He brings us older, more obscure variants of the child ballad, Geordie. His legacy is huge. His guitar work is legendary. He also brings us the history through the lyric. It is from the time when poachers would be transported or hanged. Hungry people, but all the deer belonged to the Lord of that realm. Thanks for posting.
I first saw him (1965 or so) at my local folk club, the Barley Mow, at the 3 Cranes pub in Sheffield. Now 45 years later, living in the Pacific NW, I find him on U Tube...better than ever. His music has brought such volume of joy into my life...My thanks to him! May he live and play forever!
I wonder if you'll get notified of this reply, 10 years later ? - The Barley Mow was our first introduction to live folk music and underage drinking 1968 onwards while we were still at school. Can't believe how influential that place was, we were rubbing shoulders with almost everyone who later became legends in their own right, Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty, Carthy and Swarb, Wizz Jones, Paul Brady with the Johnstones etc etc. A regular called Dave gave me the words to Dalesmans Litany just after I got my first guitar and 50 years later its still goes down better than most of the stuff I've learned since.
There is no doubt that Martin is a giant. I discovered him in the early 1980's when I was first getting exposed to modern British Isles folk music and he just knocks me out. Him and Jansch are just great. His stuff has never been that easy to find here in American, unfortunately.
I have seen him several times in Australia, and his tuning is quick, barely noticeable. He is certainly regarded as one of the handful of guitar "gods".
OK Guys. I understand it's no longer an issue, because what I said on here about Martin was nearly 2 years ago, But I was really obnoxious back then. I have since since Carthy and Swarbrick, and I totally take back what I said. Sorry to anyone I offended when I posted before. Dan.
Actually, there is an upload on youtube, of Geordie; Silly Sisters; June Tabor & Maddy Prior. It is genuine with Martin playing very distinctive guitar.
Guitar Maestros, series 1, DVD from Sound Techniques, U.K.. He also did "GEORDIE", on his "Crown of Horn" album, a much better version to my mind. -- This version was also done on "Silly Sisters", by June Tabor & Maddy Prior. Martin played (brilliant) guitar for them. -- This version was also done in the mid 1960's on a Julie Felix album, called "Changes". Very different (&brilliant) guitar again from Martin, blitzing all other guitar tracks on that album, which were played by John Renbourn.
Martin Carthy is a great guy! Most musicians are better live, but he's better in studio, coz i've seen him live @ hitchin folk club, he takes ages tuning up.
I guess with some people it could become annoying - I've always found the opposite to be true with Carthy because he's such a scholar of trad. music. Often, during the parts when he's tuning, he tends to explain the story and origins of the song and other stuff like that, which personally I find fascinating in itself...
Hve u ever seen him live? He's an amazing Guitarist alright, he plays with his own style, which i understand takes ages to tune in, but in which case he should have several guitars with him!
Give Martin 3 versions of the same song, one will sound a bit syrupy and poppy, one will have a good tune and is nice and listenable, the third will be old, all over the place and sound awful, that,s the one he will choose to play.
I understand he has is own style, which is great, no one can play guitar like him. But if he wants to play like that, he should have several guitars with him on stage, already tuned.
