In case you missed it, we reviewed Eliza Carthy’s new album Queen of the Whirl here. The album is being released on 11 November, and we have just been treated to a new video – Good Morning Mr Walker (Slinger and Norma Go To The Dancehall Mix).
Eliza sums up her relationship with her own music most succinctly in the liner notes when she says it is “about stories and connection and love and bollocks.” It is indeed, but fantastically so. Buy this album if you already know her work, buy it if you are new, then enjoy a deep dig backwards; either way, she should be an inspiration to all; that famous name is in safe hands and continues to move this music forward.
Danny Neill, Folk Radio
The earliest songs on the album include ‘Whirly Whorl’ and ‘Good Morning, Mr Walker’ from Eliza Carthy & The Kings of Calicutt released in 1997 on Topic Records.
‘Good Morning, Mr Walker’ is the only track to feature guests, known collectively as The Sweet Rosemarys, who include Jon Boden and John Spiers, Sheema Mukherjee, Rory MacLeod, Angeline Morrison and the Mighty Sparrow’s bandleader himself, Lane Steinberg.
Eliza: My mother Norma Waterson came home from the West Indies in the 1960s having been a DJ on Radio Antilles for four years, with a love for Calypso and Sparrow that never died, and passed that love on to me, her Yorkshire singing girl. Since 1995 or so we have been singing this song in her honour (that woman fed and sometimes clothed my band, for so many years!). Now is the time, since she passed in January 2022, to bring them together but in the joy too that my audience has had in Mr. Francisco’s brilliant and warmhearted piece of Calypso history. Respect and admiration!
Queen of the Whirl is out on 11 November 2022 (CD/LP) – Pre-order here
Eliza Carthy & The Restitution on tour 2022
Tickets: https://eliza-carthy.com/gigs
23 Nov 2022 – MASHAM TOWN HALL, MASHAM
24 Nov 2022 – DISS CORN HALL, DISS
25 Nov 2022 – HOWARD ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LEEDS
26 Nov 2022 – LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LUDLOW
27 Nov 2022 – GREYSTONES, SHEFFIELD
28 Nov 2022 – THE GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM
29 Nov 2022 – BRIGHTON KOMEDIA, BRIGHTON
30 Nov 2022 – GLEE CLUB, CARDIFF
01 Dec 2022 – TURNER SIMS CONCERT HALL, SOUTHAMPTON
02 Dec 2022 – TOWNHALL, CHIPPING NORTON
03 Dec 2022 – SAGE GATESHEAD, GATESHEAD
04 Dec 2022 – BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER
05 Dec 2022 – JUNCTION 1, CAMBRIDGE
04 Feb 2023 – BARBICAN, LONDON (Tickets)