NOT surprisingly there was not an empty seat in the house at the start of the performance by these doyens, dare one use the overworked description ‘legends,’ of the folk world. 

What was surprising were the several empty seats after the interval. Carthy and Swarbrick deliver what you expect – excellent musicianship, traditional, but not too esoteric, folk material and plenty of mischievous humour.

Both have been in the business since the 1960s and their enthusiasm is undimmed. Carthy’s voice and delivery are as strong as ever and Swarbrick’s deceptively relaxed mastery of his fiddle is awe-inspiring.

The one disappointment was in audibility of the spoken words, and I wonder if this could be the reason some people decided not to return for the second half.

It was frustrating to miss punchlines of stories and the background to and titles of songs. Both men offered interesting introductions to their music –hugely entertaining, when you could hear it. Apparently the sound system in the auditorium has recently been upgraded. Really?

I have had no problem hearing Martin Carthy in the past, although Dave Swarbrick’s lighter voice and much faster delivery can be a problem.

An unexpected pleasure was the Bradford Roots FreeStage pre-show performance in the centre’s bar by Jess Vincent, a talented young singer-songwriter from Bradford on Avon.