Nobody seems to mention what for me is the greatest thing about Martin Carthy: his voice. His magical, lyrical, expressive, playful, soulful, haunting, impossible-to-imitate voice. The sound of his voice is as unique and significant to me in the world of folk as sound of the Beatles has been to the world of pop music.

I think I must have more albums by Steeleye Span than I do by any other group -- including the Beatles. The ones with Martin's magic are by far my favorite. I have a smattering of other Carthy (non-Steeleye Span) recordings, and he's just as good on them.

Finally, I had the pleasure of seeing him perform a few months ago in NY City at The Bottom Line. Despite that place's horrible acoustics, smoke-filled air and ubiquitous stench of spilled beer, I loved it. And even at (gasp) sixty, he sounded fantastic.

And as an icing on the cake, his daughter performed with him and sounds magnificent.