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"Another fabulous release from the prolific first family of English
folksong. The vocal arrangement on The Falling Tear is a thing of great
beauty. As always, the deep respect and love they share for this material
shines through every performance." Penguin Eggs
•
"The most ambitious Waterson related project ever.
When all the vocalists and musicians are going at the same time the results
are really glorious." Sing Out
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"Majestic harmony - the introduction of The Devil's
Interval into the fold takes the ensemble's singing to a new peak."
Rhythms
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"Rich, lyrical and deeply moving. Listen
to the opening track New Year Carol – Residue and everything that
is wonderful about the album is distilled in the intermingling of exuberance,
the close and sweet harmonies, the interplay of guitar and melodeon and,
finally, the wonderfully understated brass at the conclusion. A wonderland
of English folk at its traditional best." Sydney Morning Herald
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"Thrillingly timeless." HMV Choice
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"Britain’s first family of folk are well on their mettle
here" 
The Independent
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"Martin’s guitar is driving yet subtle, particularly
on "Jack Frost", Eliza’s fiddle playing wildly marvellous;
and Tim’s box playing suitably rumbustious. There are also highly
enjoyable brass arrangements. But the singing is the greatest delight.
Norma has always been the most generous of singers, always making a gift
of what she performs, and it’s a quality that has rubbed off on
everyone involved.
A “top of the world” album. Songlines
•
"Tim’s stunning arrangement of May Bradley’s
"On Christmas Day it Happened So" …. This is an album
to savour…a selection of songs that I will enjoy throughout the
year." English Dance and Song
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"A magnificently rousing, heady parade of seasonal
songs. A vital ingredient in the immense impact of this collection is
definitely the presence of The Devil’s Interval. Throughout we’re
in the presence of something powerful and primeval – a grand and
satisfyingly uplifting experience." The Living Tradition
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"Refreshingly original. The performances from Norma
Waterson, Eliza Carthy and Tim van Eyken are exemplary, as you’d
expect, but things are at their most affecting when Martin Cathy takes
a solo turn in the spotlight." The Observer
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"As soon as they launch into the inspirational New
Year Carol-Residue, all vocals blazing, you know they mean business and
they imbue the grand old ritual songs with all the passion and fervour
you associate with Frost and Fire. The masterstroke is in the addition
– as honorary Watersons – of The Devil’s Interval. Their
injection of youth and vitality lends further depth and variety to the
harmonies that is particularly potent when the brass charges in. Mike
Waterson’s magnificent song Jack Frost is given a stirring interpretation
by Eliza Carthy. Whether it’s the presence of The Devil’s
Interval, the inspirational nature of the material or the power of the
seasons, Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy sound positively reinvigorated
in the midst of it all, their voices and total conviction immediately
identifiable. It’s a genuinely uplifting collection with fire in
its belly." fRoots
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"Exciting and satisfying harmony singing – bursting
with enthusiasm for the material and with performances of the highest
quality." The Folk Diary
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The Mirror
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"The closest to folk vocal bliss you could wish for"
BBC Radio Nottingham
• "A
“Top of the World” album" Songlines
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"Steeped in a shivery, ancient pagan beauty."
Metro
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"Celebratory, awestruck, ever-so-slightly bawdy and
downright terrifying." The Guardian
• "Packed with dark characters
and dirty deeds, Waterson:Carthy have a real spring in their step.
Mojo
• "An
unusually warm, intimate collection – one to love at leisure."
fRoots
• "The musicianship is
stronger than ever – impassioned singing" The Living Tradition
• "Songs of diverse and
fascinating provenance, tunes rendered with immense skill and panache,
four distinctive voices and a deeply satisfying sense of Englishness.
Black Muddy River works even better than Norma’s 1996 ‘solo’
version….bags of musical light and shade." BBC Radio 2
Folk & Acoustic Reviews
• "Everyone is in fine
voice ... Tim van Eyken’s vocal delivery ...to Martin Carthy’s
assured guitar ... is masterful. Norma’s version of Black Muddy
River is a joy; Eliza’s Captain Kidd becomes incantory (but she
hangs on to the narrative) and Martin ably negotiates the vast emotional
spaces of Farewell Lovely Nancy. “Fishes” is a magnificent
achievement, destined to become a classic."
