John Martyn | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Singer/songwriter/guitarist John Martyn was born Iain David McGeachy on September 11, 1948, in New Malden, Surrey, and raised in Glasgow by his grandmother. He began his innovative and expansive career at the age of 17 with a style influenced by American blues artists such as Robert Johnson and Skip James, the traditional music of his homeland, and the eclectic folk of Davey Graham (Graham remained an influence and idol of Martyns throughout his career). With the aid of his mentor, traditional singer Hamish Imlach, Martyn began to make a name for himself and eventually moved to London, where he became a fixture at Cousins, the center for the local folk scene that spawned the likes of Bert Jansch, Ralph McTell, and Al Stewart. Soon after, he caught the attention of Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who made him the first white solo act to join the roster of his reggae-based label. The subsequent album, London Conversation (February 1968), only hinted at what was to come in Martyns career. Although it contained touches of blues along with Martyns rhythmic playing and distinctive voice, it was for the most part a fairly straightforward British folk record. With his follow-up later that same year, the Al Stewart-produced The Tumbler, Martyn began to slowly test other waters, employing backup musicians such as jazz reedman Harold McNair, to flesh out his sound. His voice also started to take on a jazzier quality as he began to experiment musically. While on the road, Martyn continued to experiment with his sound, adding various effects to his electrified acoustic. One such effect, the Echoplex, allowed him to play off of the tape loops of his own guitar, enveloping himself in his own playing while continuing to play leads over the swelling sound. This would become an integral part of his recordings and stage performances in the coming years. He also met Beverley Kutner, a singer from Coventry who later became his wife and musical partner. The duo released two records in 1970, Stormbringer and The Road to Ruin, the former recorded in Woodstock, N.Y. with American musicians including members of the Band. For one track on their second album, John and Bev hired Pentangle double bassist Danny Thompson, who remained a constant in Johns career throughout the better part of the 70s, on-stage and in the studio. John planned his third solo album when Beverley retired to take care of the couples children, although there was supposedly pressure from Island for him to record on his own. The next couple of years saw Martyn continuing to expand on his unique blend of folk music, drawing on folk, blues, rock, and jazz as well as music from the Middle East, South America, and Jamaica. His voice continued to transform with each album while his playing became more aggressive, yet without losing its gentler side. Bless the Weather (1971) and Solid Air (1973) which helped form the foundation of Martyns fan base, featured some of his most mature and enduring songs: "Solid Air," written for close friend Nick Drake, "May You Never" (recorded by Eric Clapton), and "Head and Heart" (recorded by America). By the time of 1973s Inside Out, Martyns use of the Echoplex had taken on a life of its own while his vocals became more of an instrument: deeper and bluesier, with words slithering into one another, barely decipherable. During this period, Martyns well-publicized bouts with alcoholism came to the forefront and began to affect his career somewhat. He became an erratic and at times self-destructive performer. He might perform an evening of electronic guitar experiments for a crowd of folkies or a set of traditional, acoustic ballads when playing to a rock audience. His shows would also range from the odd night of falling over drunk to sheer brilliance, as captured on the independently released Live at Leeds (1975). Following Sundays Child (1974), the live record, and a 1977 best-of collection, Martyn, for the most part, abandoned his acoustic guitar on record for a sort of rock, world, and jazz fusion. Although his style was moving away from its folk roots, his songs retained the passion and structure of his best early work. Grace and Danger (1980), his first release since 1977s One World, painfully and honestly depicted the crumbling of John and Beverleys marriage in some of his most powerful material in years. It also seemed to garner interest in Martyns sagging career. With this new momentum and the help of friend Phil Collins, Martyn signed to WEA, where he recorded two records, Glorious Fool (1981) and Well Kept Secret (1982). Glorious Fool, a superb effort, produced by Collins and featuring Eric Clapton on guitar and Collins on drums, piano, and vocals, looked to be his best shot at mainstream success, but failed to extend his cult status. Martyn released his second independent live record, the magnificent Philentropy, before returning to Island Records for two studio releases, a live album and a 12" single which featured a version of Bob Dylans "Tight Connection to My Heart." He was dropped by the label in 1988. Continuing to battle his alcoholism, Martyn resumed his career in 1990 with The Apprentice and 1992s Cooltide. He also released an album of his classic songs re-recorded with an all-star cast featuring Phil Collins, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, and Levon Helm of the Band, as well as various compilations and live recordings. After a four-year layoff, Martyn issued And, an album with strong jazz, trip-hop, and funk overtones, followed in 1998 by The Church with One Bell, a collection of diverse covers. In 1999 he also released a live double album which documented a classic concert at Londons Shaw Theatre in 1990 entitled Dirty, Down & Live. Martyn recorded a surprise studio comeback effort called Glasgow Walker at the turn of the century that was very well received, and had his entire Island catalog remastered and reissued -- two of his albums, One World, and Grace and Danger, were given the Universal "deluxe" treatment with bonus discs. In 2003, a cyst burst in Martyns leg due to septicemia brought on by diabetes. The end result was an amputation, but he continued to tour the world with the same tireless energy and restlessness, performing with his band from a wheelchair. Martyn, shrugged it all off, typified by this infamous quote: " "Ive been mugged in New York and luckily I fought my way out of it. Ive been shot a couple of times as well but I just lay down and pretended to be dead." In 2007 two DVDs appeared, a Live at the BBC set recorded in the 1970s, and Voiceprints The Man Upstairs documentary. 2008 saw Martyns name surface once more with some real regularity due to a flurry of activity by the man and his touring schedule, but also because of new releases. His One World label issued a pair of catalogued live dates, the best of these being Simmer Dim , and, in December, Universal/Island released a four-disc retrospective box entitled Aint No Saint. In January, 2009 Martyn was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) -- an irony since he was the most rebellious of Scotsmen. Martyns health, however, was in real decline as a result of a lifetime of substance abuse issues; in the early morning hours of January 29, 2009, he passed away at the age of 60 after a third bout with pneumonia. With his characteristic backslap acoustic guitar playing, his effects-driven experimental journeys, or his catalog of excellent songs, as well as his jazz-inflected singing style, John Martyn will remain an important and influential figure in both British folk and rock. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 47 Title: London Conversation Released: 1967-10 Tracks: 13 Duration: 42:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:52) 2 Sandy Grey (02:25) 3 London Conversation (02:42) 4 Ballad of an Elder Woman (02:42) 5 Cocaine (02:57) 6 Run Honey Run (02:37) 7 Back to Stay (03:28) 8 Rolling Home (05:44) 9 Whos Grown Up Now (04:03) 10 Golden Girl (02:33) 11 This Time (03:08) 12 Dont Think Twice, Its Alright (04:16) 13 She Moved Through the Fair (02:33) |
| London Conversation : Allmusic album Review : In 1967, John Martyn became the first white solo act to sign with Island Records. While this is notable in the history of the label, his initial release, London Conversation, on the other hand, stands as a mere footnote. The record, though incorporating touches of blues and his characteristic guitar and vocal, doesnt really prepare you for whats to come from Martyn. The album is a basic, no-frills, guitar and voice effort, although one track, the droning dulcimer and flute-driven "Rolling Home," shows Martyns urge to stretch, which would become much more evident in the coming years. His vocal delivery is traditionally British, while his playing is steeped in the eclectic folk of British artists such as Davey Graham and Bert Jansch, as well as American blues and folk. London Conversation, whose material (written primarily by Martyn) reflects the era and his age (18 years old), comes across as a young, although soon to be important artist looking for a voice. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 47 Title: The Tumbler Released: 1968-12 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sing a Song of Summer (02:22) 2 The River (02:59) 3 Goin Down to Memphis (03:12) 4 The Gardeners (03:15) 5 A Day at the Sea (02:35) 6 Fishin Blues (02:37) 7 Dusty (03:07) 8 Hello Train (02:36) 9 Winding Boy (02:22) 10 Fly on Home (02:33) 11 Knuckledy Crunch and Slippledee-Slee Song (02:55) 12 Seven Black Roses (04:02) |
| The Tumbler : Allmusic album Review : Following an inauspicious first release for Island, John Martyns unique brand of acoustic music began to take some sort of shape with the Al Stewart-produced The Tumbler. Martyn, whose debut was a solo acoustic offering, here employs a second guitar, bass and, most notably, jazz flautist Harold McNair to create his blend of folk, blues and jazz. While his songs show only marginal development from London Conversation, its his arrangements and, especially, vocals which are the real differences, each becoming increasingly more idiosyncratic. Although nowhere near the caliber of his later recordings, The Tumbler is an important step in Martyns varied career. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 47 Title: Stormbringer! Released: 1970-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Go Out and Get It (03:09) 2 Cant Get the One I Want (02:55) 3 Stormbringer (04:18) 4 Sweet Honesty (08:03) 5 Woodstock (01:44) 6 John the Baptist (03:13) 7 The Ocean (03:41) 8 Traffic-Light Lady (03:19) 9 Tomorrow Time (03:50) 10 Would You Believe Me (05:14) |
