Both Ears & The Tail

by Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

Overview

Before Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick decided to mix tradition with rock & roll in the late '60s, they zealously performed traditional English folk. Both Ears and the Tail find the two of them performing a live, acoustic set from 1966. The material is traditional, with Carthy on guitar and vocals, and Swarbrick on fiddle and mandolin. This performance is immediate and friendly, complete with stories -- the true story of how their train hit a cow on the way to the gig -- and pleasant banter in-between songs. They deliver a lovely version of "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" and a lively take of "High Germany." These ballads tell stories of ribaldry, robbery, and betrayal. "Fair Maid on the Shore" tells of a captain who entreats his crew to bring a maid aboard his boat, only to be robbed by her once everyone has fallen asleep. "The Bonny Black Hare" is a wonderful bawdy song, chock-full of double entendres, while "The Broomfield Hill" tells of a maid who bets a squire that she can go to the woods with him and return a virgin. There are also a number of sparkling jigs and reels including "The Hens March/The Four Poster Bed" and "Dill Pickles Rag." This lively set is a fine example of how young English musicians updated traditional music, injecting it with vitality while respecting its origins. For Carthy and Swarbrick fans, and lovers of good English folk music, this is a timeless and enjoyable disc. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/18/2021
Label:	Hem Hem
UPC:	5056083206674
Rank:	105483

Tracks

1. The Leitrim Fancy/Drowsy Maggie/Staten Island/The Corbie and the Craw: High Germany
2. Fair Maid on the Shore
3. Porcupine Rag
4. The Bonnie Black Hare
5. Sovay (The Female Highwayman)
6. The Barmaid/Peter St./The Mason¿¿¿s Apron
7. The Broomfield Hill
8. The Wind that Shakes the Barley
9. The Hens March/The Four Poster Bed
10. Man of Newlyn Town
11. Dill Pickles Rag
12. Two Magicians
13. The Kid on the Mountain/The Donegal/The Swallowstail/The Marquis of Tullybardine
14. The Medley: Kid on the Mountain/The Donegal/The Swallowstail/The Marquis of Tullybardine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dave Swarbrick   Primary Artist,Fiddle
Martin Carthy   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Dave Swarbrick   Arranger,Performer
Scott Joplin   Composer
Jill Banks   Cover Design
Martin Jenkins   Mastering,Artwork
Martin Carthy   Liner Notes,Arranger
Traditional   Composer