Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)

Subject: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP 2022
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine sans cookie
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 04:18 AM

Very sorry to report that Norma Waterson Carthy died yesterday afternoon (January 30, 2022) after a long illness. Her music lives on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: fat B****rd
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 04:20 AM

RIP Norma.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 04:39 AM

Copied from Eliza’s Facebook page, posted a very short time ago:

“Hello all. Not much to say about such monumental sadness, but mam passed away yesterday afternoon, January 30th 2022.
Thinking of everyone who has supported and donated and just been there for us the last few weeks, the last few years, and through all of her triumphs and trials.
Our only hope is that she is with Lal and Mike and her mum and dad now, being held and welcomed and finally without pain.
More soon.
We love you Mam. Going to bring you home as soon as we can.

“Just a song at Twilight, when the lights are low
And the drifting shadows softly come and go
Though your heart be weary, sad the day and long
Still to me at twilight comes love’s sweet song
Comes love’s old sweet song”

The link to offer support to Dad is still www.ko-Fi.com/elizacarthy”

Very sad news. Thanks for the wonderful singing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 04:41 AM

Just read the sad news myself. RIP Norma. The music will live forever

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST,JoeG
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 05:02 AM

RIP Norma

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 05:02 AM

Such sad news, even though it’s not entirely unexpected it’s still a very sad day for the Carthy family, and for our music.

If heaven exists, they’ll be having a great sing tonight. RIP wonderful lady.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 05:54 AM

Sad news.
RtS

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 06:00 AM

All the best to all her loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan.
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 06:56 AM

Fifty years ago, I visited a college friend of mine who had recently moved to Holland (to work with Phillips, but that’s another story). On his way out from home, he had bought two LPs: Frank Harte’s “Through Dublin City” and The Watersons’ “Frost and Fire”. I was blown away by both and the experience kickstarted my love of traditional song. Norma’s voice, soaring joyfully through those glorious harmonies was such a delight!

May there be stars in her crown!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: gillymor
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 07:33 AM

I wasn't to familiar with her solo work but I loved her version of "Black Muddy River" and, of course, her singing with The Watersons. I hope she's found peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: rich-joy
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 07:52 AM

Ahh, not unexpected, no - but no less sad for that and there will be many, like me, where Norma (and family)'s singing has been a hugely important part of our musical growth and history.
So, sending love through the ether to Martin, Eliza and families - and thanks so much for the happy memories of the music soundtrack to our lives......

Vale, Norma.

R-J, Down Under

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Vic Smith
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 07:56 AM

We have lost the finest singer of the many thousands that the folk revival produced. Norma Waterson's voice will be remembered by millions for the emotional power and empathy that she brought to her singing. In addition to this she was a warm-hearted kind and giving person who loved and gave a great deal to her family and her many friends and admirers in her singing and in the person she was. Great sympathy to her family for this incredibly difficult loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Levana Taylor
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 07:58 AM

Such sad news. One of the most simply gripping singers I have ever heard.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 08:26 AM

Farewell Norma, and thanks for the joy of your singing. :(

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 08:47 AM

55 years ago, almost to the day, this wonderful human being asked me to sing at her folk club and from then onwards inspired all of my work, performing, collecting, writing etc. I will miss you terribly, Norma! Love to all the family. We must celebrate the tremendous legacy you leave behind.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 08:54 AM

Checking back in here after a long hiatus because I know this community will be feeling this keenly. I'm absolutely gutted; she was a lovely lady and a towering talent - her passing is an incalculable loss to her family, and to folk music. She leaves an enormous legacy, and her memory will surely be a blessing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 09:18 AM

The best night I ever had in a Folk Club was at Ripponden Folk Club then at The Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge, the guests were The Watersons sans Lal who was too ill to travel, the pub was crowded due the very special guests. The only spare seats were at our table and Mike and Norma sat with us and talked with us all evening except when on stage, Martin just wandered round the pub talking to everybody as is his wont. Fantastic night, I'll remember forever. Farewell Norma, an absolutely unforgetable person and what an amazing singer.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 09:48 AM