 | Album: 4 of 47 Title: The Road to Ruin Released: 1970-11 Tracks: 9 Duration: 37:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Primrose Hill (02:57) 2 Parcels (03:29) 3 Auntie Aviator (06:03) 4 New Day (03:59) 5 Give Us a Ring (03:53) 6 Sorry to Be So Long (04:44) 7 Tree Green (03:11) 8 Say What You Can (03:06) 9 Road to Ruin (06:21) |
| The Road to Ruin : Allmusic album Review : Much more of a collaboration here than on their previous effort, John and Beverley Martyn continue on their way through the British folk-jazz of the 70s. Flowing with a subtle improvisation that incorporated a greater ethnic feeling, Road to Ruin makes for enjoyable listening indeed. Good singing and playing make this a great album to sit back and reflect upon. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 47 Title: Bless the Weather Released: 1971-11 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:34 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Go Easy (04:15) 2 Bless the Weather (04:29) 3 Sugar Lump (03:42) 4 Walk to the Water (02:48) 5 Just Now (03:39) 6 Head and Heart (04:54) 7 Let the Good Things Come (03:05) 8 Back Down the River (02:40) 9 Glistening Glyndebourne (06:30) 10 Singin in the Rain (01:28) |
| Bless the Weather : Allmusic album Review : Bless the Weather, the first release following two records with his wife Beverley, is a transitional effort for John Martyn. The Glasgow-born singer-songwriters third solo album emphasizes a darker, smokier sound built around his increasingly jazzy vocals, plus sometimes aggressive, sometimes gentle acoustic guitar work, and Danny Thompsons double bass, which skirts in and out around Martyns voice and guitar. It also contains the extended instrumental "Glistening Glyndebourne," which highlights his early experimentation with the Echoplex, a sound that would become a major part of his work in the coming years. Bless the Weather, with songs such as the title cut and "Head and Heart," stands as a fine representation of Martyns early work. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 47 Title: Solid Air Released: 1973 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Solid Air (05:46) 2 Over the Hill (02:54) 3 Don’t Want to Know (03:04) 4 I’d Rather Be the Devil (06:19) 5 Go Down Easy (03:36) 6 Dreams by the Sea (03:18) 7 May You Never (03:41) 8 The Man in the Station (02:54) 9 The Easy Blues (Jelly Roll Blues/Gentle Blues) (03:22) 10 I’d Rather Be the Devil (live) (06:11) |
| Solid Air : Allmusic album Review : Solid Air (whose title track was written for John Martyns friend, songwriter Nick Drake) is one of the defining moments in British folk, in the same league as Fairport Conventions Liege & Lief, Richard & Linda Thompsons Shoot Out the Lights, and Michael Chapmans Rainmaker. Martyn stepped out of his comfort zone to record and produce it, including not only jazz and blues but rock and plenty of sound effects, and featuring Rhodes piano on some of its tracks, dismaying some fans while winning a ton more for its genre-blurring presentation. A number of its cuts -- such as the title track, "Over the Hill," "Id Rather Be the Devil," and "May You Never" -- remained staples in his live sets until the end of his life. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 47 Title: Inside Out Released: 1973-10 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Fine Lines (03:50) 2 Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail (03:06) 3 Aint No Saint (03:39) 4 Outside In (08:23) 5 The Glory of Love (01:56) 6 Look In (02:57) 7 Beverley (03:54) 8 Make No Mistake (05:57) 9 Ways to Cry (03:01) 10 So Much in Love With You (02:48) |
| Inside Out : Allmusic album Review : Probably his most experimental effort, Inside Out saw John Martyns work with the Echoplex become a linchpin in his overall sound. His voice, which was transforming with each recording, also became more of an instrument, developing at times a rough, bluesy quality and slipping further and further into a jazz-like slur. The album, which features Steve Winwood and Chris Wood of Traffic, as well as long time cohort Danny Thompson, balances smoldering tunes like "Ways to Cry" and "Fine Lines" with fiery, hypnotic excursions with the Echoplex, such as "Make No Mistake" and "Look In." Some of his fan base may have felt alienated by the strange flights of Inside Out, but its proven to be an important record in Martyns oeuvre. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 47 Title: Sundays Child Released: 1975-01-24 Tracks: 11 Duration: 38:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Day Without You (02:59) 2 Lay It All Down (01:52) 3 Root Love (04:35) 4 My Baby Girl (02:30) 5 Sundays Child (03:17) 6 Spencer the Rover (04:11) 7 Clutches (01:53) 8 The Message (02:30) 9 Satisfied Mind (03:31) 10 You Can Discover (03:43) 11 Call Me Crazy (07:29) |
| Sunday's Child : Allmusic album Review : John Martyns follow-up to 1973s Inside Out is a much more song-oriented, less experimental effort which concentrates on the joys of home and family. Sundays Child skillfully blends the sensual ("You Can Discover") with the sweet ("My Baby Girl"), the modern ("Root Love") with the traditional ("Spencer the Rover"), and the tormented ("Sundays Child") with the satisfied ("Satisfied Mind," "Call Me Crazy") while retaining its cohesiveness. The record, his sixth on his own, shows the many facets of Martyns playing, from his effects-driven electric guitar to his signature acoustic work, which can be both aggressive ("The Message") and gentle ("Lay It All Down"). This album contains a collection of strong original songs, as well as a pair of wonderful covers: the traditional British ballad "Spencer the Rover" and the country standard "Satisfied Mind." His last recording of new material for three years, Sundays Child is a fine farewell to this period of Martyns ever-changing career. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 47 Title: One World Released: 1977-11-04 Tracks: 8 Duration: 38:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dealer (04:58) 2 One World (04:10) 3 Smiling Stranger (03:29) 4 Big Muff (06:30) 5 Couldnt Love You More (03:06) 6 Certain Surprise (03:53) 7 Dancing (03:43) 8 Small Hours (08:45) |
| One World : Allmusic album Review : After Sundays Child, John Martyn took an extended break from studio recording. By late 1975, feeling he was close to going "completely round the bend," he had also stopped touring. To put some distance between himself and the pressures of the business and to recoup his creative energies, he went to Jamaica. There, after meeting dub producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, Martyn sat in on sessions by other artists and contributed to Burning Spears Man in the Hills. Martyn returned to the U.K. reinvigorated and began recording One World in summer 1977. Produced by Island boss Chris Blackwell and featuring Dave Pegg, Morris Pert, John Stevens, Danny Thompson, and Steve Winwood, among others, One World combines the experimental tendencies of 1973s Inside Out and the more conventional song structures of Sundays Child. While tracks like "Couldnt Love You More," "Smiling Stranger," and "Certain Surprise" display some continuity with the rootsy, jazzy folk-rock of Martyns previous albums, this record has a stronger commercial feel than his earlier work, crossing over into pop territory. Especially memorable in that regard is the electrified swagger of "Big Muff," a number co-written by Perry that would become one of Martyns live staples. But One Worlds understated explorations of mood are even more compelling; the experimental nature of dub -- of which Perry was a legendary exponent -- clearly resonated with Martyn. Since the early 70s, he had displayed a keen ear for sonic manipulation, using effects like Echoplex and a phase shifter to craft drifting, hypnotic textures. Here, the lazy title track and the synth-pulsing "Small Hours" exemplify Martyns knack for mesmerizing, smoky grooves. Those looser, atmospheric numbers notwithstanding, most of One World signals the more slick pop direction John Martyn would take in the 80s starting with Grace & Danger (and with increasingly mixed results). [In 2005, Island released a Deluxe Edition of One World that included five live tracks and 10 alternate versions of songs from the initial release.] | ||
 | Album: 10 of 47 Title: Grace and Danger Released: 1980-10 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Some People Are Crazy (04:19) 2 Grace and Danger (04:02) 3 Lookin On (05:11) 4 Johnny Too Bad (03:56) 5 Sweet Little Mystery (05:27) 6 Hurt in Your Heart (04:58) 7 Baby Please Come Home (03:54) 8 Save Some (for Me) (03:34) 9 Our Love (03:57) |
 | Album: 11 of 47 Title: Glorious Fool Released: 1981-09 Tracks: 11 Duration: 55:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Couldnt Love You More (03:59) 2 Amsterdam (05:27) 3 Hold on My Heart (04:39) 4 Perfect Hustler (04:42) 5 Hearts and Keys (07:33) 6 Glorious Fool (04:58) 7 Never Say Never (04:56) 8 Pascanel (Get Back Home) (03:48) 9 Didnt Do That (04:20) 10 Please Fall in Love With Me (06:07) 11 Dont You Go (04:44) |
| Glorious Fool : Allmusic album Review : With a new label and a big-name producer, Glorious Fool, John Martyns first release following his departure from Island Records, looked to be his best shot at mainstream acceptance. Produced by Phil Collins, who was riding a wave of popularity, and featuring Eric Clapton (who had previously recorded Martyns May You Never) on guitar, the record was his most accessible to date. The album balances the moodiness of the obliquely political title track with cuts such as the muscular drums and guitar of "Amsterdam" and "Never Say Never," as well as the Latin-flavored romanticism of "Hold On My Heart," the slick love paean "Couldnt Love You More," and the haunting, anti-war "Dont You Go." Glorious Fool, the former folkies second recording in a row to shun the acoustic guitar altogether, bears Collins stamp (thanks primarily to his drumming and vocoder-affected backing vocals) without ever obscuring Martyns strong personality. It may not have been the breakthrough some had hoped, but Glorious Fool endures as one of John Martyns best. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 47 Title: Electric Released: 1982-10-12 Tracks: 10 Duration: 48:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 You Can Discover (03:41) 2 Dancing (US mix) (03:56) 3 Certain Surprise (US mix) (03:54) 4 Dealer (US mix) (04:59) 5 Call Me Crazy (07:24) 6 Sweet Little Mystery (single version) (04:02) 7 Root Love (04:32) 8 So Much in Love With You (02:50) 9 Johnny Too Bad (12" mix) (06:51) 10 Id Rather Be the Devil (06:19) |
