Norma Waterson

Norma Waterson

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Nothing in Waterson's long career could prepare the listener for this album. It's a masterpiece of folk rock, featuring the passionate geometry of Richard Thompson's and Martin Carthy's guitars, and the imaginative production of John Chelew. Like Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan, Chelew walks the line between ambient richness and bluesy edges, but it's the song selection and Norma's delivery that stuns. The Grateful Dead song "Black Muddy River" becomes a gorgeous hymn, the Billy Bragg penned "St. Swithin's Day" a folk pop gem, and the spiritual "Fountain of Christ's Blood" a beautiful mystery. Brilliant from beginning to end. --Roy Frances Kasten

Tracks:

Bonnie Woodhall - Niamh Parsons
Crimson Moon - Bert Jansch
Harry Stone (Hearts Of Coal) - John Tams
Flower Of Sweet Brisbane - Norma Waterson
Lough Mountain - Michael McGoldrick
The Water Is Wide - E2K
Botany Bay - Bill Jones
The Cobblers Daughter - Kate Rusby
Ol' Georgie Buck - Taj Mahal/Toumani Diabate
Green Booms/The Humours Of Kill Clougher - Danu
Raggle Taggle Gipsies - Waterson:Carthy
Brigg Fair - Roy Bailey
The Light In My Mother's Eye - Chris While/Julie Matthews
City Of Angels - Vin Garbutt
Shetland Reels - Catriona MacDonald
Spencer The Rover - The Copper Family

Album Description

UK release features 16 tracks from all the contenders for the 2001 awards. Artists include, John Tams, Bill Jones, Norma Waterson, Kate Rusby, Waterson Carthy, Roy Bailey, Michael McGoldrick, Taj Mahal, Niamh Parsons, Vin Garbutt, Catriona MacDonald, Chris While and Julie Matthews, The Copper Family, e2K and Bert Jansch. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.

Album Details

Includes Tracks from John Tams, Bill Jones, Norma Waterson, Kate Rusby, Waterson:carthy, Roy Bailey, Michael Mcgoldrick, Taj Mahal, Niamh Parsons, Vin Garbutt, Catriona Macdonald, Chris While, Jule Matthews, the Cooper Family, E2k, Bert Jansch & Toumani Diabate.

Average customer rating:

Simply Wonderful
The very thought of you
A stunning record
songs of experience

Norma Waterson
Norma Waterson
Manufacturer: Hannibal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Collection
Sweet Warrior
RT: The Life and Music of Richard Thompson
My Name Is Buddy
Live at Massey Hall (CD/DVD)

ASIN: B00000062Y
Release Date: 1996-06-11

Tracks:

Black Muddy Water
St. Swithin's Day
God Loves A Drunk
The Birds Will Still Be Singing
There Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth...,
Rags And Old Iron
Pleasure And Pain
Hard Times Heart
There Is A Fountain In Christ's Blood
Anna Dixie
Outside The Wall

Amazon.com

Nothing in Waterson's long career could prepare the listener for this album. It's a masterpiece of folk rock, featuring the passionate geometry of Richard Thompson's and Martin Carthy's guitars, and the imaginative production of John Chelew. Like Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan, Chelew walks the line between ambient richness and bluesy edges, but it's the song selection and Norma's delivery that stuns. The Grateful Dead song "Black Muddy River" becomes a gorgeous hymn, the Billy Bragg penned "St. Swithin's Day" a folk pop gem, and the spiritual "Fountain of Christ's Blood" a beautiful mystery. Brilliant from beginning to end. --Roy Frances Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Simply Wonderful.......2007-04-28

Top of their game performances from everyone involved.Everyone sounds so inspired,Norma's voice is incredibly rich and evocative,Richard Thompson is stunning,Eliza Carthy's fiddle work especially at the end of "Outside the Wall" will make you weep.Martin Carthy,Danny Thompson,Roger Swallow round out this veritable supergroup.This should reach a much larger audience,don't download it buy it as it's a fully realized album that works as a whole from start to finish.

The very thought of you.......2000-03-24

There is little to add to the ecstatic reviews already listed about Norma's first CD. It is only surpassed by the latest CD in the UK "The very thought of you" - more confidence - same main players. Songs from Queen through Richard Thompson to a heart stopping version of Nick Drake's River Man. The blend on paper again is startling but sounds so right. I suggest all american readers rush to the amazon.co.uk site!

A stunning record.......1999-06-19

This is the art of singing at its best. From the Dead to obscure 40's songs to Richard Thompson to a Methodist hymn - what a range! Each one a nugget of a different kind. And all this from the grande dame of pure finger-in-yer-ear english folk! That's musical daring for you! If they gave a prize for successful audacity, Norma would win hands down. I bought this when it first came out and was stunned by it. Can't wait for her new one to be available here (already out in the UK).

songs of experience.......1999-02-21

i bought this last night and i'm on the fourth listen! impeccable crafting of songs and a voice as smoking and experienced in tone as the later day voices of bobby Dylan and joni Mitchell and nina Simone and Billy Holliday and marianne faithful. a fully felt and unpretentious music with excellent punch and clarity. BUY IT!!!

