminds me of my youth playing acoustic guitar and singing with my friends. If you love acoustic storytelling, you'll love this.