Martin Carthy - general discussion

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy - general discussion
From: Desi C
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 07:41 AM

I met Martin at a folk club in Birmingham as a very nervous Acapella singer only weeks into my Folk career, he was so encouraging and helpful. Ten years later I opened a Folk club near Wolverhampton, I hadn't been in touch with him, but the first person through the door on opening night was Martin Carthey. A true Folk Gentleman. Dererves the Knighthood that Ewan McColl was denied

Desi C
Circle Folk Club
Coseley West Mid's
Every Wed night
WV14 9JH
Open Mic, showcases available
free admission

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy - general discussion
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 08:29 AM

"Dererves the Knighthood that Ewan McColl was denied"

I think Ewan would have refused any recognition from the 'Establishmnet'.

I am alone in being irritated by the common reference, usually in the press, to Waterson-Carthy as "Folks Royal family"? I make no assumptions about how W-C feel about the monarchy, or maybe I do, but one of the central features of their music is an egalitarian understanding of the songs and tunes they sing and play and the recognition that they have survived in the minds and on the tongues of ordinary people.

L in C#

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy - general discussion
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 08:45 AM

"Dererves the Knighthood that Ewan McColl was denied"

Ewan MacColl would have told the powers that be to go shove the ceremonial sword up the royal rectum!

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy - general discussion
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 02:11 PM

From what I've heard of Martin and Norma they would be the last people on earth to want to be known as 'folk's royal family'. On the other hand, in a prevailing culture in which so often youth is worshipped and old people are assumed to be out of touch and to have nothing relevant to contribute to the discussion, I think the respect with which the folk music world treats its elder statesmen and stateswomen is an altogether admirable thing.

I know that Martin and Norma are themselves simply links in the chain that leads back through people like Ewan McColl and Bert Lloyd, Walter Pardon, the Coppers and back to the old country singers who shared their songs with Sharp and Hammond et al. But for many of us, Martin and Norma are the particular link that has touched us (in my case, sadly, only through their CDs) and inspired our love of the tradition. I'm happy to honour them for that.

(Incidentally, a few years ago I heard Kate Rusby and John McCusker described as 'the Posh and Becks of the folk music world'! I guess that accolade is no longer up to date!!!)

Subject: RE: Martin Carthy - general discussion
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 02:40 PM

All good points Tim but you have opened up a whole genre of who is/are the ......................... in folk music.

Who is the Terry Wogan, Chris Evans, Richard & Judy ............

L in C#