He’s a busy lad, Sam Carter. Mind you he’s also very good at what he does. What he does is varied. Like lots of artists there is a clear dichotomy to what he undetakes. Creative writer and composer of albums worth of his own smartly observed material often electric, yet tugging at him are the influences of roots British and American which he finds hard to ignore. Riding above this is his skill as a player, he’s a master of a clean, clear guitar style matched by an adaptable vocal. Add in that he’s a serial collaborator from working with Asian musicians, forming modernist folk rockers False Lights with Jim Moray and now falling in with Magpie Arc for further adventures concerning fusion. You have to say all round, he’s a man you don’t meet every day.
Here however he’s unplugged thrown his composition note book to one side and dived into his love of folk material for a splendid EP. Six tracks which prove his flexibility and show his chops both vocal and instrumental to fine effect. Take the ‘bonus’ item here which canters through a couple of dance tunes, strummed and picked in ringing tones – maybe just a hint of a certain Mr. Carthy in there – but hey, you could trip the light fantastic to them as easily as any fiddle or box playing, so smooth is their interpretation. Equally fleet is the ironically titled ‘The Light Guitar,’ a piece of roosty fantasy romance, whilst ‘Tubal Cain,’ best of the US based material deals in more disturbing matters when a smith dreams his works are being used to kill thus prompting a quick change of direction into making agricultural tools rather than weapons. Hurrah!
Top of the list though comes the title track, Steeleye performed the song as ‘The Bold Poachers,’ with a personal link as he’s originally from Oakham, Carter strips it right back to deliver a chilling song with wrong on both sides as game keepers and poachers suffer, the individual from the title being the last person to swing from the gallows in Oakham. The power in the lyric is laid before you and it’s hard to ignore the message.
Can we have an album full please Mr. Carter? That is if you get the time. Meanwhile reader grab this as it proves the old addage that sometimes the best things come in small packages. He’s touring it too, check the link below for product and shows. Great stuff.
Simon Jones.
samcartermusic.co.uk
