Martin Carthy - Transform Me Then Into A Fish (2025) [Official Digital Download]

Martin Carthy is 84 today, the day that Transform Me Then Into A Fish is released. I first heard him live in 1968 or 69 and many times since and a great deal of water has flowed under the bridge since then. To celebrate his birthday, he has taken as his starting point his eponymous 1965 debut album. This is no simple copy, though – some tracks have been omitted and some added and all are new recordings.

As I said, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and, while Martin’s guitar playing is as strong and dynamic as ever, there is no getting away from the fact that his is now the voice of a more elderly gentleman. I had this fantasy of going back in time a century or so ago and hearing him singing these songs to Cecil Sharp or RVW. Not unreasonable, for some of them are at the core of English folk music.

TRACKLIST

1. Martin Carthy - The Trees They Do Grow High
2. Martin Carthy - Ye Mariners All
3. Martin Carthy - Lovely Joan
4. Martin Carthy - Dream Of Napoleon
5. Martin Carthy - Eighteenth of June
6. Martin Carthy - The Handsome Cabin Boy
7. Martin Carthy - A-Begging I Will Go
8. Martin Carthy - High Germany
9. Martin Carthy - The Famous Flower Of Serving Men
10. Martin Carthy - Scarborough Fair
11. Martin Carthy - The Ballad Of Springhill



Thanks to the Original customer.