Only a few albums warrant being designated genre-defining and/or so important that they changed music…The Watersons’ Frost & Fire is one of them; it remains a revelatory and seminal album and this vinyl reissue by Topic Records is an essential purchase.
First released in 1965, The Watersons’ seminal traditional folk album ‘Frost And Fire: A Calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs’, is to be re-released by Topic Records with a vinyl pressing at 45RPM.
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 one of the greatest voices of the British folk scene has died, age 82. We look back on her rich musical life and her enduring legacy. The intimacy and connection she made with an audience stayed with you long after she left the stage. There will be no other like her.
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.
Part One of our Best Folk Albums of 2018 includes Brigid Mae Power, Anna & Elizabeth, Aidan O’Rourke, Eamon O’Leary, Buck Curran, Cath & Phil Tyler, Dom Flemons, Kitty Macfarlane, Mike Vass, Toby Hay, Duncan Chisholm and more.
Where this collection succeeds is in bringing together a fine platter of masterclass high points from a 50+ year career that, for the first time in some cases, finally gives Norma the kudos she deserves.
With their new Anchor album already out and having the critics dishing out stars liberally, we met with the peerless mother and daughter duo to discuss the recording of the project, musical censorship and making a follow-up.
Anchor is a deeply intelligent and fresh selection of songs. The theme of perennial bonds through family friends and music shows its hand throughout and wraps up something very special. Another deeply satisfying, beautifully sang and arranged album of songs from a peerless musical family.
On An Introduction to The Watersons and Waterson:Carthy, Topic records cover a 40 year period within 15 songs – a superb and timely retrospective of a vital shaping force in contemporary British folk. A collective musical vision of exhilarating purity, beauty, and power.
Topic Records announce the release of Anchor – a new album from mother and daughter, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy. Produced by Neill MacColl and Kate St. John, it will be released on 1st June 2018. Listen to them performing The Elfin Knight.
Our Song of the Day comes from Waterson:Carthy, this Union Chapel gig from 2002 was recorded live for BBC4 and for this performance featured both Saul Rose and Tim Van Eyken alongside Norma Waterson, Martin and Eliza Carthy.
