Customer Reviews:
 Sampler not Anthology October 3, 2007
Pismotality (London, England)
While it isn't comprehensive, this is a good sampler for Martin Carthy's 1960s recordings: canny marketing or happy aesthetic coincidence means there are precisely two songs each from six albums recorded between 1965 and 1971. It's labelled "a collection," not necessarily a best of (though you do get the Simon-shaming Scarborough Fair) and is mathematically laid out: one track from each album in chronological order then back to another from the first album at track seven and so on. Presumably it was also issued on vinyl, where that arrangement would make more sense - though it's testament to Carthy's consistency that you don't notice any variation when the years recede.
If you already know Martin Carthy's work then the original albums are around the same price so this not overgenerous compilation may be redundant; certainly, from the one original album I've heard, Byker Hill, there doesn't seem the need for a chaff/wheat sorting single disc. If, however, you're simply looking to test the waters then this seems an excellent introduction to a singer who is able to invest these songs with the same passion as those elderly singers in field recordings. And his guitar playing doesn't distract, or sweeten the overall effect: it serves the voice and the individual mood of each song - thrillingly percussive and raw on Seven Yellow Gypsies, for example, or proving that less is more when creating the dreamlike mood for Scarborough Fair.
Note, incidentally, that another inexpensive compilation entitled "Definitive Collection" features a lot of band sides; this is solo voice with guitar and occasional fiddle.
If you're trying to interest students in folk music this is more accessible than the Alan Lomax recordings, and far richer than the emptily beautiful singing of, say, Joan Baez (even if there is a widely available folk songbook in her name). The recently issued Folk Handbook, including eminently sensible notes by Carthy, and sheet music for a few of the songs here, can also be highly recommended for educational purposes or general enlightenment.
Early Gems from the Master of British Traditional Folksong January 11, 2002
Neil Davie (Pontcharra, France)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Here is a collection of some of Martin Carthy's finest work from the mid- and late-60s, when, in collaboration with innovative violinist Dave Swarbrick, he brought a new artistry - vocal and instrumental - to the performance of British folk songs. There was no shortage of good guitarists and good singers around at the time, but Carthy was the first to excel at both! He went on to influence a whole generation of folk musicians (including a young Bob Dylan).My only gripe (hence the 4 stars)is that Topic could have provided a more extensive selection from the half-dozen or so albums Carthy recorded between 1965 and 1970.
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