 | Album: 13 of 47 Title: Philentropy Released: 1983-11 Tracks: 8 Duration: 41:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Make No Mistake (03:33) 2 Dont Want to Know (04:13) 3 Root Love (04:57) 4 Looking On (06:00) 5 Hung Up (04:31) 6 Johnny Too Bad (07:49) 7 Sundays Child (06:02) 8 Smiling Stranger (04:26) |
| Philentropy : Allmusic album Review : John Martyns second live release, Philentropy, is an interesting look back at his career from his transitional period in the early 1970s through 1982s Well Kept Secret. Built largely around electric guitar and synthesizers without even a trace of acoustic instruments, he continues to move even further away from the folk sound of his early days. Along with a tight three-, sometimes four-piece band, Martyn takes this opportunity to use years of experience perfecting his sound to attempt to update these selections from his back catalog. Songs such as "Sundays Child," "Smiling Stranger" and "Root Love" seem to reach fruition in this setting and soar above their previous incarnations, while "I Dont Wanna Know" and "Make No Mistake" retain the passion of the original recordings. Philentropy, which may put off fans of his earlier work, isnt just a typical rehashing of past work in a live setting, but more a completion of a journey. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 47 Title: Sapphire Released: 1984-11 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sapphire (05:15) 2 Over the Rainbow (03:24) 3 You Know (03:14) 4 Watching Her Eyes (03:55) 5 Fishermans Dream (04:17) 6 Acid Rain (04:13) 7 Mad Dog Days (05:00) 8 Climb the Walls (04:17) 9 Coming in on Time (03:38) 10 Rope Sould (04:46) |
| Sapphire : Allmusic album Review : Recorded in the Bahamas with the help of Robert Palmer, Sapphire continues in the vein of the early-80s slicker John Martyn sound. By now the guitar has sunk so far into the mix to where its become virtually nonexistent, and keyboards and drum machines have taken over. Not that omnipresent guitar is necessary for a good Martyn album, but a career thats built so much with guitar, when changed to less guitar, needs to have something else going for it. Martyns unique voice and adept songwriting have proven to be enough since his guitar sank into the background, but unfortunately these attributes arent enough to sustain this particular album. The only really memorable tracks are "Fishermans Dream" and "Mad Dog Days." "Over the Rainbow" (yes, the song from Wizard of Oz) is a surprisingly good choice for Martyn, yet it works much better in his live shows than here in a studio version. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 47 Title: Piece by Piece Released: 1986-04 Tracks: 13 Duration: 58:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Nightline (05:08) 2 Lonely Love (03:17) 3 Angeline (04:44) 4 One Step Too Far (03:21) 5 Piece by Piece (03:51) 6 Serendipity (04:11) 7 Who Believes in Angels (04:55) 8 Love of Mine (04:49) 9 Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love) (03:50) 10 John Wayne (06:53) 11 Solid Air (05:45) 12 One World (04:08) 13 May You Never (03:41) |
| Piece by Piece : Allmusic album Review : Piece by Piece was the second album recorded by Martyn after his return to Island Records after a seven year absence. During this time, his releases on other labels had seen most of any rough edges smoothed off and his guitar playing become almost non-existent. The lighter jazz/pop style which had begun on Grace and Danger had taken over. Keyboardist Foster Paterson was a prominent contributor to the songs on Piece By Piece, which are a mix of the instantly memorable and the soon forgettable. The title song, written by Paterson, is one of the memorable ones. Elsewhere on the album, "Lonely Love" is Martyn at his breeziest and is the happiest sounding youre likely to hear him; "Angeline" is a sublime love song and has the honor of being the first CD single ever released; "John Wayne" would become a staple of his live shows. The rest of the songs, while not bad, do not stand out as these tracks do. Even so, Island pulled out all the stops in promoting the album and a blizzard of materials, including singles, a box-set interview, a tour program, and a press kit were issued. As a result, the album did respectably well in sales and even spawned a live album, Foundations, from the resulting tour. First pressings of the CD had four extra songs on the end ("Tight Connection to My Heart," "Solid Air," "One World," "May You Never"), making it quite collectable. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 47 Title: The Apprentice Released: 1990-03 Tracks: 11 Duration: 48:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Live on Line (04:31) 2 The River (04:03) 3 Look at the Girl (04:34) 4 Income Town (04:26) 5 Send Me One Line (05:37) 6 Deny This Love (04:15) 7 Hold Me (04:51) 8 Upo (03:50) 9 The Apprentice (04:28) 10 The Moment (03:44) 11 Patterns in the Rain (03:44) |
| The Apprentice : Allmusic album Review : The Apprentice was mostly completed a full two years before it was released. Martyns record label, Island, rejected the tapes of the songs in 1988, even though artistically they were not too far removed from his previous release, Piece by Piece. In fact, this album turned out to be the more cohesive of the two. Eventually released by Permanent Records, its by and large a well-crafted collection of songs. Its only weaknesses are the sometimes too-strong dependence on synthesizers and the song "Deny This Love," which is Martyn doing bad dance music (and featuring a truly horrible a cappella introduction). Otherwise, its an enjoyable album. "Look at the Girl" is a wistful follow-up to his 1974 song "My Baby Girl," while the haunting and moving "Patterns in the Rain" features Martyns first recorded acoustic guitar playing in years (even though its not very predominant). "Income Town" is an upbeat, more rock-oriented track, which has a sort of obscure in-joke added to it. Loud arena applause accompanies the beginning, though listeners will notice in the LP liner notes that the song is credited as being recorded at a club called the Green Banana in Toronto. Longtime fans will recognize this mythical club as a recurring Martyn joke. The Apprentice, along with Cooltide, caps off the smooth jazz sound of his 80s albums, and is one of the best of this series of works. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 47 Title: Cooltide Released: 1991-09-09 Tracks: 9 Duration: 52:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Hole in the Rain (04:39) 2 Annie Says (04:59) 3 Jack the Lad (06:39) 4 Number Nine (03:36) 5 The Cure (04:14) 6 Same Difference (04:22) 7 Father Time (05:34) 8 Call Me (05:36) 9 Cooltide (12:22) |
| Cooltide : Allmusic album Review : After releasing the much-delayed The Apprentice, Martyn was once again on a roll, and, while not quite as strong as The Apprentice, Cooltide was a solid outing. His jazziest release yet, its marred slightly by a gravelly hoarseness in his voice, which makes him sound like hes just recovered from laryngitis. "Jack the Lad" was the single released, and, along with "Annie Says" and the aching "Call Me," they show him entering the 1990s in fine form. The title song had a long gestation, originally recorded for 1979s Grace and Danger under the title "Running up the Harbour." While a bit long, its a great hypnotic, groove-oriented track thats smooth and cool, with Martyn venturing a little further afield than he had in quite a while. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 47 Title: BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert Released: 1992-03 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:16:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Head and Heart (04:04) 2 Spencer the Rover (04:56) 3 Mad Dog Days (05:22) 4 The Dealer (04:22) 5 Outside In (05:26) 6 Big Muff (06:36) 7 Serendipity (04:39) 8 Looking On (07:38) 9 John Wayne (07:35) 10 Johnny Too Bad (06:38) 11 Over the Rainbow (04:33) 12 Outside In (1997 extended version) (15:01) |
| BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert : Allmusic album Review : A well-recorded document of a very good 1986 Martyn show comprises the bulk of this CD, yet the three earlier-recorded tracks are the highlights. Theyre also a weakness of the CD in a way, as the song flow and performance style is disrupted by their placement alongside the very different 1986 show. Its a weakness thats easily forgiven, though, because these early songs are performed so well. Leading off with a 1971 track, "Head and Heart," thats heartfelt and assured, the CD segues well into a 1977 performance of the traditional "Spencer the Rover," the video footage of which was included on the BBC in Vision videotape. From the same performance is the closing track, a long version of his signature concert piece "Outside In," drenched in glorious waves of echoplexed guitar. All in all, as far as live Martyn albums go, this one has some of his finest playing. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 47 Title: Couldnt Love You More Released: 1992-08 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:05:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lonely Love (04:01) 2 Couldnt Love You More (03:50) 3 Sweet Little Mystery (04:25) 4 Head and Heart (04:06) 5 Couldve Been Me (03:55) 6 One Day Without You (04:33) 7 Over the Hill (03:05) 8 Fine Lines (03:58) 9 May You Never (03:34) 10 One World (06:26) 11 Ways to Cry (04:43) 12 Angeline (05:18) 13 Man in the Station (03:53) 14 Solid Air (06:30) 15 Never Let Me Go (03:23) |
