The Wassail with Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden
Wassailing: an ancient tradition of going from house to house to sing seasonal songs in exchange for money and Christmas treats; a practice that evolved into modern-day caroling at Christmas time. It’s entomology comes from the Old Norse “ves heil”, meaning “be in good health”, and what a fitting meaning for what was an uplifting, beautiful and almost spiritual evening at Epic Studios as two superstars of folk joined forces to get Norwich into the yuletide spirit.
This is the second Wassail tour in two years for Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden. The first, in 2023, was to support the release of the album “Glad Christmas Comes”. That tour went so well that demand for a second had been high, and tonight they brought their brilliant musicianship and incredible renditions to a very appreciative Norwich audience.
With no support act, the venue was nicely packed as I arrived a little before the start. The stage was set beautifully and decorated with Christmas trees complete with lights.
The evening promised to “take audiences back to some of the oldest songs in the English canon, telling Christmas tales, spreading good cheer and lighting up the darkest days of the year”, and as the pair took to the stage for the first half of the show they did just that.
Those in the audience who were familiar with the album were treated to stripped down arrangements, as songs on “Glad Christmas Comes” feature other musicians and backing singers, but the pair play so many instruments between them that the live renditions of the songs each take on a character of their own.
Opener “Ashen Bowl” saw Boden on concertina and leading the vocals while Carthy added violin and harmony. This gave way to the first of the more recognisable carols as both switched to fiddle for “The Holly and The Ivy”. “Star of Bethlehem” was preceded by Carthy recounting a story about her mother (the folk singer Norma Waterson) who died in 2022. Waterson had suggested that the song - popularised by the Stanley Brothers - be included on the album shortly before she passed away. It was a beautiful moment, and a beautiful tune. We went back to the 1600’s for “Remember Thou O Man” before a rousing “song about road safely” as “Jingle Bells” was given the Boden / Carthy treatment. Original song “King of the Birds” and “Winter Grace” finished the first half.
The second half of the evening continued in the same vein with originals like “The Good Doctor” (written by Boden), traditional tunes like “Mount Zion” and familiar Christmas favourites “In the Bleak Midwinter” (with the most beautiful vocal by Carthy) and “Three Ships a-Sailing” sat alongside light relief in the form of “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas”, which was all concertinas and lots of fun!
“Glad Christmas Comes”, the title track from the album, finished the main set before they were encouraged back on stage for a rendition of the greatest Christmas song not to get to number 1 - the Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York”.
