Prince Heathen [CD]

"Prince Heathen" is the fifth album from Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick. The album was recorded in 1969 and it is fabulous. It is truly a great album. It is possibly the better of the first five albums. The album was the last studio album before Dave became full time member of Fairport Convention and Martin became a member of Steeleye Span.
The partnership of Carthy and Swarbrick goes from strength to strength as these albums progress and this album is a great folk recording.
The album is another collection of English and British Traditional Folk songs. There is obviously a lot of thought that has gone into the song selections and the arrangements.
The opening song "Arthur McBride and the sergeant" is a jaunty piece with catchy repeated phrasing. "Salisbury Pain" concerns the lament of a young girl that falls in love with man she meets on Salisbury Plain. It turns out that the man has a reputation as a womaniser and then ends up in Newgate Jail after being a highwayman. Meanwhile "Polly on the shore" and "The Rainbow" are sea tales. There is sadness in "died for love". It is a beautiful melody, which is sung by Martin with no instrumentation. There is also a fantastic version of "Staines Morris". It's a great recording. Then the quality continues with a hauntingly wonderful version of "Reynardine". This song that touches on the magic of the fox would also become popular with Fairport Convention. "Seven yellow gypsies" is an interesting traditional piece compiled from more than one version. Then we get Martin singing without instrumentation again on "Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard" It is a story of "Little Musgrave" who gets involved with a married woman. The title track "Prince Heathen" is an old popular ballad, which this time concerns "Prince heathen" who seduces a lady. Finally the album ends with a great recording of "The Wren". I love this version of the traditional song,

The wide experience of Martin Carthy, even up to this point in 1969, shows up on this album in terms of both the wonderful guitar work and vocals, and also in style and originality. This lovely album came at a strong point during the folk revival of the 1960s. Martin Carthy shows his ability to give prime importance to the words he is singing. His phrasing helps to push the lyrics forward to tell their traditional story. And this is never in conflict with the rhythm of the guitar. He has a unique ability to complement his own voice with his guitar.
He has become a champion of English traditional folk songs and this fifth album is a fantastic example of the richness and beauty in our musical heritage.
The performance is magical and professional. And the sound is clear and full-bodied. And there is a wonderful simplicity in the over all sound that seems like a perfect way to interpret these songs.
We have the purity of the voice that delivers the words and on some tracks, to add colour we get this very interesting guitar playing as well.
Equally Dave Swarbrick is an outstanding fiddle player and the contribution on this recording is essential to its greatness.
We now know that Swarbrick went on to become an important figure in the folk revival just as Carthy did. He performed as a duo with Carthy on many recordings and was a lead member of Fairport Convention. Here he shares equal billing with Carthy and the fiddle playing is excellent.

"Prince Heathen" is an important album in the history of recordings of English Traditional Folk music and is highly recommended.

This was the follow-up album to Martin Carthy "First Album" (1965), confusingly chronologically before MC "Second Album" (I think!!)and at least Dave Swarbrick is credited on the cover!!! Cover art is different from the vinyl LP on this CD, but I suppose that is only noticeable to Carthy/Swarb anoraks like me! Those who are looking to replace their vinyl edition (like me!) will regret the passing of the painted portraits.

However, none of this affects the music, which is as smoothly skillful and dazzling as usual with these two superb musicians. I think that this album is less accessible than the first, containing as it does more long ballads, and less of the well-known material, but you have got marvellous intricately-fingered gems like Arthur MacBride (which Swarb put on one of his instrumental albums, it was such a great tune)and beautiful melodies like Polly on the Shore.

If you like these performers already, then you'll love this, but for an introduction to their work, go for the first album, or indeed their latest, Straws in the Wind.