Tune in to top folk band (From Stroud News and Journal)

Tune in to top folk band

THE First Family of English folk, Waterson: Carthy, come to the Subscription Rooms next week.

Unrivalled in British traditional music, Waterson: Carthy are one of the finest traditional live acts performing today.

The band is made up of Martin Carthy Norma Waterson, Eliza Carthy and Tim van Eyken.

Martin Carthy is one of the giants of contemporary British music. He is widely regarded as one of the finest singers and interpreters of traditional music from the British Isles, as well as a highly influential guitarist.

During the past forty years, Martin has worked with a host of significant British folk artists including Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick, The Albion Band, The Watersons, and Brass Monkey, as well as maintaining a busy solo career.

Norma Waterson formed The Watersons in the early 60's with her sister Lal, brother Mike and cousin John They went on to become the most influential vocal harmony group of the times, and had achieved near cult status by the time they stopped touring in the late 60's.

Norma has one of the strongest and truest voices that contemporary folk music has produced.

Eliza Carthy is the remarkable daughter of Martin and Norma, who has firmly established herself as a solo artist very much in her own right.

Whilst her commitment to the British tradition is unquestionable, she has injected traditional songs and contemporary compositions with electronic and dub effects.

She received a Mercury Music Prize nomination for a second album release, Red Rice.

Traditional songs remain at the heart of their repertoire, but the family are not averse to including contemporary songs and have a wide following as a consequence.

The concert takes place on Thursday, May 26 at 8pm. Tickets, priced £12.50 or £10.50 concessions, are available from the Subscription Rooms Box Office.