Atrax Records: TheSwarbStore: Atrax Records Releases: Both Ears and the Tail

Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

'Both Ears and the Tail'

£13.00 (inc. UK p&p)

EUR 23.00 (inc. European p&p) / $21.00 (inc. worldwide p&p)

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Information; Track-Listing; Reviews etc.

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Swarb and Martin have released a live album. The unusual thing about this one is that it was recorded in 1966 in Nottingham and includes their experience of travelling to the gig on a train that ran over a cow! References were made at the time to awarding the driver both ears and the tail, hence the title. Martin's notes are poignant and witty and the whole project was made possible by the sound engineer from the gig, Keith Brake, who had kept the tape in immaculate condition for 34 years.

SIGNED COPIES (BY BOTH DAVE & MARTIN) AVAILABLE ON REQUEST!

Track-Listing:

 

01. The Leitrim Fancy/ Drowsy Maggie/ Staten Island/ The Corbie and the Crow/ High Germany
02. Fair Maid on the Shore
03. Porcupine Rag
04. The Bonny Black Hare
05. Sovay(The Female Highwayman)
06. The Barmaid/ Peter St./ The Mason's Apron
07. The Broomfield Hill
08. The Wind That Shakes The Barley
09. The Hens March/ The Four Poster Bed
10. Newlyn Town
11. Dill Pickles Rag
12. The Two Magicians
13. The Kid on the Mountain/ The Donegal/ The Swallowtail/ The Marquis of Tullybardine

Martin Carthy: guitar; vocals;

Dave Swarbrick: fiddle; mandolin.

Recorded live at the Folkus Folk Club, Nottingham - 1966.

 Reviews:

Both Ears and the Tail by Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy

Both Ears and the Tail
By
Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy

Originally recorded at the Folkus Folk Club, Nottingham in 1966, the tapes were kept by the sound engineer for over 30 years. Eventually coming to light earlier this year, Mr. Swarbrick got hold of these remarkably well preserved artifacts and produced this splendid piece.

What strikes the listener first of all is the sheer speed and excitement of the playing. It's a simple reminder of how vital and powerful traditional music can be and why it was very much in the mainstream in the 60s and 70s.

Much of the material is still familiar from this duo's present day repertoire. "Sovay (The Female Highwayman)", "The Hens March" and "The Bonny Black Hare" all make an appearance, but this is more to do with the quality of the songs and tunes standing the test of time than it is with a lack of imagination on the part of the performers.

Martin's sleeve notes are as informative as always and the quality of the music is, at times, truly astounding.

Folk on Tap - www.folking.com

 

Published in 'The Ledge' Magazine

MARTIN CARTHY AND DAVE SWARBRICK - BOTH EARS AND THE TAIL ATRAX RECORDS ATRAXOO2

Recorded at the Folkus folk club in 1966 the title comes from an incident that happened on the way to the gig, which Martin explains in the sleeve notes. The duo had not been working together for very long, with the bulk of their material being from the tracks Swarb had contributed to on Martin’s album, and a selection of tunes that Swarb played regularly. At this point in his career Swarb did not sing on stage, but already a master on fiddle and mandolin, which you can hear throughout this album which was recorded by the sound engineers testing out their new equipment. It must be said that the sound quality is excellent. The songs and tunes will be nearly all familiar, “The Corbie And The Craw”, “High Germany”, “Porcupine Rag”, “The Hens March / Four Poster Bed” and so on. They were still finding their way around certain pieces, you can hear Swarb asking what’s next, be it a key change or the next tune in a medley. This was a priceless find, at the time it was all new and fresh, it still sounds fresh, though in the interim we have heard most of the material recorded elsewhere.

Ian Burgess of Friends of Fairport

Last updated on 01 November 2002