One of the great duos of all time, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick joined up in early spring 1966 as a performing unit. They were an immediate hit, becoming overnight the most popular group in the burgeoning folk club scene in Britain. Both Ears and the Tail was recorded live at the Folkus Folk Club in Nottingham in 1966 in the first flush of their success with both audience and performers hardly able to catch their breath.

This recording only came to light in recent times and it is astonishing in its fire and clarity. Many of the songs performed that night are to be found on the early Martin Carthy albums, but, on stage, the interplay between Martin and Dave virtually re-wrote all the material. This is a real live experience and an opportunity to “be there on the night”.

“On this crystal clear recording of the classic Carthy/Swarbrick duo partnership are caught early in their partnership. Swarb’s swooping fiddle coils with propulsive energy.” ★★★★ Uncut

“It’s a corker. The natural chemistry between them is irresistible.” Record Collector

“The attraction of the CD is in the live performance, the guitar and fiddle [and occasional mandolin] weaving in and out, responding to each other’s playing. And the recording quality is very good.” Derek Schofield, English Dance and Song

Live recording, 1966
1  The Leitrim Fancy + Drowsy Maggie + Staten Island + The Corbie and the Craw
2  High Germany
3  Fair Maid on the Shore
4  Porcupine Rag
5  The Bonnie Black Hare
6  Sovay (The Female Highwayman)
7  The Barmaid + Peter Street + The Mason’s Apron
8  The Broomfield Hill
9  The Wind that Shakes the Barley
10  The Hen’s March + The Four Poster Bed
11  Man of Newlyn Town
12  Dill Pickles Rag
13  The Two Magicians
14  The Kid on the Mountain + The Donegal + The Swallowstail + The Marquis of Tullybardine

Martin Carthy vocals, guitar
Dave Swarbrick fiddle, mandolin

Available now from:
AMAZON, ITUNES and on SPOTIFY

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