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).

“Eliza Carthy is one of the figureheads of the English folk revival…compelling” Evening Standard
“(Norma Waterson is) Possibly the finest English singer alive today” MOJO

Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson’s splendid duo album Gift scooped two awards at the prestigious 2011 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in London, Album of the Year and Traditional Recording of the Year (for Poor Wayfaring Stranger)

1  Poor Wayfaring Stranger
2  Little Grey Hawk
3  Boston Burglar
4  The Nightingale / For Kate
5  Bonaparte’s Retreat
6  The Rose And The Lily
7  Bunch Of Thyme
8  Ukulele Lady / (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice
9  Psalm Of Life
10  Prairie Lullaby
11  Shallow Brown

Eliza Carthy singing, fiddle, bells, octave violin, organetta, mandolin, piano, viola
Norma Waterson singing, triangle
Marry Waterson singing
Mike Waterson singing
Aidan Curran guitar, mandolin
Danny Thompson double bass
Martin Simpson banjo
Martin Carthy guitar, singing
Chris Parkinson melodeon
Oliver Knight cello, electric guitar, singing
Saul Rose melodeon
Roger Williams trombone

“The new album Gift by Eliza Carthy and Norma Waterson is one of the finest things I have heard in years, two women in great voice singing with complete absorption and commitment and with a rack of learning and wisdom behind them that goes deep into the roots of the music. I love it to bits and I suspect that lots more people will love it too, because it is the real thing.” Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

“Their first duet album was always going to be something special. It is… Ultimately it’s the strength of the vocals that are the key. The intuitive harmonies between them. The total belief and commitment to the song. The almost uncanny empathy they have with that song, whatever its providence. And the clear and obvious love they have not only for the material, but the sense of joy they have in playing and singing it. A gift indeed.” Colin Irwin, fRoots

Available now from:
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