Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick is a British folk duo active from 1966 to 1969. The group consists of Martin Carthy, an English folk singer and guitarist, and Dave Swarbrick, an English folk musician known for his fiddle playing.

Background

Martin Carthy emerges as a major figure in British traditional music through the early folk revival, and is described as having influenced other musicians including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Richard Thompson. Dave Swarbrick joins the Ian Campbell Folk Group in 1960 and becomes noted for his work on fiddle before forming the duo with Carthy.

Recorded work

The pair begin working together in 1966 and become one of the best-known folk duos of the 1960s. Because of contractual issues, Swarbrick receives second billing on Carthy’s first three albums. They then share credit on But Two Came By in 1968. Prince Heathen, issued in 1969, is regarded by many critics as their strongest recording together.

Later recognition

After their original period of activity, the duo release Straws in the Wind. In 2007, they win the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards' Best Duo award.