Review: Carthy & Swarbrick

Subject: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 08:36 AM

Had a fantastic evening on Thursday at Bury Met watching/listening to two legends. Despite the years and Dave's health problems they are still amazing to watch and hear their performances together.

It's incredible to think i first sat in front of them probably around 40 year ago in MSG in Machester and was 'blown' away by them then..glad i had the same feeling after Thursdays gig. Long may they continue and hope Norma W is on the mend too.

Vin

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 08:39 AM

P.S Martin also paid a lovely tribute to Ray Fisher.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 01:08 PM

Just seen them at Off The Tracks festival this afternoon. They finished their set with "Byker Hill" (before the encore) and the old magic was still there.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Will Fly
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 02:08 PM

Good to hear that they're still in fine fettle. First saw them in 1966 - just around the time they were doing the stuff that became "Reels, Rags and Airs" (and, 30 years later, "Both Ears and The Tail").

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 05:09 PM

Seeing them in Halifax, Sunday the 11th at Square Chapple, tiny, intimate venue, with great acoustics.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 06:08 PM

in case anyone tries googling, that Halifax venue is Square Chapel. There's a link to the Swarb/Carthy gig on the home page.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 07:43 AM

Hope you enjoy the gig Dave (Hanson) as much i enjoyed em at Bury. Might be tempted to pop over to Halifax to catch em agin if not sold out (i'll be the one wearing a mudcat t/shirt). I bought a copy of their live cd 'Walnut Creek' - excellent! I'd forgotton what a brilliant mandolin player Swarb was as well as fiddle. Grand stuff.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 08:16 AM

Presumably the 9/8 Byker Hill, not the hymn tune?

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 12:28 PM

Martin Carthy is no slouch on the mandolin either.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 03:05 AM

Yes Richard the "Byker Hill" as was on the third album that they recorded together (or the first with both of their names on)which they apparently learned from Bert Lloyd.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: alanabit
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 04:33 AM

As a youngster of only fifty-six, I missed out on the early days of Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbeck. I only recently heard "Both Ears And the Tail" for the first time. It reminded me very much of early Downes and Beer gigs. I had always known that Paul was a huge fan of Dave Swarbeck. It was fascinating to hear the music, which had so much inspired him. Anyone would be impressed by the music, but it was also the spirit and the eclecticism which knocked me out. Glad to hear they are still at it.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: pavane
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 01:40 PM

I wonder if they remember the Lincoln festival in 1971. That's the only time I saw them together - magic

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 02:46 PM

Alanabit, is Dave Swarbeck any relation to the fiddler Dave Swarbrick ?

Dave H

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: alanabit
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 04:46 PM

In future I shall keep an eye on my spelling Dave!

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 04:59 PM

It occurred to me listening to Swarb play at the gig how he not just plays a tune but plays with it no matter how often he's done it. Seemingly trying new little avenues or paths but always managing to end up on the right road. Obviously he's not the only musciian to do that but he's a master at it and i think that's one of the reasons he and Martin have always lasted, on and off, as a musical partnership all these years. Martin always looks fascinated at where Swarb is going with a tune and always manages to stay with him. Conversely Swarb knows Martin's singing and, and equally brilliantly inventive guitar style so well he knows exactly what's needed.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 06:37 PM

pavane, I remember that festival, but I know that's not the same thing....

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 04:58 AM

Me too alanabit, after writing chapple for chapel.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: GUEST,Phil B
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 05:07 AM

'It reminded me very much of early Downes and Beer gigs. I had always known that Paul was a huge fan of Dave Swarbeck. It was fascinating to hear the music, which had so much inspired him. Anyone would be impressed by the music, but it was also the spirit and the eclecticism which knocked me out. Glad to hear they are still at it'.

Its dave's unique ability to make something new out of a piece every single time. Martin builds the foundation and dave decorates it but never gets in the way of the song. Very important lessons to learn. Ironically, My first real awareness of Swarb was the opening bars of 'Sir Patrick Spens' from Fairports 'Full House' which was one of the great moments for younger me. I worked backwards into Carthy/Swarb from there. Genius. National treasures etc etc.

Subject: RE: Review: Carthy & Swarbrick
From: Kev Boyd
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 03:03 PM

Vin, here are a few photos from that Bury gig:
The Roaring 70s

If you're a Facebook user there are a couple of extra shots here (but the quality isn't as good):
More Roaring 70s

I'll be at the Birmingham and Liverpool shows towards the end of the month so I'll post links to more photos then.
Or keep checking Come Sing It Plain... for the updates.