John Martyn Recommendations

Posted by: bdnyc on 10 April 2002

I have been enjoying his recent 2 CD set on Trojan called "Patterns In the Rain". I am aware that his career goes back into the 60's, but not at all sure where to start with his albums. Any fans of British folk rock care to add a few recommendations?

Thanks

Bruce

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Peter Stockwell

quote:
Originally posted by bdnyc:
I have been enjoying his recent 2 CD set on Trojan called "Patterns In the Rain". I am aware that his career goes back into the 60's, but not at all sure where to start with his albums. Any fans of British folk rock care to add a few recommendations?
Thanks
Bruce

Of his early stuff my favourites are:

Bless the Weather
Solid Air
Piece by Piece

There's also a compilation from the island years that neatly condences the albums from that period.

Peter

an hour or so later :

I see the that the Trojan set is a retrospective, so you have the best of the early albums. I think the three I noted are the best. I recommend that you stay away from any disc featuring Phil Collins, there are a number from the mid 80s.

Peter

[This message was edited by Peter Stockwell on THURSDAY 11 April 2002 at 08:08.]

Posted on: 11 April 2002 by Pete

... is as good a place to look as any. Great record. I have (and like) One World too, though Solid Air has the edge according to my ears.

Pete.

Posted on: 11 April 2002 by bob atherton

I'm with Pete, Solid Air & One World are my faves. His later stuff circa '85 is nowhere near as good IMHO. Solid Air is a real 'must have'.

Bob.

Posted on: 11 April 2002 by Former member

For an utter blast, try Live At Leeds (from 1976).

It's him with a drummer and stand-up bass (Danny Thompson) doing titles that are familiar (e.g. Outside In, Solid Air, Bless The Weather) in an totally unfamiliar, jazzy, spaced-out way using his echo-guitar efx thingummy (which makes it sound as though there are at least three of him).

It's amazing, but as I said, this is not a mellow singer-songwriter at work.

N.B. Not to be played in front of children. Contains colourful description of exactly what activity Bolero is the best soundtrack to...

Posted on: 11 April 2002 by Former member

solid choice

Posted on: 11 April 2002 by bdnyc

Folkies-

Thanks for your recommendations. It turns out that I already had "Solid Air" on vinyl, collected on one or another LP binge by "Mr. Collector" who had not been in close communication with "Mr. Listener". I'll have to see what other wonders are hiding in my groaning record shelves...

Posted on: 12 April 2002 by Dave J

I'd also like to put in a recommendation for 'Glorious Fool'. Possibly his most mainstream album but an excellent album nevertheless. I think it was produced by Phil Collins but don't let that put you off as it was before he took himself too seriously and his drumming and backing vocal contributions are very good indeed.

Dave

Posted on: 12 April 2002 by Former member

I have to endorse Glorious Fool. What Collins you can hear (and I'm not a fan) works really well.

I'd say the best mainstream album (and I don't consider Live At Leeds mainstream by any means) is Grace And Danger. It's really well produced and arranged, the songs are great, but there is sooooo much emotion in it. Side Two is all about the break-up of his marriage being exeorcised - it's intense and beautiful at the same time.

Posted on: 12 April 2002 by Former member

Simply Vinyl do a nice pressing of Grace and Danger, but - yeah - not to be listened to if you're feeling a bit down.

Jonathan