Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

Tickets

The online purchase facility for tickets is now closed. Tickets may be bought from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre (tel 01305 267992).

There may be a few tickets for sale on the door as well. Doors open at 7pm.

Chesil Promotions is delighted to announce that the legendary folk duo will be performing at the Dorchester Corn exchange on 26 September 2009 as part of their annual tour. This is a wonderful opportunity to see two of folk music's finest performers in historic setting of this fine Victorian hall in the heart of the County Town of Dorset.

They will be supported by local folk duo Fingerz 'n' Fretz

Tickets are now available online and from the Dorchester Tourism Centre by phoning 01305 267992

A startlingly intense reunion from this legendary, ground-breaking duo. All the old skills are demonstrated with a new collection of traditional songs and instrumentals. Their experienced approach to their art lacks none of the fervour of their early days, and brings a maturity born of many years living with the music that is an integral part of their beings.

For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music's greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly
controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it. He's a ballad singer, a ground-breaking acoustic and electric-guitarist and an authoritative interpreter of newly composed material. He always prefers to follow an insatiable musical curiosity rather than cash in on his unrivalled position. Perhaps, most significant of all, are his settings of traditional songs with guitar, which have influenced a generation of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Regarded by many as Britain’s finest folk fiddler Dave Swarbrick has inspired and influenced countless musicians over five decades. From his early work with the Ian Campbell Folk Group and his groundbreaking time with Fairport Convention he has continued to be at the forefront of the British folk movement. Famously killed off by the Daily Telegraph in 1999, Swarb continues to confound the press and the medical profession. He won his battle with emphysema after a life saving, double lung transplant in 2004 and his resilience and strength enabled him to return to the road. Since then he has travelled Britain, Europe and Australia playing with his new band, Swarb’s Lazarus, and has been re-united with both Martin Carthy and Alistair Hulett for outstanding duo tours.

This remarkable pairing played an important part in the tremendous shake up given to British folk music in the middle to late 60's. Dave Swarbrick first came to prominence on the folk scene as a young instrumental virtuoso in the Ian Campbell Folk Group. Having worked alongside other leading musicians such as Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, Beryl and Roger Marriott and A. L. Lloyd, he teamed up with Martin Carthy in 1966. While they featured hot instrumental tracks in their live sets and recordings, Dave's forte in the duo was sensitive accompaniment to Martin's vocals and guitar. On Rags, Reels & Airs the focus was solely on Dave and it finally gave him a chance to really stretch out and demonstrate his leading instrumental prowess. The result was a new era of English instrumental folk music and a new approach to folk music altogether. When they parted in 1969 Dave joined Fairport Convention and his contribution to folk and folk/rock music is legendary and well documented.

For further information please email

jerry@chesilpromotions.co.uk

Links:

Dave Swarbrick

Martin Carthy