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"
"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
fans, and lovers of good English folk music, this is a timeless and enjoyable disc. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.