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: r.padgett
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 09:50 AM

Sorry to hear this sad news ~ the Watersons were the forerunners of revival of mainly traditional song in the 1960s and 70s and of group singing
Norma was fine singer and interpreter of song and our thoughts continue with Martin and Eliza

RIP Norma

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 09:56 AM

A great loss to the folk world. My condolences to her family and friends and all those who love and miss her. She now has her place in the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST,ottery
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 10:18 AM

I've been listening to her work since I was small. Her voice looms large in my mental soundscape. So sorry for her family. She's now free of her long illness, but still, I wish she could have recovered and lived to over a hundred.

Listening to A Bunch of Thyme.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 10:20 AM

How very sad, our condolences to her family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST,Greg F.
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 10:49 AM

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/31/norma-waterson-celebrated-british-folk-singer-dies-aged-82

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: RTim
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 11:20 AM

Very Sad news - may her voice sing out for ever and be remembered and listen to...

RIP

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: GUEST,Marian
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 11:59 AM

Such sad news but R.I.P. Norma and condolences to her immediate family and many, many friends and admirers. Such a legacy as hers will never   be forgotten!

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: StephenH
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 12:01 PM

I can't express any better than others have what a tremendous loss
this is to music. But, of course, the bigger loss is felt by Martin and Eliza and family. My deepest condolences to them.

Thanks for all the years of wonderfully inspiring singing, Norma.
RIP

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 12:08 PM

Thread #170862   Message #4134505

Posted By: Backwoodsman

31-Jan-22 - 05:04 AM

Thread Name: Carthy Family needs assistance

Subject: RE: Carthy Family needs assistance

From Eliza’s Page an hour ago…

”Hello all. Not much to say about such monumental sadness, but mam passed away yesterday afternoon, January 30th 2022.
    Thinking of everyone who has supported and donated and just been there for us the last few weeks, the last few years, and through all of her triumphs and trials.
    Our only hope is that she is with Lal and Mike and her mum and dad now, being held and welcomed and finally without pain.
    More soon.
We love you Mam. Going to bring you home as soon as we can.

“Just a song at Twilight, when the lights are low
And the drifting shadows softly come and go
Though your heart be weary, sad the day and long
Still to me at twilight comes love’s sweet song
Comes love’s old sweet song”

The link to offer support to Dad is still www.ko-Fi.com/elizacarthy “

RIP wonderful lady.

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 12:26 PM

Sorry to hear this sad news, R I P

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP
From: Felipa
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 12:26 PM

a wonderful tribute by Jude Rogers here https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/31/norma-waterson-was-one-of-folks-greatest-voices-and-greatest-people

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST,MikeOfNorthumbria, sans cookie
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 01:12 PM

One of the true giants of folk song has left us, and we are all poorer for that loss. Nevertheless, her music will live on.

Meanwhile, our hearts go out to her family, whose loss is
far greater than ours.

With happy memories and great admiration, farewell Norma.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Acorn4
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 01:31 PM

A sad day indeed. Can't think of anyone who has contributed more to keeping folk music alive than Norma and Martin. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 01:41 PM

Such a great loss - and also a gift that at the end of her life, she was reminded in a powerful way of the love and gratitude she engendered.

Dan

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 02:06 PM

Safe Home Norma, Safe Home.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: PHJim
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 03:01 PM

I only saw Norma once at Toronto's Convocation Hall, but I plan to spin some records today.
So long Norma,

Norma & Martin

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Elmore
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 04:19 PM

As others have remarked, I'm not shocked, but saddened. Condolences to her family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 07:19 PM

It's not just Al Bowlly that's in heaven it's now also 'our Norma' too.