| Couldn't Love You More : Allmusic album Review : Sporting one of the truly terrible album covers in rock history, Couldnt Love You More unfortunately doesnt redeem itself much with its musical content. Primarily the unfinished tracks which were eventually released as the (slightly) better album No Little Boy, it was released without Martyns approval by the record company he was signed to at the time. The selections are all re-recorded versions of his own songs which rarely match the originals. Yet, theyre strong songs, so the album isnt a total loss. In fact, "Solid Air" comes close to the moody atmospherics of the original, and "Over The Hill" breaks some new ground, with an added violin part. Though Martyn is quoted as saying of the album "I hate it. It sucks. Its horrible," its really not that bad of an album for what it is, and in fact is not much different than the Martyn-sanctioned No Little Boy (aside from some variance in track selection). To compare the two side by side, you can seek out the One World version, which combines the two albums in a double-CD set. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 47 Title: No Little Boy Released: 1993-07-06 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:18:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Solid Air (06:43) 2 Ways to Cry (05:05) 3 Couldve Been Me (04:20) 4 Dont Want to Know (04:29) 5 Just Now (04:06) 6 One Day Without You (03:54) 7 Sweet Little Mystery (04:13) 8 Pascanel (04:28) 9 Sundays Child (06:12) 10 Head and Heart (04:03) 11 Fine Lines (04:19) 12 Bless the Weather (04:43) 13 Man in the Station (04:07) 14 One World (08:33) 15 Rock, Salt and Nails (05:00) 16 Hole in the Rain (04:06) |
| No Little Boy : Allmusic album Review : A wonderful collection of songs that deserves to be heard, No Little Boy serves as a sort of greatest-hits package for John Martyn, and also makes an excellent introduction to the music of this unique performer. This album is made up of newly re-recorded versions of some of Martyns finest material from throughout his career. With assistance from longtime fan and friend Phil Collins, and contributions from an all-star cast including vocalist Levon Helm of the Band, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, saxman Andy Sheppard, and others, Martyn delivers definitive takes on his catalog of folk- and jazz-flavored material, recorded with pristine clarity and crispness. His trademark vocal slur is in evidence here, but the enunciation is more decipherable than on earlier recordings. This is beautiful, haunting, densely atmospheric, at times funky music. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 47 Title: Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology Released: 1994-06-06 Tracks: 34 Duration: 2:34:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bless the Weather (04:29) 2 Head and Heart (04:54) 3 Glistening Glyndebourne (06:34) 4 Solid Air (05:46) 5 Over the Hill (02:51) 6 Don’t Want to Know (03:01) 7 I’d Rather Be the Devil (06:19) 8 May You Never (03:43) 9 Fine Lines (03:50) 10 Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhaill (03:08) 11 Make No Mistake (05:58) 12 One Day Without You (02:59) 13 Lay It All Down (01:52) 14 Root Love (04:35) 15 Sundays Child (03:17) 16 Spencer the Rover (04:11) 17 You Can Discover (03:43) 18 Call Me Crazy (07:29) 1 Couldnt Love You More (03:06) 2 Certain Surprise (03:50) 3 Dancing (03:55) 4 Small Hours (08:45) 5 Dealer (04:58) 6 One World (04:02) 7 Some People Are Crazy (04:18) 8 Lookin On (05:13) 9 Johnny Too Bad (03:56) 10 Sweet Little Mystery (05:27) 11 Hurt In Your Heart (04:59) 12 Baby Please Come Home (03:54) 13 Sapphire (05:15) 14 Fishermans Dream (04:17) 15 Angeline (04:44) 16 Send Me One Line (04:44) |
| Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology : Allmusic album Review : John Martyn was Island Records first white solo performer. Having debuted as a fresh-faced teenage folky with 1967s London Conversation, he soon embarked on a restless musical odyssey. Built on a foundation of folk, blues, and jazz, Martyns music has ranged from effects-laden experimentation, through rock, to fusion-influenced pop. This overview of Martyns Island recordings ignores his first two albums and two releases with then-wife Beverley, picking up with Bless the Weather (1971). Although ornate love songs from that record like "Head and Heart" remain close to Martyns traditionalist roots, the instrumental "Glistening Glyndebourne" shows he was keen to distance himself from the Donovan-Cat Stevens orbit of twee folk-pop. Solid Air, 1973s sublime follow-up, is well represented here. On it, Martyn moved effortlessly among light acoustic tunes ("Over the Hill"), darker, jazzier numbers ("Solid Air," his ode to friend Nick Drake), and gizmo-enhanced excursions (his rendering of Skip James "Id Rather Be the Devil"). Martyn pursued his experimental inclinations further with the jazz-folkadelic Inside Out (1973); that albums adventurous spirit is captured by the gently droning "Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhaill," which reworks a 19th century Celtic folk tune with such late 20th century rock tools as a fuzzbox and phase-shifter. Sundays Child (1974) returned to a more focused song format, as demonstrated by the mournful "Spencer the Rover." Martyns next studio venture, One World (1977), combined chilled-out moodscapes ("Small Hours") with slick, adult-oriented pop and rock ("Dancing"), the latter tendency even more prominent on Grace & Danger (1980) and exemplified by the delicate "Sweet Little Mystery." While Martyns later Island releases were less memorable, those mid-80s numbers collected here hold up well. This album provides a great introduction to John Martyn; its only weakness is the omission of his earliest efforts, a sampling of which would give a fuller sense of his works evolution. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 47 Title: Live Released: 1995 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:27:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Easy Blues (03:09) 2 May You Never (04:22) 3 Dealer (06:29) 4 Outside In (01:51) 5 Never Let Me Go (04:10) 6 Sapphire (05:36) 7 Could Not Love You More (04:45) 8 Deny This Love (00:55) 9 Fishermans Dream (03:31) 10 Big Muff (00:29) 11 Angeline (06:01) 12 Sweet Little Mystery (03:09) 1 The River (00:10) 2 Income Town (00:30) 3 The Apprentice (01:21) 4 John Wayne (10:51) 5 Look at That Girl (06:41) 6 Looking On (07:51) 7 Johnny Too Bad (07:41) 8 One World (07:47) |
| Live : Allmusic album Review : Released five years after the performance from whence it came, Live is a decent if unessential album. Focusing primarily on songs from his later career, its a very slick, keyboard-heavy collection. None of the songs add anything to previously released versions, though David Gilmour guests on "John Wayne" and "Look at That Girl" (which is about Martyns daughter, who was in the audience). For those wanting the visual aspect of the show, The Apprentice Tour videotape duplicates most of whats on the album. This was released in a few different versions, first on Permanent Records, then a few years later on Voiceprint/One World (with their usual song title misspellings), and then on Griffin as Dirty, Down and Live. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 47 Title: And. Released: 1996-07-29 Tracks: 9 Duration: 48:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sunshines Better (05:17) 2 Suzanne (03:54) 3 The Downward Pull of Human Nature (05:08) 4 All in Your Favour (04:28) 5 A Little Strange (04:57) 6 Who Are They? (02:32) 7 Step It Up (04:31) 8 Carmine (05:31) 9 Shes a Lover / Sunshines Better (Acid remix) (11:59) |
| And. : Allmusic album Review : Though his reputation is based on folk music, in the 1990s John Martyn began saying he was "funky, not folky," and this album proves it. A heady brew of trip-hop, late-night jazz, and heavy rhythms, it was a step away from the primarily smooth jazz of his 1980s work and a quantum leap away from his 1960s and 1970s acoustic music. Its a successful venture, as Martyns slurry impressionistic vocals were made for this kind of music. "Sunshines Better" is the highlight track, and its so good that its on the album twice, the second time as a remixed unlisted hidden track tacked onto the end. Phil Collins guests on some songs (most notably "Suzanne"), but thankfully his sound, which could be antithetical to the songs, does not predominate. Though this album may distance listeners loyal to the earlier Martyn sound, those approaching with an open mind will find an artist ably keeping current and a quite good collection of songs. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 47 Title: The Hidden Years Released: 1996-12-31 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:17:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Live on Love (04:28) 2 Hole in the Rain (04:39) 3 The River (04:03) 4 Jack the Lad (06:39) 5 Look at the Girl (04:30) 6 Same Difference (04:23) 7 Send Me One Line (05:33) 8 The Cure (04:12) 9 Income Town (04:21) 10 The Apprentice (04:20) 11 Call Me (05:38) 12 Deny This Love (04:10) 13 Hold Me (04:48) 14 Cooltide (12:22) 15 Patterns in the Rain (03:44) |
| The Hidden Years : Allmusic album Review : The Hidden Years compiles the highlights of John Martyns uneven early-90s recordings for Permanent Records, including the majority of both 1990s The Apprentice and 1991s Cool Tide. Its the best way to sample a largely forgettable era of Martyns career, even though there are still a number of ringers among these selected tracks. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 47 Title: The Very Best of John Martyn Released: 1997-04-07 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:12:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lonely Love (04:00) 2 Couldnt Love You More (02:18) 3 Sweet Little Mystery (03:44) 4 Head and Heart (04:05) 5 Couldve Been Me (04:22) 6 Over the Hill (03:07) 7 Fine Lines (04:22) 8 May You Never (03:36) 9 One World (08:35) 10 Ways to Cry (05:05) 11 Angeline (05:19) 12 Man in the Station (04:07) 13 Solid Air (06:44) 14 Never Let Me Go (03:24) 15 I Dont Wanna Know (04:30) 16 Bless the Weather (04:42) |
