CD-Charts Position 1

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The Definitive Collection

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date February 24, 2003

CD-Charts Position 2
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Martin Carthy

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date October 17, 1995
By the time Martin Carthy made this debut, he'd been around a few years, long enough to meet an emerging Bob Dylan and show Paul Simon how to play 'Scarborough Fair.' This release sets out his manifesto: the collection of traditional songs from the previous generation of performers. By recording them he ensures that a rich part of our heritage survives. With no accompaniment save for his own guitar and the occasional support of Dave Swarbrick's fiddle, Carthy lets the full impact of the songs have their way. Handed down and adapted over centuries, these are vivid and engaging tales.
'High Germany' is a reminder of the effect of war on domestic life; 'The Trees They Do Grow High' is so matter-of-fact in its hard-hitting revelation about ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Crown of Horn

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date October 31, 1995
This is one of my favourites among Martin Carthy's solo albums and one of the best British folk records of the 1970s. Don't be put off by the rather oldey-worldey picture on the album cover (1970s whimsy perhaps?); Carthy's choice of material is always interesting and his distinctive percussive guitar-playing style at its best. There are some crackers among the songs, like the traditional ballads "Willie's Lady" and "The Bonny Lass o' Anglesey" and a moving version of Leon Rosselson's "Palaces of Gold", written in the wake of the Aberfan mining disaster.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Byker Hill

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date June 09, 2008
This is one of my favourites among Martin Carthy's solo albums and one of the best British folk records of the 1970s. Don't be put off by the rather oldey-worldey picture on the album cover (1970s whimsy perhaps?); Carthy's choice of material is always interesting and his distinctive percussive guitar-playing style at its best. There are some crackers among the songs, like the traditional ballads "Willie's Lady" and "The Bonny Lass o' Anglesey" and a moving version of Leon Rosselson's "Palaces of Gold", written in the wake of the Aberfan mining disaster.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Second Album

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date October 17, 1995
As usual, Martin Carthy offers a rich selection of our musical heritage. His 'Second Album' seems to be one of his darker, more atmospheric releases. The emphasis is on robbers, thugs and redoubtable heroines, with the occasional maritime tale thrown in, including the renowned and tragic 'Lord Franklin.' Carthy's playing is, from the first, inspired, though he does sing unaccompanied occasionally. The centrepiece of the album, and its longest track, is the brooding 'Bruton Town,' a masterpiece. Dave Swarbrick adds some nifty fiddling to some of the tracks. He and Carthy seem to have a strong understanding. Carthy's original sleeve notes, explaining the history of each song, are reprinted on the insert. A superb folk album.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Straws in the Wind

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date October 09, 2006
I've been a fan of swarb and carthy both individually and together for very many years. I received this for christmas and approached it with some apprehension. These "old tymes sake" reunions are often a dissappointment, either complacent, smug, trying too hard or simply having lost the plot or the skills. Given how terribly ill Swarb looked the last few times i saw him play was hardly encouraging either.

The apprehensions were entirely misplaced. This is a complete gem, it stands quite happily alongside everything else they have done and is in every way a pleasure to listen to. Betraying the advancing years comes not from Swarb whose playing is as crisp and earthy as ever, but from Carthy, whose fine voice occasionally falters, though ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Out of the Cut

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date July 01, 1994
As I gradually explore Martin Carthy's back catalogue, I am constantly amazed by the sheer quality of his music and the evident research he puts into the songs - not to mention the inventiveness at fitting songs fragments together and matching tunes to lyrics.

This CD is no different. He is joined on some of the tracks by John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson and the late Howard Evans (trumpet, flugelhorn).

Standout tracks? Well, 'Reynard the Fox' is a bit unusual - a lovely novelty to me, there is an early version of his updating of 'The Rigs of Time' and a fine version of 'Old Horse' - slightly spritelier than the later Brass Monkey rendition. None of the tracks are dull. Recommended!

CD-Charts Position 8
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Both Ears And The Tail

by: Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

Release Date October 22, 2007
As I gradually explore Martin Carthy's back catalogue, I am constantly amazed by the sheer quality of his music and the evident research he puts into the songs - not to mention the inventiveness at fitting songs fragments together and matching tunes to lyrics.

This CD is no different. He is joined on some of the tracks by John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson and the late Howard Evans (trumpet, flugelhorn).

Standout tracks? Well, 'Reynard the Fox' is a bit unusual - a lovely novelty to me, there is an early version of his updating of 'The Rigs of Time' and a fine version of 'Old Horse' - slightly spritelier than the later Brass Monkey rendition. None of the tracks are dull. Recommended!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Prince Heathen

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date April 01, 1994
As I gradually explore Martin Carthy's back catalogue, I am constantly amazed by the sheer quality of his music and the evident research he puts into the songs - not to mention the inventiveness at fitting songs fragments together and matching tunes to lyrics.

This CD is no different. He is joined on some of the tracks by John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson and the late Howard Evans (trumpet, flugelhorn).

Standout tracks? Well, 'Reynard the Fox' is a bit unusual - a lovely novelty to me, there is an early version of his updating of 'The Rigs of Time' and a fine version of 'Old Horse' - slightly spritelier than the later Brass Monkey rendition. None of the tracks are dull. Recommended!

CD-Charts Position 10
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Right of Passage

by: Martin Carthy

Release Date February 21, 1995
As I gradually explore Martin Carthy's back catalogue, I am constantly amazed by the sheer quality of his music and the evident research he puts into the songs - not to mention the inventiveness at fitting songs fragments together and matching tunes to lyrics.

This CD is no different. He is joined on some of the tracks by John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson and the late Howard Evans (trumpet, flugelhorn).

Standout tracks? Well, 'Reynard the Fox' is a bit unusual - a lovely novelty to me, there is an early version of his updating of 'The Rigs of Time' and a fine version of 'Old Horse' - slightly spritelier than the later Brass Monkey rendition. None of the tracks are dull. Recommended!