Average customer rating:

For Those British Folk at Heart!

True Hearted Girl
Lal Waterson , and Norma Waterson
Manufacturer: Topic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00001NFGF
Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

Young Billy Brown
Betsy Belle
Beggar Man
Welcome Sailor
Meeting Is a Pleasure
I Wish I Had Never
Wealthy Squire
Pretty Drummer Boy
John Ball
Jenny Storm
Bonny Light Horseman
Unfortunate Lass
Flowers of the Forest
Grace Darling

Customer Reviews:

For Those British Folk at Heart!.......2006-10-14

The music of two sisters, Lal and Norma Waterson, on this compact disc is a great collection of their folk music from another age. Norma still has not lost her touch with the down home country style music here. These sisters are known in Britain for their contributions to folk music there. Sadly, Lal is no longer with us but Norma is. This music is the kind that reminds you of American folk. There is not much difference in the sound. You swear that they could have played the heart of America as they play the heart of England in Yorkshire country. I will give it a four because they deserve it for the music here. It's not for everybody neither but I enjoy listening to the Waterson sisters as I do anybody else. They sing with heart and soul and music.

Average customer rating:

The White Aretha

The Definitive Collection
Norma Waterson
Manufacturer: Highpoint UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CSUM1C
Release Date: 2006-04-10

Tracks:

With Kitty I'll Go
Once In A Blue Moon
Polly's Love
Sheep Crook And Black Dog
Fare Thee Well Cold Winter
Song For Thirza
Hard Times Heart
Grace Darling
Fallen Leaves
Black Muddy River
Bright Shiny Morning
Flowers Of Knaresborough Forest
The Outlandish Knight
Meeting Is A Pleasure
Ain't No Sweet Man Worth The Salt Of My Tears

Customer Reviews:

The White Aretha.......2007-03-12

With her astringent, slightly frayed voice, Norma Waterson is one of the best singers of our age, in any area of music. If you're an artist and truthful, all things are possible.I prefer some of the songs omitted from this collection, but this CD will get you started on a really worthwhile emotional voyage.

Average customer rating:

She's not called The Godmother of British Folk for nothing!
the Waterson gift
Another one-off masterpiece

Bright Shiny Morning
Norma Waterson
Manufacturer: Topic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000052053
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Tracks:

The Chaps Of Cockaigny
Three Maids A-Milking
One April Morning
Sheep Crook & Black Dog
Game Of All Fours
Banks Of The Dee
Bright Shiny Morning
Barbary Allen
Flower Of Sweet Strabane
Green Grows The Laurel
Go & Leave Me
My Flower, My Companion & Me

Customer Reviews:

She's not called The Godmother of British Folk for nothing!.......2006-10-14

Just like her husband, Martin Carthy MBE, Norma Waterson was also awarded an MBE for her services to folk music. Both live in the Yorkshire section of England otherwise known as the heart of England. When you first listen to Norma's voice, you are listening to not only an excellent singer but storyteller. You can feel the music as you listen to her telling the stories for each song. Of course, British folk music may not be for everyone. Her Bright Shiny Morning sparkles and this compact disc has been played so much in my car disc player that it got scratched by all the usage. I love singing along with her. She has an impeccable voice. Her range is shown in this first, her first compact disc of music.

the Waterson gift.......2001-03-10

Maybe it's almost redundant to praise Norma Waterson, the mention of whose name alone ought to be enough to assure the prospective listener of the highest quality in performance, production, and song selection. Here Waterson is in her usual top form, interpreting a dozen songs from the British folk tradition, with her usual power and grace. Her abundantly talented daughter Eliza Carthy co-produces (with Ben Ivitsky), surrounding her mother's voice in arrangements that are both dazzlingly creative and affectingly spare. What's not to love? Among the many pleasures to be had here, one can hear the echoes of songs that crossed the ocean and became American folk standards. The lovely title song is what "Streets of Laredo" sounded like before it found its way to West Texas. "Go and Leave Me" evolved into the beloved Carter Family anthem "Foggy Mountain Top." Any Norma Waterson recording is a gift to ear, heart, and soul, and this one is, no surprise, no exception.

Another one-off masterpiece.......2001-01-31

Norma Waterson has done it again! From the opening track, the haunting "The Chaps of Cockaigny" with masterful, laid-back accompanyment from husband Martin Carthy and others, to the final track, a jolly sing-along number "My Flower, My Companion & Me", this CD defies to be faulted. This CD is more folky than her previous offerings, all 12 tracks being traditional songs. Her distinctive voice, like no other in folk music, suits the material perfectly, conveying sadness or happiness when required. The backing musicians are sympathetic to the arrangements and are never obtrusive, leaving her voice firmly centre-stage,

A must-have for lovers of traditional music.

Music Review: