Carthy, Nicol, Dempsey, Hulett…a quartet of duos which spans Swarb’s career. They began with a missing work permit and continue today in memorable gigs throughout the country. Here are classic performances and rare recordings of each of those duos – and many more besides – session work, less high-profile partnerships, overlooked live gigs. A chronological overview of Swarb’s performing partnerships.
1. Jack Orion: Bert Lloyd, First Person, Topic 12T 118, (1966) 4.02
2. Finale Medley: (Bottom o’ the Punchbowl/Swallowtail/The Mason’s Apron): with Martin Carthy, at The Troubadour, London, (1966). Swarbrick Archive 9.31
3. Our Captain cried all hands: with Martin Carthy, Byker Hill, Topic TSCD 342, (1967) 2.07
4. Streets of Forbes: with Trevor Lucas, The Great Australian Legend, Topic 12TS 203, (1971) 3.46
5. The Heilanman/Drowsy Maggie: with Beryl Marriott, Swarbrick, Transatlantic LP TRA 337, now on Sanctuary CD ESM CD 355, (1976) 2.48
6. The Lark in the clear air: with Savourna Stevenson, at Kirkcaldy Folk Club, Swarbrick Archive 5.18
7. Around Cape Horn: with Peter Bellamy, Both Sides Then, Topic 12 TS 400, (1979), (reissued on Fledg’ling CD FLE 1002) 2.34
8. 79th's farewell to Gibraltar/The Atholl Highlanders/The Devil Among The Tailors: with Simon Nicol, Live at the White Bear, Woodworm WRCD 028, (1982) 4.57
9. Pittengardner's/Floggin' Reel, with Simon Nicol, Folk City, New York, (1984). Ed Haber Archive 4.43
10. White Dress, with Ralph McTell, Ralph McTell Show, BBC, (1992) 3.17
11. The Pepperpot/Sailing into Walpole's Marsh/Bunker Hill, with Martin Carthy, Carson's Cincinnati, (1990) Swarbrick Archive 5.44
12. Mrs Bermingham/No. 178/Blind Mary, with Martin Carthy, Cropredy Festival, (1992). Swarbrick Archive 7.38
13. Days of 49, with Alistair Hulett, The Basement, (1996). Swarbrick Archive 3.22
14. Nathaniel Gow's Lament/Rory of the Hills, with Lars Kjaedegard, Brunskepakhus, Denmark, (1996). Swarbrick Archive 9.02
15. I Know my Love, with Kevin Dempsey, Fairport Tour, (2000). Swarbrick Archive 4.23
16. Byker Hill, with Martin Carthy, Carthy 60th Birthday Concert, Oxford, (2001) BBC/Smooth Operations 5.30
17. Banksie, with Kevin Dempsey, Haworth Folk Club, (2003). Swarbrick Archive 1.14
