Eliza takes centre stage

Sep 5 2008 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE Fiddle Tree’s September concert will feature one of the top names on the current UK music scene when Eliza Carthy and her band take the stage at The Baronial Hall of the Birnam House Hotel on Thursday, September 25, at 8pm.

The date is part of a UK tour to promote Eliza’s latest album, “Dreams of Breathing Underwater,” which has received critical and popular acclaim since its release earlier in the summer.

Describing herself as a “modern British musician,” Eliza Carthy is only just beginning to reach the height of her musical powers.

During a 15-year career she has become one of the most dazzling and recognised folk musicians of a generation. She has revitalised and made folk music relevant to new audiences and has captured the most hardened of dissenters with intelligent, charismatic and boundary-crossing performances.

Twice-nominated for a prestigious Nationwide Mercury Prize, Eliza is also the winner of more than five BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2003 she became the first traditional English musician to be nominated a BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music.

From an early age Eliza was championed by John Peel and Billy Bragg. She’s featured on Billy’s Grammy-winning album with Wilco, “Mermaid Avenue.” In 2006, she appeared on “Rogues Gallery,” an album created by Hal Wilner and Johnny Depp, also featuring Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry and Richard Thompson.

Touring on and off since the age of 14, Eliza has performed and recorded with a startling array of musical heroes from around the globe including Joan Baez, Damon Albarn and Paul Weller. She’s appeared at a huge number of live events, benefits and multi-artist concerts including, “Daughters of Albion” and Patti Smith’s Meltdown. In October 2007, she took part in the BBC Electric Proms concert celebrating the songs of her aunt, “A Tribute to Lal Waterson.”

Yorkshire-born and, until recently, Edinburgh-based, Eliza Carthy grew up immersed in the world of traditional music. She divides her time between touring and recording with her legendary parents Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson and numerous pioneering solo and band projects.

Tickets for the Birnam concert are £12 in advance, or £15 on the door. Under-18s’ tickets are £3 or two for £5. They are on sale at the usual local outlets: Birnam House Hotel 01350 727462, Zigzags, Dunkeld 01350 728666 and Birnam CD 01350 727158.

Credit card bookings can be made online at www.thebooth.co.uk