Search - Waterson: Carthy :: Common Tongue

Call them the First Family of English folk music. Martin Carthy, his wife Norma Waterson, and their daughter Eliza Carthy make up Waterson:Carthy, and on their second release they create just as much excitement as they did on their debut. Individually and together, Martin and Norma have each recorded for some 30 years, exploring traditional music, but albums from the family unit seem to show a real delight in the three of them working together. Everything here is traditional; the magic is in the way it's put together--three voices, Martin's exquisite guitar, and Eliza's fiddle (with sparing help from a few guests). Whatever they tackle comes out simply sparkling. Every piece here is specifically from the English tradition--please don't go thinking of this as "Celtic"; there might be some relation, but there are also definite differences. In its own way, the work is as filigreed as Celtic music, just not as flashy. For anyone with the slightest interest in folk music, this is a must-have, and recommendations don't come much higher. Then again, folk music doesn't come any better. --Chris Nickson