For nearly fifty years Martin Carthy has been one of the most persistent and dedicated practitioners of English traditional music. He has been an essential figure in most of the significant developments in folk music during that time. To chronicle his career is to discuss the rich and diverse history of the English folk song revival since the early 1960s.

His early work was an inspiration to both Bob Dylan and Paul Simon; Martin’s reading of Lord Franklin became the template for Bob Dylan’s Dream, whilst his arrangement of Scarborough Fair was the basis for the popular Simon & Garfunkel hit. More recently his influence has been widely acknowledged by artists as diverse as Paul Weller, Johnny Marr, Richard Thompson, Martin Simpson and Fleet Foxes.

Today, nearly fifty years into what he still refuses to think of as a career, he continues to display a remarkable curiosity and open-mindedness to all manner of folk musics. This 2CD set makes a very compelling argument for saying that British music would not be the same without Martin Carthy’s influence and presence over the past five decades. Essential collects together thirty four of his finest recordings – solo, with Dave Swarbrick, with the Watersons, with Waterson:Carthy and as a member of Brass Monkey from the treasury of recordings he has made over the years for Topic Records. It is a testimony to an enormously gifted singer and musician, whose considerable skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him so many admirers around the world.

The Maid Of Australia : BRASS MONKEY by Topic Records

Track listing:

CD one
1 Scarborough Fair
2 Broomfield Hill
3 Lord Franklin
4 Byker Hill
5 The Bee’s Wing
6 Poor Murdered Woman
7 Seven Yellow Gypsies
8 Prince Heathen
9 January Man
10 His Name Is Andrew
11 King Henry
12 Skewbald
13 The Bedmaking
14 Geordie
15 Lovely Joan
16 Siege Of Delhi
17 The Prickle Holly Bush
18 I Sowed Some Seeds

CD two
1 The Devil & The Feathery Wife
2 The Maid And The Palmer
3 Sovay
4 Dominion Of The Sword
5 Bill Norrie
6 A Stitch In Time
7 Work Life Out To Keep Life In
8 A Question Of Sport
9 Rackabello
10 Sir Patrick Spens
11 Georgie
12 Famous Flower Of Serving Men
13 Mermaid
14 The Maid Of Australia
15 Christ Made A Trance
16 The Harry Lime Theme

Available now from:
TOPIC SHOP, AMAZON, ITUNES and on SPOTIFY