Eliza Carthy is the crown princess of English folk music. Her mother Norma Waterson, has been singing traditional music her whole life, and her father Martin Carthy is a seminal guitarist/singer whose arrangement of "Scarborough Fair" gave Paul Simon his first hit. Eliza has been winning fiddle contests for most of her 24 years; she has performed with her parents in Waterson-Carthy with 3 albums to their credit, and with her own band (The Kings of Calicutt) to great acclaim in England. Finally, after a handful of independent releases in the UK, Warner Brothers US is preparing to launch Eliza's major label debut in January 2001!
Angels & Cigarettes is a logical next step from her award-winning double album Red Rice (Topic Records, 2000). The sound is folk-based but heavily influenced by contemporary sounds. Hip-hop rhythms on electronic drums form the basis on which Eliza hangs her tales of modern life and romance. The songs are powerful and at times deeply moving, with hints of autobiography as she talks about her asthma in "Breath"; about feminine beauty in "Beautiful Girl" and about giving "blow jobs on couches to men who didn't want [her] any more" in "The Company of Men." It's a bit of a shock to hear it put that way, in Eliza's sweet voice -- but why should it be? The lyric is true and honest like the music that surrounds it. "Whispers of Summer" sounds like a hit single and is a perfect opening track to introduce all Eliza's gifts.
Eliza's fiddle is not featured as much as one might hope, although it is there in the mix, as a constant reminder of her skill. Martin Carthy's guitar is also featured. Production by Al Scott is crystal clear, and the punchy and the string arrangements by Van Dyke Parks are interesting but not distracting, very sympathetic! This is Eliza's album; her song writing (plus a great cover of Paul Weller's "Wild Wood") is strong and catchy, her singing warm and captivating. She is a riveting performer. I saw her last spring with Waterson-Carthy and was thrilled! She'll be touring this spring to promote Angels & Cigarettes.
It is a glorious introduction to a major talent. Watch for it coming soon, and be on the lookout for her tour. She is extraordinary!
