Martin Carthy on a Desert Island

Subject: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: mandomad
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 12:30 PM

Martin Carthy is on Next weeks "Desert Island Discs" on the UK's Radio Four, Sunday morning 11-15am. Should be a lot more interesting than most of the latest castaways!

mandomad

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:03 PM

Interesting to you that is, mandomad. Mind you all that classical stuff does get a tad tedious. Any predictions?

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:41 PM

Interesting. Something by Norma and from Eliza. And Heartbreak Hotel. Should be fun. The luxury object you'd think be his guitar. But he might well surprise us with that. He'll surprise us anyway I'd be sure.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: JHW
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:56 PM

Thanks for the info. (Though I'm a Rad 4 listener it's one of the shows I normally turn off).

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:01 PM

i would say he might choose, joseph taylor singing brigg fair, jeannie robertson and walter pardon.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:29 PM

I'll go for Joseph Taylor too! Something by Paul Simon perhaps?

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: matt milton
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:30 PM

Didn't he once say that his guitar playing was heavily influenced by Big Bill Broonzy? So expect to hear some of that, I guess...

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,folkiedave
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:31 PM

Sam Larner a certainty,

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:42 PM

davy graham, is another possibility, the man that pioneered dadgad, and showed him the possibilities with that tuning.
imo walter pardon is more likely than sam larner.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 06:25 PM

I am predicting some early(pre Carthy) Watersons. Something of the General Wolfe era.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Betsy
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 07:42 PM

Can't wait - I think it will be great fun - I honestly do !!!
He's a great lad - and it should make a good change from those usual arty-farty twats we normally have to endure. I fancy "Rave On" - whoever sings it - for a kick off.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 08:42 PM

Something by Eliza, too, I would think.

Tone

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,David E.
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 10:30 PM

I remember chatting with Martin after a gig in the 70s and while he was putting his guitar away I noticed that he had a copy of "Music From Big Pink" in his guitar case. I will never forget that. Looking forward to his list, which will probably be a real eye (and ear) opener. Again.

David E.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 03:06 AM

I've set the box to record it. I would probably have missed it otherwise, so thanks for highlighting it.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 03:14 AM

Martin has been a great ambassador for English Traditional song.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 06:35 AM

Maria Callas - he's a fan...
Derek

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 06:48 AM

In his youth he will have had guitar heroes presumably, before he found his own style, ie well pre 1960. I have no ideas who they might have been, but judging by his style I would guess that in his time he must have listened to Eddie Lang, Lonnie Johnson and Chet Atkins (and/or Merle Travis). And of course Lonnie Donegan. Some or any of those names might appear?...though of course not everybody loves their heroes 50 years later

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 07:15 AM

he has been on record as saying that on hearing Sam Larner it was like a Damascine enlightenment. So he will certainly get a mention and maybe more.
Is Harry Cox out of the frame?
he often refers to Mike Waterson as an inspiration.

Either way this has been a long time coming. Too long.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 09:05 AM

Will he build a boat of some kind and try to escape?

No, but Man Friday will - stuck there listening to all that cobblers....

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: gnomad
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 09:45 AM

There is a precedent for choosing exclusively from his own work (cannot remember offhand who it was did that) and he would have better grounds than many to do so, but somehow I suspect he will prove more modest than that.

His problem will be less what to include than what to leave out, same as most of us I should think, but enormously multiplied. I look forward to hearing his choices, and am sure his interview will be interesting. As to just what he'll pick, I make only one prediction: I'll bet he has some surprises in store.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 09:55 AM

In 1958 Elisabeth Schwarzkopf selected eight of her own recordings. I must have missed that episode.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,raymond greenoaken
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 10:03 AM

I rang him up and asked him. Expect:

Brown Girl In A Ring
Seven Drunken Nights
Catch A Falling Star
Das Rheingold
Bohemian Rhapsody
Mrs Robinson
Sumer Is Icumen In
Rochdale Cowboy

Luxury: electronic guitar tuner (with batteries)

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 10:15 AM

Very eclectic - just as you would expect.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 10:18 AM

This will be grand. I love Martin Carthy and I love Desert Island Discs..I wonder who the "artsy fartsy twats" are. I have not heard them. I find most of the "castaways" to be quite interesting and I do enjoy the classical music, get to hear loads of interesting things. But, I must say Martin Carthy should be just great, I am really looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: flying cat
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 10:38 AM

Luxury item surely isn't his guitar! it's a neccessity!