| The Very Best of John Martyn : Allmusic album Review : Despite the quality of the albums he produced in the 1970s, John Martyn has never received the sort of attention awarded to some of his folk contemporaries like Van Morrison, Tim Buckley, and Richard Thompson. At the time of this 1998 release by Artful (formerly Permanent), the singers catalog was largely in disarray, with many important titles out of print or available to U.S. fans only as expensive imports. Though Island Records had taken an important step in releasing the two-disc overview Sweet Mysteries (1995), Martyns music was always best heard in its original album context. Rather than draw from the original sources, however, The Very Best of John Martyn delivers re-cuts the singer recorded in the early 90s, many of which had already been released on the authorized collection No Little Boy. Reworking his back catalog with a series of slick productions was never going to be a good idea. The results lose the earthy jazz, blues, and folk elements that once rooted his songcraft. Instead, Tim Tullios production style (dominated by airy synths, feathery horns, and antiseptic drums) roots the music in late 80s adult pop/rock, a sound far less enduring. There are occasional glimpses of the magic quality of Martyns vintage recordings when the singer is found temporarily drifting with the music, but these moments are few and far between. At best, the new versions recall Van Morrisons updates of his own work on Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast, a document of his Beautiful Visions/A Sense of Wonder band in concert. Though competent, even the finest moments on The Very Best of John Martyn fail to shed new light on material from Bless the Weather, Solid Air, and One World. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 47 Title: The Church With One Bell Released: 1998-03-23 Tracks: 10 Duration: 48:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Hes Got All the Whiskey (03:20) 2 Gods Song (03:31) 3 How Fortunate the Man With None (05:08) 4 Small Town Talk (02:53) 5 Excuse Me Mister (04:39) 6 Strange Fruit (04:03) 7 The Sky Is Crying (04:03) 8 Glory Box (05:44) 9 Feel So Bad (03:30) 10 Death Dont Have No Mercy / How Fortunate the Man With None (alternate) (11:35) |
| The Church With One Bell : Allmusic album Review : The Church with One Bell is an interesting covers album, finding John Martyn tackling songs that are both ideal and absolutely ill-fitting. Since Martyn is such an idiosyncratic talent, maybe it shouldnt be surprising that he succeeds on "Strange Fruit" and not with Randy Newmans signature craftmanship on "Gods Song," but theres still a bit of shock that the former works. Furthermore, the choice of material is often puzzling, but he makes songs like Ben Harpers "Excuse Me Mister" work through committed performances. Ultimately, The Church with One Bell is too uneven to qualify as even a minor gem in his catalog, but there are enough interesting moments to make it a worthwhile listen for long-term followers. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 47 Title: Live at Leeds Released: 1998-09-01 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:49:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 May You Never (05:28) 2 Outside In (12:55) 3 Spencer the Rover (03:58) 4 Make No Mistake (05:00) 5 Bless the Weather (04:42) 6 My Baby Girl (02:45) 7 You Can Discover (03:57) 8 Solid Air (06:10) 1 Id Rather Be the Devil (11:22) 2 So Much in Love With You (05:25) 3 Clutches (05:37) 4 Mailman (05:55) 5 May You Never (rehearsal) (04:08) 6 The Message (rehearsal) (05:12) 7 Outside In (rehearsal) (13:18) 8 The Man in the Station (rehearsal) (03:48) 9 Head and Heart (rehearsal) (04:31) 10 Clutches (rehearsal) (05:11) |
| Live at Leeds : Allmusic album Review : Because Island Records didnt feel it was the right time for a live album, Martyn independently released this record from his home. The initial release was a limited edition of 10,000 (which Island did manufacture, though not distribute or promote) that was numbered and signed. Though the album shares its title with the famous Who live collection of the same name, the working title was "Ringside Seat" and photos of Martyn and bassist Danny Thompson in a boxing ring were even taken for a prospective cover, though never used. Recorded February 13, 1975 (the sleeve incorrectly states October), at Leeds University in the U.K., this is John Martyn at a peak in his career. In Thompson, hed found a perfect foil for his increasingly jazzy textures and their bass and guitar interaction is a particular highlight. Having mastered the echoplex, which was capable of producing waves of echoed and distorted sound, Martyn was doing things with an acoustic guitar that no one had ever done (or has done since). "Outside In" (all 18:57 of it!) is a tour de force showcasing the otherwordly sounds he could coax from this device, and is worth the price of the album alone. The re-released version on Voiceprint/One World includes five bonus tracks ("My Baby Girl," "You Can Discover," "So Much in Love With You," "Clutches," "Mailman") from the show, including the ones Paul Kossoff of Free guested on. | ||
 | Album: 28 of 47 Title: Serendipity: An Introduction to John Martyn Released: 1998-11-02 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:16:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Solid Air (05:48) 2 Id Rather Be the Devil (06:22) 3 Bless the Weather (04:29) 4 Seven Black Roses (04:02) 5 Stormbringer (04:19) 6 May You Never (03:43) 7 Glistening Glyndebourne (06:34) 8 Look In (02:59) 9 Ways to Cry (03:04) 10 One Day Without You (02:59) 11 My Baby Girl (02:32) 12 Smiling Stranger (03:32) 13 Johnny Too Bad (04:00) 14 Coming in on Time (03:35) 15 Serendipity (04:12) 16 Sweet Little Mystery (05:27) 17 Small Hours (08:42) |
 | Album: 29 of 47 Title: Glasgow Walker Released: 2000-05-22 Tracks: 10 Duration: 53:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 So Sweet (04:50) 2 Wildflower (06:24) 3 The Field of Play (05:48) 4 Cool in This Life (04:23) 5 Feel So Good (05:21) 6 Cry Me a River (05:45) 7 Mama T (05:54) 8 Cant Live Without (04:13) 9 The Cat Wont Work Tonight (04:58) 10 You Dont Know What Love Is (05:19) |
| Glasgow Walker : Allmusic album Review : Following his 1999 collection of cover tunes The Church With One Bell, John Martyn returned with Glasgow Walker, his first recording of new material in four years. An album whose seductive moodiness can either draw you in or drift off into the ether, Glasgow Walker, like much of his recent work, lives and dies on its smoky grooves, ambient loops, and subtle, jazz-inflected instrumentation, as well as Martyns idiosyncratic vocal delivery. When he does find that right mood or groove, for instance on the entrancing opener "So Sweet" or the slow, sensual R&B; of "Wildflower," the result can be riveting, but moments of lukewarm funk, uninspired synth landscapes, and soft material are responsible for the occasional lull in an album that is already laid-back. Still, his successes tend to outweigh the failures. While 90 percent of Glasgow Walker adheres to a similar premise and sound, Martyn tosses a curve with the records closer, "You Dont Know What Love Is." For a good portion of his career hes toyed with elements of jazz, but here, as with "Strange Fruit" from the previous album, he once again tackles a straightforward jazz classic. Performed with a jazz quintet, "You Dont Know What Love Is" may or may not be a hint at a new direction for Martyn but, as was the case with the venerable Billie Holiday piece, he pulls it off with style and grace. There may be a few tracks that seem to get lost in their own atmosphere, but at its best Glasgow Walkers hypnotic textures ebb and flow around the deliberate rhythms and Martyns evocative, understated vocal, resulting in a record thats capable of getting under your skin, if you give it the chance. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 47 Title: Germany 1986 Released: 2001-07-16 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:12:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 One Day Without You (05:35) 2 Solid Air (07:59) 3 Sweet Little Mystery (06:14) 4 Bless the Weather (03:39) 5 Beverley (03:40) 6 Make No Mistake (05:28) 7 Dealer (03:51) 8 Outside In (08:31) 9 One Workd (08:43) 10 Id Rather Be the Devil (11:14) 11 Angeline (07:29) |
 | Album: 31 of 47 Title: The Brewery Arts Centre Kendal 1986 Released: 2001-08-13 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:17:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 One Day Without You (04:58) 2 Solid Air (06:41) 3 Sweet Little Mystery (07:13) 4 Bless the Weather (03:35) 5 Beverly (02:02) 6 Make No Mistake (04:04) 7 Dealer (02:21) 8 Outside In (06:42) 9 Spencer the Rover (04:02) 10 The Easy Blues (02:44) 11 Man in the Station (04:34) 12 Angeline (04:56) 13 Lookin On (05:50) 14 Johnny Too Bad (04:05) 15 One World (05:25) 16 May You Never (05:06) 17 Over the Hill (03:27) |
| The Brewery Arts Centre Kendal 1986 : Allmusic album Review : Since the early part of the 70s, John Martyn has explored various shades of folk, jazz, rock, and blues, often in tandem with double bassist Danny Thompson. This union has yielded some amazing moments both in the studio and on-stage, as is documented on such recordings as Bless the Weather, Solid Air, and Live at Leeds, to name a few. Recorded 15 years prior to its release in 2001, and nearly a decade since they had last appeared together on record, The Brewery Arts Centre Kendall 1986 is a live pairing of the two, along with drummer Arran Ahmun, in a primarily acoustic setting. Interestingly enough, a John Martyn record hadnt featured any acoustic guitar since 1977s One World, which was the last time Thompson had done a session with him. Throughout their time working together, whether on the original recordings or in concert, Martyn and Thompson have always relied on chemistry, pure musicianship, and a sort of jazz-like spontaneity, all of which are apparent on The Brewery Arts Centre. Over the course of 17 tracks, Martyn and company round up many of the usual suspects from his extensive catalog, including "Solid Air," "Bless the Weather," and "May You Never," placing them in familiar surroundings, while later tunes like "Angeline," "Lookin On," and the beautiful "Sweet Little Mystery" seem equally at home here. Thompson and Ahmun, whether setting a groove or falling in around Martyns sometimes affected, sometimes straightforward guitar, are masterful throughout. Other highlights include a conga and bass-driven "One Day Without You," the subdued passion of "Make No Mistake," and the haunting moodiness of "One World." The only real drawback, as is the case with many of these One World live recordings, is the somewhat lifeless sound. The Brewery Arts Centre may not necessarily be essential, but it should be of interest to fans. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 47 Title: Sweet Certain Surprise Released: 2001-10-15 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:14:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Head And Heart (05:58) 2 Man In The Station (03:29) 3 My Baby Girl (03:19) 4 Make No Mistake (04:29) 5 Bless The Weather (05:48) 6 Seven Black Roses (instrumental) (03:28) 7 Certain Surprise (04:32) 8 Couldnt Love You More (04:15) 9 Over The Hill (04:07) 10 Solid Air (05:53) 11 The Easy Blues (04:07) 12 One Day Without You (04:02) 13 Big Muff (06:10) 14 Sweet Little Mystery (07:23) 15 May You Never (03:40) 16 Spencer The Rover (04:19) |
