TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Over here in the USA entering that time of year again when I get a bit homesick for the U.K.  Usually I buy folk albums in the Autumn, and eventually that sorts me out ;-)

I don't own any of Dave Swarbricks albums at all..so which of his albums, either solo, or together with Martin Carthy are the best?

Thanks

Rich

If you like an album with minimum backing, just one or two guitars, try his first solo one Rags, Reels and Airs.

Smiddyburn

They are all a bit different. If you just want to hear the basics, definitely Rags Reels & Airs. If you want a more folk rock vein, Smiddyburn/Flittin'. If you want something in between, Swarbrick 1 and 2. If you want more ceilidh sound, then Lift The Lid And Listen, and of course, The Ceilidh Album. If you want a group context (other than Fairport), Whippersnapper if those are still available. Of the ones with Martin Carthy I am partial to Both Ears & The Tail as a good representative of the early years. Skin & Bone is an excellent one. Maybe because I picked that up before any of the 60's ones like Byker Hill, etc I am more partial to it. I also would recommend any of the ones with Simon Nicol.

I just realized I just typed out about 3/4 of his solo discography there! Truth is I couldn't pick just one, I enjoy them all so much which proves what a star Swarb is.

The twofer of Smiddyburn and Flittin'.

Or the Free Reed box set Swarb!

Jules

If you like your folk rock electric and exciting, go for Smiddyburn. More than half the album is the Full House FC line-up in full flight. Then get more of the same on Flittin'.

Agree that if you like your Swarb with Fairport you'll prefer Smiddyburn/Flittin' over the balance of his non-Fairport catalog.  In other words, it's the most Fairport-like.  It may still be available as two albums on one CD, so there's the value factor as well.

I like Traditional Folk and the Rockier variety, so I'll probably like most of the albums. Not the biggest fan of Ceilidh style though since I was forced to go to them as a kid.

Right now I'm leaning towards the more traditional and less rocky side of the house.   

I have a recording tucked away somewhere of 'Polly on the Shore' by Martin Carthy, I'm thinking the source is probably the 'Prince Heathen' album he did with Dave, so I'll probably have to pick that up.

The CD set with Dave Swarbrick 1/Swarbrick 2/Smiddyburn  that just came out does seem good value.

Rich

Definitely Skin & Bone for a taste of Swarb & Carthy. English Fiddler for an album of Swarb compostions.

English Fiddler is a good call.  Actually probably the album of his I listen to most regularly

Raison d'être

If it's any help, when I was buying at Cropredy once, I asked Swarb what he recommended and he said the Smiddyburn/Flittin' set! As ever, the Free Reed set is very good.

Flittin' and Smiddybirn by a looong mile

Can anyone guide us on the Whippersnapper albums please - Promises, Tsubo, Fortune & Stories. I have heard the first one and would give it a middling rating. Rate Your Music seems to suggest that Tsubo is the best. I know nothing about Fortune, whilst I believe that Stories was without Swarb.

Tsubo is the only one I have,and I liked it a lot,but obviously I can't give you a comparison to the others.I haven't played it in donkeys because it's a vinyl copy,and it's rare I dig my way through all those boxes.Worth a punt,I guess,if RTM suggest it's the best.

For some reason I like Promises better than Tsubo, but my most favorite was These Foolish Strings, live recordings from all over. I still have (and play) on occasion my cassette copy.