Eliza Carthy and Norma Waterson are quite simply two of Britain’s finest exponents of traditional song. They have recorded independently and together on many occasions over the years.GIFT is the first duo release from this widely acclaimed mother and daughter.

With their rich, distinctive and authentic voices they have effortlessly engaged new audiences and admirers across the generations. Widely acknowledged leading lights of the folk scene with enviable international reputations, both have received numerous BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards during the past decade, and nominations for the prestigious Mercury Music Award.

GIFT is the album that their fans have been waiting for, and features an intriguing and powerful mix of traditional and contemporary songs. From traditional folk classics - Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Bunch of Thyme - through jazz-infused or Old Timey gems - Ukelele Lady, Prairie Lullaby – the album continues to enchant the listener. No matter what the origin, Eliza Carthy &Norma Waterson bring all these songs to life with their great musicality and wonderfully compassionate voices.

Mojo Magazine has already declared GIFT to be “a classic ”
The album, produced at Panda Sound by Oliver Knight and Eliza Carthy, features a stellar supporting cast of friends and family, including Anne, Mike and Marry Waterson (vocals), Danny Thompson (double bass), Martin Simpson (banjo), Aidan Curran (guitar), Martin Carthy (guitar) and Roger Williams from Brass Monkey (trombone).

As a side project in 1977, Lal and Norma Waterson recorded A True Hearted Girl, an album of solos, duos and trios (with Lal's daughter Maria). Lal and Norma varied the tried and true vision of The Watersons on this outing, by only using female voices and in different combinations. This gives the album a different ambience and depth and it captures the Waterson sisters' family empathy in full flight.

Here are two of England's most stirring women singers in solo, duet and trio performances (joined by Lal's daughter, Maria). Highlights of A True Hearted Girl include The Flowers of the Forest, I Wish I Never Had and Grace Darling. This reissue includes two extra tracks; one from the 1966 Watersons album, A Yorkshire Garland, and a 1998 recording of The Waterdaughters (Lal, Norma, Maria & Eliza Carthy).