| Sweet Certain Surprise : Allmusic album Review : A belated official issue of a well-traveled bootleg, Sweet Certain Surprise is a solo acoustic performance by John Martyn from 1977, with four selections from an electric full-band gig from 1981 tacked on the end. The timing is key for Martyn fans, as the 1977 gig comes at the end of a nearly three-year period when the singer/songwriter had withdrawn almost entirely from music. Indeed, the set is primarily intriguing for its inclusion of a few songs that would later appear on the 1977 studio album One World, here in embryonic versions with (in the case of "A Certain Surprise") much different lyrics, as well as a moving version of "Solid Air," Martyns song of mourning for his late friend Nick Drake. The electric tracks are interesting in that they show how Martyn moved away from folk into a form of world music fusion (one song, the rambling "Big Muff," was written by Martyn and legendary reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry), but they dont really fit with the intimate, casual feel of the 13 solo acoustic performances. While the sound is improved for this release, it still reflects its origins as a muffled audience tape, and as a result of the iffy sound and Martyns occasionally unsure performances, Sweet Certain Surprise is definitely a release for the most devoted members of John Martyns cult audience. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 47 Title: Solid Air: Classics Revisited Released: 2002-09-23 Tracks: 28 Duration: 2:24:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Look at That Girl (04:31) 2 Income Town (04:24) 3 Send Me One Line (05:34) 4 Deny This Love (04:27) 5 The Apprentice (04:21) 6 Ways to Cry (05:00) 7 Head and Heart (04:04) 8 Sundays Child (06:13) 9 One Day Without You (03:28) 10 Just Now (04:07) 11 I Dont Wanna Know (04:11) 12 Fine Lines (04:22) 13 One World (08:34) 14 Rock Salt and Nails (05:10) 1 Couldnt Love You More (03:52) 2 Sweet Little Mystery (04:14) 3 Over the Hill (03:07) 4 May You Never (03:36) 5 Angeline (05:19) 6 Man in the Station (04:08) 7 Solid Air (06:48) 8 Bless the Weather (04:43) 9 Johnny Do Bad (13:22) 10 Sapphire (05:25) 11 Fishermans Dream (04:29) 12 Big Muff (08:11) 13 Easy Blues (02:51) 14 Dealer (06:20) |
 | Album: 34 of 47 Title: Classics Released: 2003 Tracks: 27 Duration: 2:24:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lonely Love (04:00) 2 Couldnt Love You More (03:50) 3 Sweet Little Mystery (04:13) 4 Head and Heart (04:04) 5 Couldve Been Me (04:21) 6 Over the Hill (03:06) 7 Fine Lines (04:20) 8 May You Never (03:36) 9 One World (08:33) 10 Ways to Cry (05:05) 11 Angeline (05:18) 12 Man in the Station (04:07) 13 Solid Air (06:42) 14 Never Let Me Go (03:24) 15 Dont Want to Know (04:29) 16 Bless the Weather (04:41) 1 Pascanel (04:28) 2 Rock, Salt & Nails (05:01) 3 Sundays Child (06:12) 4 Just Now (04:07) 5 Johnny Too Bad (13:21) 6 Sapphire (05:25) 7 Fishermans Dream (04:28) 8 Big Muff (08:11) 9 Easy Blues (03:10) 10 Dealer (06:21) 11 John Wayne (09:48) |
| Classics : Allmusic album Review : Any longtime John Martyn fan can look at the track listing of this two-CD set and agree that yes, most of these songs are John Martyn classics. But for those who loved him in his 70s period, when there was a wonderful rolling edge to his music by his mixing of folk with jazz, thats as far as the approval will extend. The songs might be great, but these performances of them definitely arent classics. They come from the late 80s and 90s (many from the No Little Boy and Couldnt Love You More sessions) when he revisited his older material with a new band, and decided to place it all firmly in the middle of the road. Its not terrible -- the playing is good, and the songs still have class -- but its enough to make any hardcore fan cry and wonder whatever happened to Martyn. Even the presence of Levon Helm on a version of Utah Phillips "Rock Salt And Nails" does nothing to put backbone into this. Its sad to say, but what there is here is simply a lot of smooth jazz, dinner music for people who dont really care about music. If you want to know what Martyn could do before he lost the plot, buy the Sweet Little Mysteries compilation. Much of the same material, but its like watching a movie go from black and white to Technicolor. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 47 Title: Anthology Released: 2004 Tracks: 27 Duration: 2:30:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Bless the Weather (04:43) 2 Solid Air (06:41) 3 May You Never (04:16) 4 Outside In (08:03) 5 One World (04:02) 6 Sundays Child (06:08) 7 Make No Mistake (04:56) 8 Id Rather Be the Devil (08:50) 9 So Much in Love (05:26) 10 Serendipity (04:11) 11 Send Me a Line (05:34) 12 Yes We Can (06:37) 13 Carmine (08:01) 1 Big Muff (06:44) 2 Dealer (04:55) 3 Smiling Strangers (04:42) 4 Couldnt Love You More (03:08) 5 One Day Without You (04:22) 6 Cooltide (12:18) 7 Sweet Little Mystery (04:05) 8 Hole in the Rain (03:54) 9 Angeline (05:09) 10 The River (04:24) 11 The Apprentice (04:15) 12 The Moment (03:42) 13 Jack the Lad (06:37) 14 I Dont Wanna Know (04:26) |
 | Album: 36 of 47 Title: On the Cobbles Released: 2004-04-26 Tracks: 10 Duration: 45:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Baby Come Home (03:28) 2 Under My Wing (04:10) 3 Ghosts (04:03) 4 Back to Marseilles (04:20) 5 Cobbles (03:52) 6 My Creator (07:17) 7 One for the Road (04:05) 8 Go Down Easy (04:57) 9 Walking Home (04:49) 10 Goodnight Irene (04:13) |
| On the Cobbles : Allmusic album Review : Martyns first album of new material in four years might be short (around 45 minutes), and one of the tracks has appeared before ("Baby Come Home," which was on a tribute to Scots singer Frankie Miller), but its eminently satisfying, especially when you take into account that most of the vocals and guitar work were laid down after Martyn had his right leg amputated in spring 2003. He revisits his own past with "Go Down Easy," which was originally on Solid Air, although in this guise its barely recognizable, transformed from an acoustic frippery into a meandering, atmospheric electric piece (this version was originally recorded in 1992 for a ballet). To the joy of longtime fans, theres plenty of Martyns acoustic fretboard work on On the Cobbles, although its not as prominent as it was in the 70s. But the free-and-easy love song "One for the Road" is a joy, as is the wistful "Back to Marseilles." A couple of guests do show up: Paul Weller on "Under My Wing," (arguably the best song Weller never wrote) where the former Jam man sounds nervous in the presence of the Big Man, and Mavis Staples roars on a cover of Leadbellys "Goodnight Irene," although Martyn really doesnt need her help, putting forth a large, extremely soulful sound himself. His voice is the central thing here, and it continues to become a glorious instrument, slipping and slurring like a tenor horn, and fashioning beautiful lines. Thats nowhere more apparent than on the albums two key tracks, "Ghosts" and "My Creator." The former is a meditation of mortality, full of trademark Martyn phrases and ideas, but executed with glowing restraint. "My Creator" is a kind of creed, truly words to live by, and the spiritual heir of "Solid Air." The jazziest cut on the album (former foil Danny Thompson plays double bass on it), its dominated by horns to create an atmosphere of midnight blue, with Martyn wafting over the top in an irresistible manner. While On the Cobbles might be worth the price for that cut alone, the whole disc is a testament to a man who will never go gently into the good night. | ||
 | Album: 37 of 47 Title: Late Night John Released: 2004-05-24 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:12:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ballad of an Elder Woman (02:40) 2 Fly on Home (02:28) 3 Parcels (03:24) 4 Stormbringer (04:16) 5 Bless the Weather (04:26) 6 Head and Heart (04:52) 7 Solid Air (05:44) 8 Dont Want to Know (02:58) 9 So Much in Love With You (02:49) 10 You Can Discover (03:42) 11 Call Me Crazy (07:28) 12 Small Hours (08:43) 13 One World (04:01) 14 Lookin On (05:12) 15 Hurt in Your Heart (04:57) 16 Angeline (04:42) |
| Late Night John : Allmusic album Review : As the title signifies, the raison dêtre behind this compilation seems to be zeroing in on songs that find John Martyn in his mellower after-hours folk-blues-jazz moods. While the 16 tracks span the first couple of decades of his recording career (from 1967-1986), it shouldnt be regarded as a best-of or overview, as Martyns been too prolific and stylistically restless for this to be representative of his work. Considering how stylistically (and qualitatively) erratic his albums have been, however, theres something to be said for an anthology that emphasizes particular facets of his sound, as this one does. It results in a collection thats more consistent than most Martyn records (compilations or otherwise), and does manage to include some of his better-known songs, such as "Stormbringer," "Bless the Weather," and "Solid Air." Generally theres a shift over the years from an acoustic folk-based approach -- the first song, 1967s "Ballad of an Elder Woman," strongly recalls Bert Jansch, while 1968s "Fly On Home" will find favor with those who enjoy Nick Drake -- to more sophisticated jazz-inflected arrangements. The last few cuts do start to verge on moving from mellow to mushy in their slickness. But generally the material -- all but the last three cuts hailing from 1967-1977 -- is strong and satisfying, and perhaps more accessible to the average pop listener than a more wide-ranging and extensive Martyn best-of. | ||
