At Somerton festival this week we Saw Martin Carthy, if you don’t know, Martin Carthy for the past 40 years as been at the forefront of the British folk music scene. He has played in Fairport Convention, Brass Monkey and more recently with Daughter Eliza, and luminaries, such as Billy Bragg, Chris Wood and Paul Weller. At 70 Martin is still erudite and sharp. His encyclopaedic knowledge and fact recall of music is astonishing. Folk music may not be your bag, but what we are talking about here, is how early music, let modern ears, have its music today. Carthy for example explained that there was a pipe tune written during the Napoleonic Wars, played when the allies entered Paris. During it’s time, for the younger soldiers, it became the number 1 hit to the power of 20. Sadly, this tune was hated by the stiff upper lipped Duke of Wellington. So much that he ordered it to stop being played with immediate effect and instead a Catholic bashing tune called “Croppies lay down” be played instead. This was the best thing that ever happened to this tune, this single action had the “Sex pistols” effect, everyone, wanted to hear it. Folk music at its very essence are stories reflecting the thoughts and news of its day, written by people for the people. So you say you don’t like folk music. At some point in our lives we have all been touched by this genre. Some of the best punk bands produced some of the greatest folk tunes reflecting the time and culture and these punk tunes, are still being sung 30 years on: think Ade Edmondson and the Bad Sheppard’s. I had the pleasure of talking to Martin during the evening. What was displayed during these conversations was this mans love and passion for music. He has seen many influences in music come and go and not dissimilar to John Peel he has believed and supported them all. Martin Carthy is the consummate professional. And if you ever have the opportunity to seem live solo or in a band jump at it
Take it easy