Born: August 15, 1939, Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding,
Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s
Genres: Folk
Instrument: Vocals
Representative Albums: "Norma Waterson", "The Definitive Collection", "The Very Thought of You
Representative Songs: "Black Muddy River", "Pleasure and Pain", "The Birds Will Still Be Singing
Biography
Since the mid-'60s, Norma Waterson, along with brother Mike, sister Lal and others, have performed together as the Watersons to make some of the most beautiful records in British traditional music. While performing one evening with her family at McCabe's in Santa Monica, California, club booker and producer John Chelew inquired if Waterson had ever considered recording a solo album. The subsequent record, entitled Norma Waterson, was recorded in Los Angeles in late 1995 with the help of friends and family. The recording, which was produced by Chelew, featured a veritable who's-who of the British folk world, with husband Martin Carthy (Steeleye Span, the Watersons) and Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention) on guitars, Danny Thompson (Pentangle) on double bass, Roger Swallow (Albion Country Band) on drums, and daughter Eliza Carthy (the Watersons) on vocals and violin. The final product, which was recorded in a mere five days, was released by Hannibal Records in 1996. Bright Shiny Morning followed five years later. ~ Brett Hartenbach, All Music Guide
In 1999 the follow up The Very Thought of You was released by Hannibal Records and once again features Richard Thompson, Danny Thompson, Eliza Carthy and husband Martin Carthy.
In 2001 Norma released her first solo traditional folk abum, Bright Shiny Morning, on Topic Records.