martin carthy

Jon Wilks releases his rendition of “Geordie” on September 4th, marking fifty years of Martin Carthy’s “Crown of Horn.” Carthy’s version was so definitive that recording his own “always felt like turning up to a house that was already lived in.” The Songs of Martin Carthy tour changed that — two semitones up, with a new jaunt and swing.

Eliza Carthy pays tribute to Martin Carthy on her new single ‘Mr Sits in the Dark’, out today on Hem-Hem Records and accompanied by a video created by Marry Waterson. Her new album, Frenemies, will follow in the Autumn, featuring special guests, including Jools Holland, Robyn Hitchcock, Miranda Richardson, and more, with a special album launch party at Dingwalls on October 22nd.

A major archival release celebrates Martin Carthy MBE. “Along The Road Forever: Live At The BBC (1965-2022)” collects 328 recordings — 22½ hours across 20 CDs, spanning his solo work, his duo with Dave Swarbrick, with his daughter, Eliza Carthy, as well as Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, The Watersons and Waterson:Carthy. It includes an 80-page book with a new Clinton Heylin essay.

In a pleasantly surprising turn of events, the Mercury Prize has included folk legend Martin Carthy’s latest album, “Transform Me Then Into A Fish,” on its 2025 shortlist. This announcement, made today, marks the 84-year-old musician as the oldest artist ever nominated for this prestigious award.

To commemorate his remarkable music career and 84th birthday, folk music legend Martin Carthy will release “Transform Me Then Into A Fish” on May 21st, 2025.

As part of their 85th anniversary, Topic Records reissue Martin Carthy’s self-titled debut solo album on vinyl – an iconic, almost peerless release, read why this album is as essential a listen now as it was in 1965.

In 1971, Granada TV decided to make a special 30-minute concert on Ainsdale beach featuring Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. Watch the entire set – 30 minutes of excellent classic folk-rock.

The Sidmouth Folk Festival have announced a special tribute concert to Norma Waterson led by Martin and Eliza Carthy and featuring a number of special guests and good friends.

Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy now 82 and 80 years old have had their incomes severely impacted by Covid and illness and need your support to help raise funds until Martin and Eliza can return to touring and again become self-sufficient.

For health reasons, Martin and Eliza Carthy’s Autumn & Winter work went down. They now have a heap of early 2022 duo dates as well as Eliza Carthy Trio dates in April 2022. Don’t miss their online concert this month.

Watch Martin Carthy in concert for the Library of Congress and watch a two part interview covering his early years, Dave Swarbrick, Steeleye Span, Norma Waterson, Lal and Mike Waterson, the making of Bright Phoebus, Eliza Carthy, The Watersons, forming Waterson:Carthy and more.

Strings that Nimble Leap is a collection of the highest quality, with beautiful instruments being played by some of the very best musicians in the game. 52 artists including Martin Simpson, Martin Carthy, Andy Irvine Nic Jones, Charlotte Carrivick, Lisa Hannigan and more.