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 11:10 AM

I believe Louis Armstrong selected his own recordings as well...
Derek

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 11:10 AM

That's why he asked for the tuner.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 11:19 AM

The tuner Should be someone who likes English folk music, guitars, and who can sing in perfect pitch.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: mandomad
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 01:15 PM

Just to mention that Norman Wisdom, English 'Comic' actor,and pain in t'bum; used five of his own records on his second appearance on the Desert Island

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 01:36 PM

This is Louis Armstrong's choice. Might he have played on them all?

1. Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars; Blueberry Hill
2. Louis Armstrong; Mack the Knife
3. Barbra Streisand; People
4. Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians; Bye Bye Blues
5. Bobby Hackett's Band; New Orleans
6. Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong; Bess, you is my woman now
7. Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars; Stars Fell On Alabama
8. Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra; What a Wonderful World

He also selected his autobiography and trumpet. Has Martin Carthy written an autobiography?

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 03:02 PM

Has Martin Carthy written an autobiography?
no

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 05:46 PM

A bit slow, I know, but Satchmo liked to blow his own trumpet.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: selby
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 06:35 PM

Last time martin stayed after perform at our folk club he was enjoying darts. Not many people know that.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 07:39 PM

Talking of trumpets, how about a track from "Brass Monkey" - one of my favourite line-ups that he's in (but then it's HIS favourites that count!)

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: RTim
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 11:21 PM

He once stayed with me and discovered I had the first Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band LP - "Gorilla" - it just had to be played!!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 06:00 AM

I think as my luxury item - I'd have a decent folk club. generally speaking you could then borrow a guitar and a tuner. And you might win the raffle.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: DMcG
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 07:50 AM

I have a sinking feeling that after the broadcast there will be a lot of posts saying "Why on earth did he pick [this], rather than [that]? Any anyway the version of [this] by [whoever] is much better!"

Please let me be wrong on this!

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Michael
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 08:03 AM

But DMcG, that's one of the pleasures of the programme, criticizing/discussing the choice of tracks and versions.

Mike

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 08:24 AM

His luxury item? It must be a samurai sword.

I presume there won't be any police on the island - they aren't keen on samurai swords. A blind, handicapped pensioner was tazered then handcuffed by police in Chorley when they mistook his white stick for a samurai sword.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 08:26 AM

is chorley a desert island?last time i wentthere it was deserted

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 09:23 AM

In Ely, Thorney, Whittlesey, Eastrea, Manea, the suffix does indeed indicate an origin as an island.

The name Chorley, however, comes from two Anglo-Saxon words, Ceorl and ley, probably meaning "the peasants' clearing".

The peasants must have cleared off on your last visit, Dick.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 01:09 PM

the folk club was full, and the market was busy but the the streets away from the town centre looked empty and houses and shops a bit run down.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,geoffwoolfe
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 03:19 PM

Elizabeth Cotton - surely!
And Margaret Barry.....

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Big Al whittle
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 03:27 PM

I wonder how long it will be before he's telling the native cannibals they should be singing their songs around the cooking pot in a chromatic scale and with a different time signature.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 06:46 PM

I'm sure he's been on before and chose lots of bluesy stuff.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Betsy
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 07:21 PM

I reckon something by Mike Waterson.
Maybe something by Lal.
"Rave on" sang by the Watersons.
Something by Norma.

My long shots ....
Something by Lonnie Donegan or Chuck Berry - or perhaps Beatles.
Anyway it's great that he has been asked - I get a little tired of all the obscure choices from Guests I don't know.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 04:48 AM

Reinhart and Grapelli.
Possibles. Jackson C Frank, or Ralph McTell

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 06:34 AM

He won't pick any folk music at all. Seventy years surrounded by that twaddle is, surely, enough for anyone. ;-)

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: fat B****rd
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 06:50 AM

According to the DID website he hasn't been on before.

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy on a Desert Island
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 07:01 AM

He won't be picking "Deja Vu" by Les Barker then.