 | Album: 38 of 47 Title: In Session Released: 2006-08-28 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:10:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Devil Get My Woman (06:27) 2 Inside (07:49) 3 Beverley / Make No Mistake (05:27) 4 May You Never (03:41) 5 Fine Lines (03:14) 6 Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail (02:58) 7 One Day (Without You) (03:45) 8 Discover the Lover (03:27) 9 My Baby Girl (03:08) 10 The Message (02:54) 11 Spencer the Rover (04:00) 12 May You Never (03:58) 13 Certain Surprise / Couldn’t Love You No More (05:44) 14 Over the Hill (02:31) 15 One Day (Without You) (03:26) 16 Small Hours (08:24) |
 | Album: 39 of 47 Title: Gold Released: 2008-01-22 Tracks: 34 Duration: 1:03:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:50) 2 Seven Black Roses (04:02) 3 John the Baptist (03:13) 4 Woodstock (01:44) 5 Primrose Hill (02:57) 6 Parcels (03:24) 7 Bless the Weather (04:29) 8 Head and Heart (04:54) 9 Glistening Glyndebourne (06:34) 10 May You Never (03:41) 11 Solid Air (05:43) 12 Dont Want to Know (?) 13 The Man in the Station (?) 14 Fine Lines (?) 15 Ways to Cry (?) 16 Root Love (?) 17 You Can Discover (?) 18 Spencer the Rover (?) 1 Smiling Stranger (03:32) 2 One World (04:02) 3 Couldnt Love You More (03:06) 4 Small Hours (08:45) 5 Some People Are Crazy (?) 6 Johnny Too Bad (?) 7 Hurt in Your Heart (?) 8 Sweet Little Mystery (?) 9 Fishermans Dream (?) 10 Over the Rainbow (?) 11 Serendipity (?) 12 Angeline (?) 13 Send Me One Line (?) 14 Hole in the Rain (?) 15 Sunshines Better (?) 16 The Downward Pull of Human Nature (?) |
 | Album: 40 of 47 Title: Aint No Saint Released: 2008-09 Tracks: 61 Duration: 5:12:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:51) 2 Sing a Song of Summer (02:19) 3 Stormbringer (04:17) 4 Tree Garden (03:10) 5 Head and Heart (04:52) 6 Inn the Evening (04:06) 7 Solid Air (05:47) 8 Keep On (04:58) 9 The Glory of Love (02:16) 10 Go Down Easy (03:36) 11 Aint No Saint (Instrumental) (05:55) 12 Fine Lines (03:50) 13 Eight More Miles (02:03) 14 Call Me Crazy (07:26) 15 Black Man At Your Shoulder (07:22) 16 For the Love of You (05:05) 17 Working it Out (02:44) 18 Couldnt Love You More (03:06) 1 Advertisement (00:34) 2 Small Hours (Instrumental) (10:20) 3 Anna (04:13) 4 Lookin On (05:16) 5 Amsterdam (05:29) 6 Hung Up (04:00) 7 Acid Rain (04:12) 8 Who Believes In Angels (04:57) 9 The Apprentice (04:22) 10 Hole In the Rain (04:40) 11 One World (06:27) 12 Sundays Child (06:12) 13 Carmine (05:29) 14 The Sky Is Crying (04:01) 15 So Sweet (04:50) 16 Back to Marseilles (04:20) 1 Bless the Weather (11:49) 2 Make No Mistake (05:16) 3 So Much In Love With You (05:55) 4 Spencer the Rover (04:07) 5 My Baby Girl (02:48) 6 You Can Discover (05:15) 7 Solid Air (07:00) 8 Id Rather Be the Devil (Devil Got My Woman) (08:55) 9 Outside In (13:09) 10 Advertisement (00:17) 11 Big Muff (09:32) 12 One Day Without You (03:27) 1 Dealer (07:14) 2 Smiling Stranger (07:44) 3 Johnny Too Bad (03:56) 4 Hurt In Your Heart (06:49) 5 John Wayne (06:37) 6 Angeline (05:21) 7 Mad Dog Days (05:12) 8 The Moment (04:16) 9 Fishermans Dream (05:06) 10 Sweet Little Mystery (05:55) 11 May You Never (05:37) 12 Step It Up (03:47) 13 Sunshines Better (05:05) 14 One For the Road (03:28) 15 Over the Hill (03:27) |
| Ain't No Saint : Allmusic album Review : If ever there were a blueprint for how to compile and present the perfect retrospective box set, John Martyns Aint No Saint is it. These four discs contain all of the artists best known and best-loved tracks to be sure, but set producer and compiler John Hillarby has gone a few extra miles here. Discs one and two contain the well-known studio gems from John Martyns classic Island career, as well as choice recordings from his Warner, Sanctuary, and Permanent periods -- the recordings from this last one are well due to be revisited, especially Cooltide and The Apprentice. But rather than rest with that accomplishment, pulling out literally the finest with almost no room for quibbles, Hillarby gives us no less than a dozen completely unreleased studio performances including "In the Evening," a gorgeous cut that was left off Solid Air and would have fit seamlessly with that recordings mood. Some of these cuts are alternates and outtakes; still others have only turned up on shoddy bootlegs, and others nowhere at all. That all said, its the latter two discs that really provide the magic. With the exception of seven tracks that were recorded for the BBC, the rest of this material, 19 cuts worth, is previously unissued. Martyn was both awe-inspiring and irritating as a performer. He stubbornly refused to give a damn about what anyone else thought of what he did on a stage, but he could be both charming and tender as well, and these traits were with him to the end of his life. But it was on-stage that Martyns lifelong pursuit of song became self-evident: with his eyes closed his amazing guitar playing reached for previously unknown cracks and corners in a song hed written, or in a cover. Check the version of "Bless the Weather" that opens disc three. The first two minutes are a funny story where Martyn endears himself to his audience with a self-deprecating tale of substance abuse and ego crushing before he begins to fingerpick his acoustic guitar, flowing into something like a modal raga style hes followed by bassist Danny Thompson, who bows his instrument in an improvisational interlude that is simply stunning. This track, almost 12 minutes long is, amazingly enough, just a primer for what is to come. Check the rocking electric versions of Skip James "Id Rather Be the Devil," or the blindingly great 13-plus-minute version of "Outside In": both are full band workouts. They offer solid proof of what a genius guitarist Martyn was, possessing a blues musicians sense of time and phrasing, a jazzmans knowledge of improvisation and exploration, the historical knowledge and picking tricks of a folk musician, all wrapped in the dynamic sensibility of a rocker. The versions of "Johnny Too Bad," "Hurt in Your Heart," "Fishermans Dream," and "Sweet Little Mystery" here are almost definitive ones, and the closing versions of "Sunshines Better" and especially "Over the Hill" offer the view of Martyn as a poet and storyteller, as well as a visionary songwriter, singer, and guitarist. Sonically, this collection -- especially the live material -- is stellar throughout. The liner notes by Hillarby and Daryl Easlea are terrific. They provide critical commentary as well as plenty of biographical information. There are some fine photographs to boot. Aint No Saint is destined to be a classic and the final jewel in Martyns crown. This set should make you miss the man and the artist even more. If not, its time for a blood transfusion. | ||
 | Album: 41 of 47 Title: May You Never Released: 2009-01-01 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:03:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 May You Never (03:43) 2 Solid Air (05:44) 3 Bless the Weather (04:28) 4 Sweet Little Mystery (05:26) 5 Head and Heart (04:53) 6 Dont Want to Know (03:02) 7 John the Baptist (03:12) 8 Over the Hill (02:55) 9 Spencer the Rover (04:11) 10 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:50) 11 Couldnt Love You More (03:06) 12 Over the Rainbow (03:24) 13 Sunshines Better (Talvin Singh remix) (05:50) 14 Small Hours (08:44) 15 Singin in the Rain (01:29) |
 | Album: 42 of 47 Title: Heaven and Earth Released: 2011-05-03 Tracks: 9 Duration: 52:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Heel of the Hunt (05:38) 2 Stand Amazed (06:50) 3 Heaven and Earth (07:04) 4 Bad Company (04:35) 5 Couldve Told You Before I Met You (05:08) 6 Gambler (05:17) 7 Cant Turn Back the Years (04:17) 8 Colour (05:30) 9 Willing to Work (08:04) |
 | Album: 43 of 47 Title: Sweet Little Mystery - The Essential Released: 2013-09-09 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:13:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 May You Never (03:44) 2 Couldnt Love You More (03:06) 3 Sweet Little Mystery (05:25) 4 Bless the Weather (04:28) 5 Some People Are Crazy (live) (04:14) 6 Go Down Easy (03:36) 7 One World (04:02) 8 Spencer the Rover (04:11) 9 Johnny Too Bad (03:59) 10 Fine Lines (03:50) 11 Angeline (04:46) 12 Primrose Hill (02:57) 13 Traffic Light Lady (03:18) 14 You Can Discover (live) (03:57) 15 Goin Down to Memphis (03:08) 16 Glistening Glyndebourne (06:34) 17 Small Hours (live) (08:25) |
| Sweet Little Mystery - The Essential : Allmusic album Review : British singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Martyn began his career as a follower of the U.K. folk tradition, but as he began exploring new creative directions, he developed an eclectic musical approach, with his languid but emotionally incisive recordings incorporating elements of jazz, pop, rock, reggae, and progressive rock. Consistent throughout his career was Martyns skillful guitar work, intimate vocal prowess, and powerful songwriting. Sweet Little Mystery: The Essential gathers 17 songs from Martyns long tenure with Island Records, and serves as a powerful reminder of the unique gifts of this longtime cult favorite. | ||
