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. Trailblazing musical partnerships with, amongst others, Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick and his award-winning wife (Norma Waterson) and daughter Eliza Carthy have resulted in more than 40 albums, but Martin has only recorded 10 solo albums, of which the much anticipated Waiting for Angels (Topic TSCD527) is the latest. Whether in the folk clubs (which he continues to champion), on the concert stage or making TV appearances (he was the subject of the acclaimed `Originals' music documentary strand on BBC 2) - there are few roles that Martin Carthy hasn't played. He's a ballad singer, a ground-breaking acoustic & 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.

“For four decades, Martin Carthy's work has immeasurably enriched the British folk heritage. He is regarded as one of the finest singers and interpreters of traditional music of the British Isles, as well as a highly influential and much-imitated guitarist. Awarded the MBE for services to English folk music in 1998, his drive and enthusiasm are undiminished and he continues to be one of folk music's great innovators.”

Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy have been leading figures in the folk revival since the early 1960s. Carthy's remarkable and influential career has been celebrated with an MBE and various BBC Radio 2 music awards including Folk singer of the Year 2005. He is one of the most admired and best loved figures in the movement and was the subject of a BBC documentary. Norma, also awarded an MBE for services to English Music and fellow recipient of BBC Radio 2 Awards, is one of the country's finest, most emotive singers with her wonderfully compassionate voice.

The seven piece group Blue Murder, made up of Waterson:Carthy, Coope, Boyes and Simpson and Mike Waterson, has been described as "Harmony Heaven" and it's easy to see why - seven of the greatest English folk voices performing together with passion and spirit. The repertoire ranges between great traditional standards, selected compositions and original songs by some of the band members...more about Blue Murder

"…singing and harmonising…top of the range…selection of songs…spot on, but more than that, there is a startling chemistry about them. There is a real mood of spontaneity and the idea of a group united by..a mutual love of the songs they are performing. Stand-out tracks include the rousing Bully in the Alley, the sentimental Land Where you Never Grow Old, and the devotional Standing on the Promises of God. Choruses made in heaven all. It is an album of qualities and values. Timeless." fRoots

The current line-up in Blue Murder consists of some of Britain's truly great traditional performers: Norma and her brother Mike Waterson, Martin and daughter Eliza Carthy, Barry Coope, Jim Boyes & Lester Simpson but the origins of this band go back nearly twenty years. Dave and Heather Brady and Jim Boyes of Swan Arcade were taking in the late afternoon sun on the glamorous front patio of The Magnolia Guest House during Whitby Folk Week in Yorkshire in August 1986 when Norma and Lal Waterson arrived at the gate with a request they couldn't refuse. There was, Norma explained, a charity concert near Robin Hood's Bay for the benefit of the local school. Amongst those asked to perform were various members of the legendary British folk family, The Watersons, Swan Arcade and Peter and Anthea Bellamy. Lal and Norma suggested that it might be a good idea to rehearse a couple of songs all together - it might be fun. It was great fun (in fact early Blue Murder rehearsals were some of the best parties that the participants can vaguely remember.)

Following this informal get together, the ensemble - introduced as The Boggle Hole Chorale - were asked to do a surprise spot at the festival's final ceilidh.News of this event spread further south and the following year Ian Anderson of Folk Roots Magazine invited The Watersons and Swan Arcade to appear at Bracknell Festival. After a particularly lengthy and enjoyable rehearsal, Martin Carthy came up with a new name - Blue Murder. The line up at this stage was: Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, Lal Waterson, Rachel and Mike Waterson, Heather Brady, Dave Brady and Jim Boyes. Blue Murder appeared in concert at The Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank in London and at festivals from the Scottish Borders to Trowbridge in Wiltshire, as well as making a continental foray to the Brossella Festival in Brussels.

A very live demo was put together from their Wath concert performance and some tracks direct from sound desks lurk in Festival organisers' archives, but the original band never made any formal recordings. Blue Murder still only existed as a live performance band - and an occasional one at that. In 1994, by special request of David Suff, Blue Murder performed 'I Bid You Goodnight' for Hokey Pokey's Joseph Spence album `Out On the Rolling Sea'. By this time, the membership had undergone quite an alteration. Swan Arcade had split up, and Heather Brady was unavailable on the day of recording. Barry Coope and Lester Simpson of Coope, Boyes & Simpson replaced two of the Swans and changes in The Watersons saw the young Eliza Carthy taking over from Rachel Waterson.No other work was planned - and following Lal Waterson's sad and untimely death - no further performances seemed likely. Then a phone call, out of the blue, from the Beverley Festival brought the remaining band members together briefly for a Yorkshire Evening in 2000. So when an invitation to the following year's Sidmouth Festival arrived, they were delighted. Rehearsals and an afternoon concert to a packed Sidmouth Arena proved once again that Blue Murder was about the sheer enjoyment of singing together in harmony.