A Collection

Singer and virtuoso folk guitarist Martin Carthy was one of the key figures in the English folk revival of the sixties and seventies. This collection is culled from his '65-'71 period, a time when folkies were still singing songs that told stories rather than serving as therapy sessions to ease their inner pain.

Carthy's arrangement of 'Scarborough Fair' clearly had a direct influence on Paul Simon's version, while his interpretation of 'Lord Franklin', once a staple in the repertoires of many Irish singers, was a substantial influence on 'Bob Dylan's Dream'. (Carthy even merits a mention on Dylan's Freewheelin' sleeve notes).

Despite his obvious Englishness, his vocal inflections had considerable influence on Irish folk pioneers of the same era. Think of Luke Kelly as you listen to 'The Bold Poachers' and, if you're still not convinced, 'Seven Yellow Gypsies' offers conclusive evidence. While Carthy's playing throughout is an object lesson in warmth and unobtrusive precision, ace fiddler Dave Swarbrick also makes sterling contributions to 'Poor Murdered Woman' and 'Streets Of Forbes'.

Songsmith Steve Cartwright from Leicester is a not unworthy succesor to Carthy and shares the latter's interest in Eastern instruments. On this, his fourth album, both 'The Slice Of The Moon' and 'I Wish I Had The Love' sparkle with tablas and sitar whereas elsewhere the line-up is standard folk-country-rock minus drums.

The Ballad Of The Pendle Witches' and 'The Ballad Of Lindsay Martin' are two of Cartwright's narratives which make fine additions to the tradition while 'Don't It Make You Sorry' brings Paul Brady to mind.

Sadly, the album is weakened by the rank ordinariness of songs like 'It Ain't In Me' and 'I Am Just A Country Boy'. Cartwright's infectious hooklines department must have been on a go slow for this outing. Promising and ordinary in equal parts.