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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This is the first album from this giant of British folk music for over a decade. Martin Carthy (MBE)'s sparse, refined guitar phrasing has influenced a whole generation of singer-songwriters, from the melancholy inward musings of Nick Drake, through Richard Thompson and Paul Simon, to Bob Dylan's "ancient and modern" style. His plaintive voice is in full effect here on sensitive covers of The Bee Gees' "New York Mining Disaster 1941" and the traditional "Prince Heathen"--as is his unique guitar instrumentation. "Heartbreak Hotel", meanwhile, is reinterpreted as a lonesome country blues. With occasional help from daughter Eliza, this is an album that proves folk rockers like Carthy only grow in stature with the passing of time. --Everett True
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Signs of Life is a great record., 17 Feb 2001
By "ian@awenet.com" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Signs of Life (Audio CD)
As good as any of Carthy's recordings. His guitar playing is generally more spare, but no less dazzling: His tone is large, chunky, and gorgeous, and his time is exciting and strange. Carthy's singing has not gone downhill in the slightest - I would much rather listen to his voice now than 30 years ago. One reviewer has questioned the inclusion of newer songs, although Carthy has recorded great renditions of non-traditional songs throughout the years. (Listen to Nothing Rhymed on Because It's There.) I could do without Heartbreak Hotel and The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll, but I like New York Mine Disaster, John Parfit, and especially the delightful Hong Kong Blues. If you'd rather he stick to the old songs, there's still an lp's worth, including a driving Sir Patrick Spens w/Eliza (following Nic Jones' tune), and The Deserter, which is very beautiful.
If you like Martin Carthy, you should like this record. If you don't know if you like Martin Carthy, this is a good place to start. The live Life and Limb (w/Dave Swarbrick, featuring an unbelievable Byker Hill) would be better, but it's out of print.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Godfather of British Folk Music is a Master Storyteller!, 2 Jun 2007
By Sylviastel - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Signs of Life (Audio CD)
I was researching Martin Carthy and had to hear his and his wife's voice. He is married to Norma Waterson. They were both honored by the Queen of England with MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) although separately for their services to music. I used some of the songs here like Sir Patrick Spens, The Wife of Usher's Well, and Barbary Ellen to play for senior English students who were studying British folk music as part of the Prentice hall curriculum. Anyway, I know the students were not fond of British folk or American folk in Newark, New Jersey. But I felt since I was teaching the three songs that Martin Carthy and this Compact Disc was an invaulable tool. Rather than just reading the ballads, we hear it. Carthy is a master storyteller and so is his wife, Norma and their family are just traditional British folk storytellers. He is an influence even on American folk musicians. British folk is an aquired taste but once you acquire it, you won't forget the heart and soul of this compact disc filled with stories to be told.
The list is as follows:
New York Mine Disaster 1941
Georgie
Sir Patrick Spens
The Deserter
Heartbreak Hotel
The Bonny Hind
The Wife of Usher's Well
John Parfit
Barbary Ellen
Hong Kong Blues
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Prince Heathen
Jim Jones in Botany Bay
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A singer, a guitar, and a great pick of songs..., 26 Oct 1999
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Signs of Life (Audio CD)
OK, it's simple. Mr. Carthy, his voice, and guitar. A little violin on four songs, harmonica on one. Performed and recorded directly, plainly, clearly. Beautiful and strong. Just listen.And a solid selection of songs- terrific trad stuff, strong performances, and find mixed in some unexpected material. The Bee Gees? Heartbreak Hotel? Hong Kong Blues? Cool. And a great version of The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol. All delivered in a way that makes the whole recording feel a single piece.
Quite nice. I like this record
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