Songlines
• "A crucible of creativity.
Fishes and Fine Yellow Sand is one of the artistic statements of the year."
Record Collector
• "It’s clear that
aside from having considerable talent, these people enjoy what they are
doing"
Dirty Linen
• "This latest waxing
only goes to prove that class is permanent. Not to be missed under any
circumstances” Folk on Tap
• "Anyone who thinks
acoustic music has no edge should listen to this CD" Sing Out
• "Proof that the Waterson:Carthy musical axis is one of most
important cultural treasures can be heard in every track of this absorbing
and beautiful album. The singing should be a benchmark of fluid phrasing,
expression, passion and understanding in folk, while the instrumental
work is its equal." Scotland on Sunday
• "The “first”
family of folk continues to dazzle" HMV Choice
• "First-rate.
A Dark Light is perhaps the family band's most reflective and lyrical
collection. A "Top of the World" choice." Songlines
• "How
much talent can there be in one family? A wonderful collection" FolkWorld
review
• "A
fine dark album of delicate subtleties and brooding depth" fROOTS
• "a
compellingly spooky affair - chillingly discordant harmonies and the wonderful
melodeon of Tim Van Eyken. There is a purity of intent here." MOJO
• "An
album of amazing light and dark from the masters of English folk, who
here pay tribute to their wide ranging influences. Their best so far."
www.worldmusic.org.uk
• "….all
(tracks) resonate and tingle with emotion filling, inspirational singing."
Living Tradition
• "Vibrant
- an absolutely spine-chilling Death and the Lady - a superb album."
NetRythms
• "An
exceptional addition to their canon, respectful and wild in equal measure"
Uncut
• "A
Dark Light may well be the finest recording that Norma Waterson, Martin
Carthy and Eliza Carthy have provided to date. In fact, it would be hard
to see how they could top this!
(Diego’s Bold Shore) The sheer beauty of Eliza’s voice, combined
with one of the most affecting tunes we have come across, give this ode
to life on the cold high seas a degree of poignancy which would draw tears
from the hardest heart." Pay the Reckoning magazine
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This
is the album that Waterson:Carthy have been wanting to make
for a long time. In 1965, their forerunners The Watersons
released the landmark album "Frost and Fire - A Calendar
of Ritual Magical Songs", and the concept continues to
fascinate them. With "Holy Heathens" they have eclipsed
even that seminal album, amd the sound is a resoundingly full
blooded one. The resonant ensemble singing is bolstered by
The Devil’s Interval, a young and exciting new vocal
trio of Lauren McCormick, Emily Portman & Jim Causely.
They are further accompanied by guitar, fiddle, mandolin,
brass and percussion. This fuller sound harks back to The
Watersons and Blue Murder, but surpasses them for sheer excitement
and thrills.
Waterson:Carthy's
fifth album includes a characteristically eclectic selection
of material from a formidable range of sources. Much of the
album was recorded "live in the studio" with a view
to retaining the essence of the group's live interactive performance
and this goal was successfully achieved. 
England's
leading folk group return with their latest outstanding collection.
The
great family tradition returns to record this time as a four
piece, with Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy and Liza Carthy joined
by Saul Rose on melodeons and voice. The extended line-up results
in a jewel of an album. Stand out tracks are Raggle Taggle Gipsies
featuring Liza, The Bay of Biscay featuring Norma, the staggering
instrumentals and Martin's Bald Headed End of the Broom with
New Orleans marching band added for good measure.
With
an eclecticism characteristic of its members, Waterson:Carthy's
first album draws upon not only the archives of British folksong
but a Morris tune and a Texas waltz. What is transmitted to
the listener, however, is not so much the skill of their research
as the virtuosity with which they breathe life into its matter.
