Martin Carthy's new album, his first solo effort in 10 years, highlights his eclectic approach to music. It contains versions of traditional numbers like "The Wife of Ushers Well," and "The Deserter," Carthy's takes on the Bee Gees' "New York Disaster, 1941," a new version of "Prince Heathen," Bob Dylan's "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," and even "Heartbreak Hotel." Yet with this range of sources, Signs of Life is a coherent whole, and integrated picture of the advanced range of Cathy's talent of interpretation. He is ably assisted by daughter Eliza on fiddle on several tracks.