Folk legend reaches the end of the road. He did it his way.
A message from Eliza Carthy:
“Dear everyone,
A month ago, Martin, at 84, was diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimers Disease. While his doctor initially suggested that Dad would and should be able to tour in the Spring, and we were hoping to use the tour to say goodbye to Dad’s many fans, it now appears that this won’t be possible or advisable for his health.
Dad sends his love and regrets to everyone hoping to see him one more time. Eliza will fulfil these shows, and will try to honour his legacy as much as possible. Our family thanks you for your patience and love.”
One of the all-time greats. I was privileged to see his final public performance (as it now is) at the Gaughan tribute concert in Glasgow last Sunday. He performed ‘Bonny Woodhall’ with Eliza and Kris Drever. Words were forgotten but his voice came across strong – the sound engineer was brilliant – it felt like a heroic performance in honour of an old friend. He received a spontaneous standing ovation. Everyone there knew the end was near and we’ll not see his like again.
I’m proud to have curated the forthcoming 20CD ‘Along the Road Forever: Live at the BBC 1965-2022’ (Madfish) – out in late spring. It underlines in one place the depth and quality of his artistic achievement.
I first ‘saw’ Martin one afternoon in 1986, in this wonderful 10-minute BBC2 portrait. It’s still the best evocation on film on what he’s about.
I hadn’t seen that and it certainly is a lovely film.
A legend undoubtedly, and of course a lovely bloke with whom I’ve been fortunate to spend just a little bit of quality time over the years. His legacy will be the better for him not doing that last spring tour, disappointing as that will be to some. He should be allowed to retire in peace; I’m sure his many friends in the folk world will wear the path to North Yorkshire to keep him connected.
Colin & TCC couldn’t have put it better for the great man
The way that first sentence is phrased made me think that this was an obituary… thankfully not. I wish him well, I once had a very surreal 15 minutes talking to him and Vashti Bunyan, with Beth Orton listening in. Lovely bloke. He’s really the centre of the folk cosmos.
We have no right to ask any more of him. In the great live albums thread I thought of making a late submission for Carthy and Swarb’s Both Ears and the Tail, which I’ve been playing on repeat for the last couple of weeks. I’ll post a YouTube link for The Wind that Shakes the Barley here.
The announcement isn’t a huge surprise. The last time, of many, that we saw him was an evening of song and conversation with Jon Wilkes in late 2024. There was a real spark in 83 year old Martin when he stood up with his guitar, but in the seated conversation pieces it was clear that Jon was there to give prompts and keep the conversation on track. ‘So, Martin, you were telling us that Bob Dylan made his first British appearance there … ?’ We had already decided that we didn’t want to see the Eliza and Martin gig, now Eliza and guests, at Cecil Sharp House and preserve our memories of him.
I agree, I think it’s great when people retire with dignity rather than struggling on in diminished form. I saw Peter Green in two relaunch manifestations and I wish I hadn’t.
Thanks, @colin-h , for that lovely film; I hadn’t seen it before. He seems to attract nothing but love and affection from those who come into contact with him. A huge presence in my listening, from sneaking into the Leeds Arms Folk Club, as a 16 year old, hear him, right up to a B’ham gig 2 years ago, at the Kitchen Garden Cafe. He was happy to talk with anyone who wished, and, when I was thanking him for 50 years of pleasure, was genuinely humble. And could remember the name of the Lewes Arms FC organiser, Vic Smith, which was more than I could or did.
https://atthebarrier.com/2024/03/13/martin-carthy-kitchen-garden-cafe-birmingham-live-review/amp/
I hope he gets the rest he deserves. Top man.
Indeed! Vic is a regular contributor to the Facebook group ‘Folkprint – 20th folk & roots print ephemera’ (posters, flyers, press scans).
I got the bad news from a local venue yesterday – Eliza is stepping in and I fully expect it to be a fine evening – I’m sure most ticket holders will be there partly to let Eliza and her guests know how much we think of her dad, and to wish him well.
I think that it would certainly help Eliza in both senses – the ‘standing with’ aspect re Martin and also purely as a working musician. I’m sure she’ll put on a good show – and I believe the dates will also feature one or two performers linked to Martin.
There’s an interview with him on this, he’s on first.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qtfd?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
I met him last year in July at a funeral he was looking and sounding frail then.