Martin Carthy MBE is a true legend of British folk – a trailblazer whose influence stretches far and wide, from the 1960s folk revival right up to modern collaborations with the likes of Paul Weller. His unique guitar style and deep love for traditional songs have inspired generations, including big names like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg… and yes, Weller himself.
Over his six-decade career, he has collaborated with icons like Dave Swarbrick, Steeleye Span, and The Watersons. Honoured with an MBE and multiple BBC Folk Awards, he continues to perform and inspire new generations, ensuring the rich traditions of British folk music endure.
For our Paul Weller connections, we talk about the genre-melding Imagined Village, where they teamed up for the song ‘John Barleycorn’ back in 2007 – and Martin played on Paul’s album True Meanings for the song, ‘Come Along.’
In a lovely, full-circle moment, we also chat about the original recording of ‘Never the Same’ by Lal Waterson, which Martin played on back in 1972. This magical song has been reimagined by Paul Weller for his upcoming covers album Find El Dorado.
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Martin Carthy MBE – Folk Music Icon – Paul Weller Fan Podcast
2025 – Martin Carthy – Transform Me Then Into a Fish (New Album)
In celebration of his incredible career, Martin Carthy released a brand-new album, Transform Me Then Into A Fish on May 21st 2025, marking both his 84th birthday and a full-circle moment in his musical journey. This special release revisits his iconic 1965 debut album, featuring newly recorded arrangements of its classic tracks, reimagined with the wisdom and experience of six decades in folk music. Fresh interpretations of beloved songs like ‘Scarborough Fair’ and ‘High Germany’, infused with his ever-evolving artistry while staying true to the deep tradition he has championed throughout his life. This album not only honours his roots but also reaffirms his enduring influence on the folk genre, offering both long-time listeners and new audiences a chance to rediscover the timeless magic of his music.
Find out more and order your copy of the album here.
2025 – Paul Weller – ‘Never the Same’ from Find El Dorado
Paul Weller has recorded a stunning new version of ‘Never the Same’ for his upcoming album Find El Dorado. The song, originally written by Lal Waterson and featured on the 1972 cult folk album Bright Phoebus, is one of the most haunting and emotionally raw pieces in the British folk canon. Sparse and poetic, it captures a world changed forever by sorrow, where childhood has been halted and the seasons offer no reprieve.
Paul’s choice to revisit this track highlights his deep respect for the original – an album that was largely overlooked on release but has since been championed by artists including Billy Bragg, Jarvis Cocker, and Richard Hawley. The original version features playing by Martin Carthy along with Richard Thompson. In my exclusive interview, Martin reflects on that original recording session.
With Find El Dorado, Paul brings new resonance to a song whose closing line – “we’ll never be the same again” – feels as urgent and timeless now as it did over 50 years ago.
The song is a devastatingly beautiful and quietly apocalyptic song with lyrics that evoke a post-war or post-trauma landscape where innocence has been lost and nature itself feels complicit in the decline. At its core, the song revolves around two figures – Johnny and Rosemary – whose fate seems bound to a world slipping irreversibly into sorrow and disorder. Johnny can’t play / Rosemary sitting in a shower of rain sets the tone: the joyful rhythms of childhood are halted, and neglect or illness looms large.
Lal’s lyricism here is elusive yet piercing, blending pastoral imagery with unsettling decay. References to jenny wrens silenced by wind, and a preacher pronouncing “God’s will be done,” suggest death or a wider spiritual malaise. There’s a profound sense of helplessness: no one goes to help Rosemary, and Johnny is immobilised. The repeated line, “We’ll never be the same again,” functions as both elegy and warning – a recognition that something vital has been irretrievably lost. The starkness of the song, its elliptical narrative, and the mixture of folk motifs with contemporary despair all contribute to its lasting emotional impact. It’s no surprise Paul Weller was drawn to it; it would seem to be that the song’s minimalist poetry and moral weight resonate deeply with his own sensibilities.
2007 – The Imagined Village – Paul Weller, Martin and Eliza Carthy
Back in 2007, Paul Weller lent his unmistakable voice to a powerful reimagining of ‘John Barleycorn’ for the debut album by The Imagined Village – a groundbreaking project that brought together some of the UK’s most respected folk and world music artists. The track featured Martin Carthy and his daughter Eliza Carthy, two giants of the folk tradition, and marked a striking meeting point between past and present. Paul Weller’s involvement wasn’t just a guest spot – it was a genuine collaboration rooted in a shared love of storytelling, heritage, and pushing musical boundaries.
2018 – True Meanings Album – ‘Come Along’ – with Martin Carthy!
On ‘Come Along’, a standout track from Paul Weller’s 2018 album True Meanings, Martin Carthy lends his unmistakable guitar playing and subtle backing vocals – bringing a rich, earthy texture to the song’s acoustic soul. For Paul Weller, it wasn’t just a collaboration, but a dream realised. Speaking to Record Collector at the time, he said: “It was a chance for me to work with some of my heroes, to be honest. The more I investigated folk, the more I wanted to work with some of its most respected names. Once Danny and Martin were on board, I started writing songs specifically for them to play on. I’ve known Eliza Carthy for ages, but I was a bit of a latecomer to her dad’s catalogue, and it’s been fun going back and discovering his old stuff; it’s like a never-ending story.”
That spirit of discovery – and deep respect – comes through in the track, where Weller’s songwriting meets Martin’s decades of folk tradition head-on.