 | Album: 44 of 47 Title: The Island Years Released: 2013-09-27 Tracks: 143 Duration: 7:10:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:52) 2 Sandy Grey (02:25) 3 London Conversation (02:42) 4 Ballad of an Elder Woman (02:42) 5 Cocaine (02:57) 6 Run Honey Run (02:37) 7 Back to Stay (03:28) 8 Rolling Home (05:44) 9 Whos Grown Up Now (04:03) 10 Golden Girl (02:33) 11 This Time (03:08) 12 Dont Think Twice, Its Alright (04:16) 13 Sing a Song of Summer (02:22) 14 The River (02:59) 15 Goin Down to Memphis (03:12) 16 The Gardeners (03:15) 17 A Day at the Sea (02:35) 18 Fishin Blues (02:37) 19 Dusty (03:07) 20 Hello Train (02:36) 21 Winding Boy (02:22) 22 Fly on Home (02:33) 23 Knuckledy Crunch and Slippledee-Slee Song (02:55) 24 Seven Black Roses (04:02) 1 Go Out and Get It (03:09) 2 Cant Get the One I Want (02:55) 3 Stormbringer (04:18) 4 Sweet Honesty (08:03) 5 Woodstock (01:44) 6 John the Baptist (03:13) 7 The Ocean (03:41) 8 Traffic-Light Lady (03:19) 9 Tomorrow Time (03:50) 10 Would You Believe Me? (05:22) 11 John the Baptist (alternate take) (?) 12 Go Out and Get It (alternate take) (?) 13 Traffic-Light Lady (BBC radio International) (?) 14 One of Those Days (05:43) 15 I Dont Know (03:53) 16 Traffic-Light Lady (03:01) 1 Primrose Hill (02:57) 2 Parcels (03:29) 3 Auntie Aviator (06:03) 4 New Day (03:59) 5 Give Us a Ring (03:53) 6 Sorry to Be So Long (04:44) 7 Tree Green (03:11) 8 Say What You Can (03:06) 9 Road to Ruin (06:27) 10 Say What You Can (?) 11 Road to Ruin (?) 12 Here I Am (04:24) 1 Go Easy (04:15) 2 Bless the Weather (04:29) 3 Sugar Lump (03:42) 4 Walk to the Water (02:48) 5 Just Now (03:39) 6 Head and Heart (04:54) 7 Let the Good Things Come (03:05) 8 Back Down the River (02:40) 9 Glistening Glyndebourne (06:30) 10 Singin in the Rain (01:28) 11 Glistening Glyndebourne (take 2) (07:51) 12 Go Easy (take 2) (?) 13 Head and Heart (band version) (10:20) 14 Sugar Lump (take 1) (?) 15 Just Now (?) 16 Bless the Weather (take 4) (05:37) 17 Go Easy (take 1) (04:41) 18 Singin in the Rain (?) 1 The Easy Blues (05:22) 2 Bless the Weather (05:23) 3 May You Never (06:11) 4 Dont Think Twice, Its All Right (01:02) 5 Back to Stay (04:29) 6 Head and Heart (05:30) 7 Singin in the Rain (04:06) 8 Sugar Lump (02:13) 9 Id Rather Be the Devil (Devil Got My Woman) (08:28) 10 Outside In (10:46) 11 The Glory of Love (01:57) 1 Solid Air (05:46) 2 Over the Hill (02:52) 3 Don’t Want to Know (03:01) 4 I’d Rather Be the Devil (06:19) 5 Go Down Easy (03:36) 6 Dreams by the Sea (03:18) 7 May You Never (03:41) 8 The Man in the Station (02:54) 9 The Easy Blues (Jelly Roll Blues/Gentle Blues) (03:22) 10 Solid Air (take 2) (?) 11 Over the Hill (02:51) 12 Id Rather Be the Devil (Devil Got My Woman) (take 2) (?) 13 Id Rather Be the Devil (Devil Got My Woman) (take 3) (?) 14 Go Down Easy (take 3) (?) 15 Go Down Easy (take 4) (?) 16 Dreams by the Sea (take 2) (?) 17 May You Never (take 2) (?) 18 The Man in the Station (take 2) (?) 1 Fine Lines (03:50) 2 Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail (03:06) 3 Aint No Saint (03:39) 4 Outside In (08:23) 5 The Glory of Love (01:56) 6 Look In (02:57) 7 Beverley (03:54) 8 Make No Mistake (05:57) 9 Ways to Cry (03:01) 10 So Much in Love With You (02:48) 11 Beverley / Make No Mistake (05:24) 12 The Glory of Love (take 1) (?) 13 Fine Lines (03:14) 14 Outside In (07:49) 15 Beverley (?) 16 Make No Mistake (?) 1 Outside In (?) 2 Solid Air (?) 3 Make No Mistake (?) 4 Bless the Weather (?) 5 The Man in the Station (?) 6 Id Rather Be the Devil (?) 7 Solid Air (?) 8 Bless the Weather (?) 9 Love of Mine (?) 10 Fishermans Dream (?) 11 John Wayne (?) 1 One Day Without You (02:59) 2 Lay It All Down (01:52) 3 Root Love (04:35) 4 My Baby Girl (02:30) 5 Sundays Child (03:17) 6 Spencer the Rover (04:11) 7 Clutches (01:53) 8 The Message (02:30) 9 Satisfied Mind (03:31) 10 You Can Discover (03:43) 11 Call Me Crazy (07:29) 12 Eight More Miles (?) 13 Sundays Child (?) 14 Root Love (instrumental) (?) 15 Ellie Rhee (03:56) 16 Spencer the Rover (John Peel session) (03:57) 17 Anni (parts 1 & 2) (?) |
| The Island Years : Allmusic album Review : There are few comprehensive, elaborately packaged box sets that actually warrant the price they command, but this 18-disc set by the late songwriter and guitarist John Martyn is one of them. The 17 audio discs contain every album he cut for the label, from his first solo recordings to his duet albums with first wife, Beverly, and all the steps in between until 1987s original version of The Apprentice, which sees first light here. (Chris Blackwell, Islands label boss, refused to release the album, claiming it wasnt the proper direction for him. Martyn took this as an invitation to piss off and declined to renew his contract. He self-financed a re-recording then released it himself in 1990.) There is also a DVD in the package. It includes four Old Grey Whistle Test appearances between 1973 and 1978, the complete Foundations concert -- as well as outtakes from it -- and an appearance on A Little Night Music in 1981. The 17 audio discs include beautifully remastered editions of each album, and dozens of unreleased, alternate, and outtake tracks. Some of the live material really rates highly in this boxs treasure-trove department; in particular, there are two gigs: Live at the Hanging Lamp from 1972 on disc five, which took place between Bless the Weather and Solid Air, and disc tens Live at Town Hall in Sydney, dating from 1977 between Sundays Child and One World. For those who purchased the double-disc deluxe editions of his catalog records, the second discs are included here, so you may want to take that into consideration. That said, those who purchased 2008s Aint No Saint -- prepared with full participation by Martyn just five months before his death -- will find little duplication here when it comes to scale. In addition to the music and video, the package itself is so utterly handsome its almost an artistic fetish object. There are three 12"x12" gatefold sleeves inside a hard, thick, gorgeous cardboard slipcase. Two of these include the 17 audio discs, while the third contains the DVD and various ephemera: there are reproduced handbills, a tour souvenir booklet from 1978, press releases, and even a set list replica. It also contains a full-size, hardbound book entitled The John Martyn Album, which includes a family album of photographs from childhood on, a lengthy, in-depth, and authoritative historical liner essay by John Hillarby, more copious and rare photographs, and a scrapbook of press reviews of various concerts and records. Finally, there is a replica poster from the Live at Leeds gig. Ultimately, no matter how heated the exchanges between Martyn and his fans could be during concerts, the respect between audience and performer was total and it was loyal -- the same punters who would complain the loudest would be at the very next show. It is for these people, those who knew his true worth as an artist who The Island Years was created for and will appeal to most. | ||
 | Album: 45 of 47 Title: The Best of the Island Years Released: 2014 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:12:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Go Easy (take 2) (04:35) 2 Bless the Weather (04:52) 3 Just Now (03:38) 4 Head and Heart (05:00) 5 Glistening Glyndebourne (07:48) 6 May You Never (04:19) 7 Head and Heart (03:58) 8 Id Rather Be the Devil (07:51) 9 Solid Air (take 3) (04:31) 10 Over the Hill (03:19) 11 Id Rather Be the Devil (Devil Got My Woman) (take 3) (06:04) 12 Go Down Easy (take 3) (05:13) 13 Dreams by the Sea (take 2) (03:24) 14 May You Never (take 2) (03:47) 15 Fine Lines Take 2) (03:55) |
 | Album: 46 of 47 Title: May You Never: The Essential John Martyn Released: 2016-11-25 Tracks: 58 Duration: 3:58:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:51) 2 London Conversation (02:43) 3 Cocain (02:59) 4 Back to Stay (03:29) 5 Goin Down to Memphis (03:08) 6 Fishin Blues (02:35) 7 Knuckledy Crunch and Slippledee-Slee Song (02:52) 8 Stormbringer (04:18) 9 John the Baptist (alternate version) (02:54) 10 Traffic-Light Lady (03:17) 11 Primrose Hill (02:54) 12 Say What You Can (03:03) 13 Road to Ruin (06:23) 14 Go Easy (take 3) (04:17) 15 Bless the Weather (04:28) 16 Head and Heart (04:53) 17 Singin in the Rain (01:30) 18 Glistening Glyndebourne (alternate take Previously Unreleased) (07:49) 19 Id Rather Be the Devil (Devil Got My Woman) (06:22) 20 The Easy Blues / Gentle Blues (03:23) 21 The Man in Th Estation (alternate take #2) (02:59) 1 May You Never (03:43) 2 Solid Air (05:44) 3 Over the Hill (alternate take) (03:20) 4 Fine Lines (03:49) 5 Aint No Saint (03:39) 6 The Glory of Love (01:57) 7 Beverley (03:55) 8 Make No Mistake (instrumental) (06:46) 9 One Day Without You (02:58) 10 Sundays Child (03:17) 11 Spencer the Rover (04:10) 12 You Can Discover (03:43) 13 Couldnt Love You More (03:08) 14 One World (04:01) 15 Smiling Stranger (alternate take #2) (03:37) 16 Small Hours (08:44) 17 Save Some (For Me) (03:32) 18 Johnny Too Bad (03:55) 19 Grace and Danger (instrumental) (05:16) 1 Some People Are Crazy (04:13) 2 Sweet Little Mystery (05:20) 3 Baby, Please Come Home (03:50) 4 Sapphire (05:12) 5 Over the Rainbow (03:21) 6 Fishermans Dream (04:14) 7 Acid Rain (Andy Lyden mix) (04:06) 8 Mad Dog Days (Andy Lyden mix) (05:22) 9 Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love?) (03:47) 10 Angeline (04:42) 11 Piece by Piece (alternate take #1) (03:57) 12 John Wayne (alternate take #1) (05:50) 13 Love of Mine (alternate take #1) (04:23) 14 Serendipity (04:09) 15 Who Believes in Angels? (alternate take #1) (04:56) 16 The River (The Apprentice version) (04:17) 17 Deny This Love (04:07) 18 Lifeline (03:53) |
 | Album: 47 of 47 Title: Head and Heart: The Acoustic John Martyn Released: 2017-04-28 Tracks: 35 Duration: 2:12:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Fairy Tale Lullaby (02:52) 2 London Conversation (02:41) 3 Dont Think Twice Its Alright (04:13) 4 She Moved Through the Fair (02:34) 5 Goin Down to Memphis (demo version) (03:01) 6 A Day at The Sea (demo version) (02:33) 7 Seven Black Roses (demo version) (04:04) 8 Woodstock (01:44) 9 John The Baptist (Alternate Version) (02:55) 10 Traffic-Light Lady (Alternate Version) (03:02) 11 Parcels (03:27) 12 New Day (03:59) 13 Tree Green (03:11) 14 Go Easy (04:14) 15 Bless The Weather (04:30) 16 Head and Heart (04:53) 17 Singin in The Rain (Alternate Version) (03:41) 18 In The Evening (04:05) 1 The Glory Of Love (02:17) 2 Solid Air (05:44) 3 Over The Hill (alternate version) (03:30) 4 May You Never (live) (03:42) 5 Go Down Easy (alternate take 3) (05:13) 6 When Its Dark (demo version) (08:38) 7 Fine Lines (03:50) 8 Ways To Cry (03:02) 9 Beverley / Make No Mistake (05:27) 10 One Day (Without You) (03:44) 11 Lay It All Down (01:51) 12 My Baby Girl (03:08) 13 All For The Love Of You (05:05) 14 Working It Out (02:44) 15 Spencer The Rover (03:55) 16 Certain Surprise / Couldnt Love You More (05:44) 17 Patterns In The Rain (03:18) |