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Product Description
Review
The gift in question here, one gathers, is a handing of talent from generation to generation; Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy are, after all, the sublimely gifted mother and daughter who make up part of British folk's great dynasty. This is not, by a long chalk, their first attempt at working together–they have sung together many times, as well as in the family ensemble Waterson: Carthy. But Gift is notable for being the first album they have set down as a duo.
Mother and daughter make for beguiling singing partners: voices that meet and match, but at times, too, push against one another. There is a beautiful weight and grain to Waterson's singing here particularly, so that when she is joined by her daughter, Carthy's voice seems to bring a gleam and a polish.
The songs are a rich and plentiful selection, from Poor Wayfaring Stranger and Bunch of Thyme to the unlikely segueing of Ukulele Lady and Amen Corner's (If Paradise Is) Half as Nice, are at times strong and sad and stoic, while at others giddy and headstrong.
The arguable highlight is closer Shallow Brown, a song of farewell with a real sway and swell and swagger to it. Backed variously by other family members, including Eliza's father Martin Carthy on guitar as well as her cousin Oliver Knight on electric guitar, vocals and cello, there is a real sense of congregation and rootedness about this song, and indeed this record as a whole. Long may the dynasty flourish.
--Laura BartonFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Mike Harding
The new album Gift by Eliza Carthy and Norma Waterson is one of the finest things I have heard in years, two women in great voice singing with complete absorption and commitment and with a rack of learning and wisdom behind them that goes deep into the roots of the music. I love it to bits and I suspect that lots more people will love it too, because it is the real thing.
..Gift is an album replete with dedication to the cause and joyous counterpoint, mother and daughter in total accord; the sense of empathy and commitment is absolutely spine-tingling, and I really don't think any of these two extraordinary voices have ever sounded better...
'Impressive - even by their standards'
..Gift is an album replete with dedication to the cause and joyous counterpoint, mother and daughter in total accord; the sense of empathy and commitment is absolutely spine-tingling, and I really don't think any of these two extraordinary voices have ever sounded better...
'Impressive - even by their standards'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
First ever album from mother and daughter Norma and Eliza and well worth buying. I'm a huge fan of Norma Waterson and like Eliza although I find a lot of her solo stuff a bit hard to swallow. Many big names on the album, dad Martin and Martin Simpson included. Robin Denselow in 'the Guardian' gave it a 5* rating and i'd certainly go along with that!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I kind of enjoyed listening to the odd folk music but not a great fan. Then I heard Norma's first solo album, released in 1996 and I have been a fan of hers ever since.
This is such an "easy" album to listen to with a good blend of songs. Mother and daughter's voices blend well together.
This is such an "easy" album to listen to with a good blend of songs. Mother and daughter's voices blend well together.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
My difficulty in listening to this album lies in the fact that the Waterson-Carthy appeal is so esoteric, so that passers-by who are not tuned in are likely to declare 'what a row' because of the style of delivery, rather than the content. I, personally, am not one of these and have been a fan of all the Watersons since the mid-1960s, when this definitive folk revival family was in its heyday. While I prefer tracks in which Mrs and Ms Carthy stick to pure folk roots, I respect their right to sample other musical styles. I also support professional reviewers' singling-out of 'A Bunch of Thyme' as a distinctive, heart-rending piece which, for me, was worth the cost of the album on its own. DR, August 2010
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Too Worthy For Me
This was a real disappointment. I had read such glowing reviews and seen videos of Eliza singing and playing which I really enjoyed, but this was just too "worthy" for me. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Big Al
Gift
I bought this CD for myself and then another copy as a 'Gift' for a friend's birthday. It is really excellent - Well done Eliza and Norma!
Published 14 months ago by jubilate
the gift
I have been quite disapointed with this album harmonies not in time not always in tune not sure how this won best bbc folk album award
Published 15 months ago by david
Perfect gift
What a challenge this album must have been to produce, mother and daughter for a start and it's not liked they haven't worked together before, yet they have managed to produce some... Read more
Published 15 months ago by ali_cam
Another Goodie from the First family of English Folk
Another Goodie from the First family of English Folk. Of the standard we expect from mother and daughter
Published 21 months ago by Mrs. Aileen E. Grist
not a gift for me
bought after an article i read in the telegraph
not heard before
i like stuff about every day life ..people ..events
i didn't care for this album.. Read more
not heard before
i like stuff about every day life ..people ..events
i didn't care for this album.. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mrs. Heather Barbour
Brilliant
Please see my review at amazon.com
Thanks,
JB
PS, shouldn't we be able to merge???
Thanks,
JB
PS, shouldn't we be able to merge???
Published 21 months ago by John Bailey
An Essential Buy from UKs Top Folk Family
Wonderful to have mother and daughter together on this CD. I'm a great fan anyway, but this one excels. Read more
Published 21 months ago by PenM
Family Sing Song...
Norma Waterson's voice grows better over the years, this combined with Eliza's ever growing talent makes this a very lovely experience. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Elizabeth J Clinton
Gift/ Norma Waterson/Elza Carthy
Absolutely fabulous. Best singers in the country, Norma and Eliza,mother and daughter. What a gift.
Published 21 months ago by Lynn Breeze
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