Like so many others have written on here, we have had the wonderful experience of listening to Norma sing anywhere from Whitby to London. The Albert Hall to a small folk club in Wolverhampton. Wherever any version of The Waterson Family sang it was always obvious who took centre stage with her commanding presence on and off the stage.

Musically, she was never pigeon holed by tradition and her fine solo albums demonstrate that she would go to any length to find the right song to sing. Her knowledge and understanding of the musical history she was bound to was always a joy to listen to and to learn about.

The term National Treasure is so often lazily used these days but in this particular instance we cannot think of a more apt description. Thank you for all the pleasure and good memories you have left us with. Our thoughts are with the whole family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 07:31 PM

Very sad news. We will miss her. RIP Norma.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 22 - 09:00 PM

Even having had years of Norma Waterson's ill health,
in which it was only a matter of time until her suffering was ended,
it hits me someplace deep and heavy that she has died.

The Watersons, with Martin Carthy, were touring in aid of
"Sound Sound Your Instruments of Joy"
when I saw them, live, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a long time ago.

It was many years later when I discovered the fiction
of Terry Pratchett with his own fantastic way
of evangelizing and spreading the word about England's traditions.
And, regarding Pratchett's Sisters of Wyrd,
I always saw the character Nanny Ogg
(playing the banjo in the bathtub)
as a cross between Margaret Barry and Norma Waterson.

"And the larks they sang melodious ... "

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 06:17 AM

Great 60s BBC documentary on the Watersons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vrszb4w318

It's also a great portrait of the North in the 1960s. Everyone smokes and there's very little litter. Factories - remember them?

This is what they took from us.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST,Ada the Cadre
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 06:17 AM

If you have not heard her voice, make time to hear it now - how lucky we are to live in an age where the voice goes on when the singer is gone. But Norma Waterson who has just died was more than one of the greatest voices in British Folk music, a member of its two most renowned families of song, and a founder of the British Folk revival in the 1950s and 60s. She knew what she was singing - and why. I am not sure if it is OK to paste you tube clips here, but listen to her talking here before singing the Moving on song. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IEnq8mYVtOM

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 06:43 AM

The documentary also features Louis Killen and Bill Leader - previously only a name on record sleeves to me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 07:17 AM

I last saw Norma Waterson at Normafest in January 2016 at Scarborough Pavilion. Very sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 07:19 AM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-60199744

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Gozz
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 07:46 AM

I have only had the pleasure of seeing Norma perform live once, but like so many, that was enough for her emotion, her love of the songs she sang, her sympathetic approach, her shear joy in music all to profoundly influence me.
Sending love to Eliza, Martin and all the family at this time.

Gozz

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 08:07 AM

Thanks Ada - best version of that I have heard and led me on to Death and the Lady

Interesting feature on that is that the OU logo is displayed so I assume it was part of an OU course?

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 08:08 AM

Seeing and hearing the Watersons was part of my teenage introduction to, and lifelong love of, unaccompanied harmony singing and discovering the joy of improvising harmonies.

Losing Norma, the last of the siblings, is the end of an era, but it's good to hear the next generation carrying the music forward and I was glad that today's Woman's Hour on Radio 4 ended with an acknowledgment of Norma's outstanding contribution and a recording of Norma and Eliza singing "T stands for Thomas" in the BBC studio in 2007.


Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: gillymor
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 08:15 AM

I came late to The Watersons and it was through hearing Blue Murder's rendition of I Bid You Goodnight on a Joseph Spence and the Pinder Family tribute album. It seems fitting here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 11:14 AM

Who remains now from that generation?
Martin Carthy, of course;
and what about Lal Waterson's husband,
George Knight? Is he still with us?

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 02:01 PM

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-travelling-for-a-living-1966-online Travelling for a Living

Subject: RE: Obit: Norma Waterson Carthy RIP (1939-2022)
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Feb 22 - 02:06 PM

George still very much with us and with it, and all of his family. Last we heard from John he was living in Greece but haven't heard anything for a few years.