CD-Charts Position 1
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Solid Air

by: John Martyn

Release Date October 23, 2000
For some strange reason, when I first heard this album, many years ago, I didn't like it. I knew "May you never" which is not very representative of the rest of the album, but that was all I knew. A few years later I happened to hear "Over The Hill" one night and it blew me away. I went out and bought the album straight away, cursing those foolish young ears that had dismissed this timeless classic. These days hardly a week goes by without me giving this a whirl. From the title track through "I Dont Want To Know", "I'd Rather be the Devil", "Man in the Station" and the previously mentioned tracks, each ones a gem delivered in a beautifully hypnotic, lazy slur. Buy it or live to regret it.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Bless The Weather

by: John Martyn

Release Date November 14, 2005
Originally released in 1971 "Bless The Weather" was, according to the extensive sleeve notes included with this version of the album, recorded very quickly and spontaneously. That's a surprise, as the music feels meticulously crafted, as if a great deal of time and love has been spent on it. I suppose that's what great musicians can do. Consummate performers such as Danny Thompson from Pentangle who played bass, Richard Thompson and Tony Reeves from Colosseum contribute noticeably. The most obvious impact is Danny Thompson whose double bass and jazz influences permeate the album and he was to go on and become a long time collaborator of Martyns.
Though a product of a burgeoning folk scene Martyn was always keen to infiltrate other musical ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Grace And Danger

by: John Martyn

Release Date November 02, 1989
Martyn is perhaps one of the most erratic recording artists, a reflection presumably of the ups and downs in his own life. As is well documented, 'Grace & Danger' corresponds with one of these troughs, and has resulted in an album which is staggeringly perfect in its artistic and musical execution. The mid-section 'denial' trio of songs beginning with 'Sweet Little Mystery' are ones I return to with depressing regularity. They are sublimely beautiful, and worth the price of the CD alone. Phil Collins and John Giblin are the most wonderfully intuitively rhythm section,so much so that I almost forgive Collins for being both in Genesis and writing Face Value, but nothing is quite that good. This record is far from depressing, but is both haunting ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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One World

by: John Martyn

Release Date April 18, 1990

Best tracks: "Dancing", "One World", "Small Hours", "Dealer"

Don't get me wrong, Solid Air is a decent, fine album; but John Martyn's best? It doesn't come close to One World, which is a total masterpiece and simultaneously the gifted singer-songwriter's most satisfying journey into experimentation and his most accessible too. Rock, folk, dub and ambient all combine to create a luscious, quietly funky, atmospheric and dreamy work which sounds astonishing turned up loud. The lavish, inviting textures of the opening "Dealer" set the scene perfectly; layers of riffs, funky bass and synthesiser gel seamlessly, creating something that's fleet of foot, airborne and stunningly amorphous. Miraculously, the title track is even better; a ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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London Conversation

by: John Martyn

Release Date August 06, 2007
this is by far my favourite john martyn album. recored when he was just 18 in 1968 - this is johns first album - and some say its a straight folk record - i however, deem it to be simple in theory and beautiful in practise. the gorgeous guitar tunings and slick but thoughtful guitar playing, accompanied by johns raw, melodic vocals make this a truely sublime album.
i'd recommend this album for anyone who likes the work of nick drake, bob dylan et al - ...actually, i'd recommend it to everyone.
it's amazing how many more wonderful albums john has made with his first being such a stonker.
enjoy :-)

CD-Charts Position 6
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Inside Out

by: John Martyn

Release Date November 14, 2005
14 reviews for Solid Air and only one so far for this album, kind of illustrates a point, I think ! Whilst Solid Air and One World are peerless, that's not to ignore what was released inbetween, nosireee. If anything this album contains some of John's finest songs and some completely dreamy instrumentals. Go on, give one a good home.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Sunday's Child

by: John Martyn

Release Date November 14, 2005

John Martyn's 1974 album carries on the fine run of classic early/mid severties albums which mark him out as a rare talent. A talent which has never grown dim despite the passing decades of emotional and physical decline which has seen him suffer Brendan Behan-esque alcohol induced torments.
Hopefully life in the Irish countryside might provide him with an anchor to cling on to.
Back to the album: It flows through the speakers like an aural river....deep and dark. Dappled with sunlight and clouds. As a guitarist Martyn is an alchemist. Tossing fire laced with honey from strings stretched to breaking point.
Sunday morning...strong coffee,newspapers and John Martyn. What more could you ask for ?

CD-Charts Position 8
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The Tumbler

by: John Martyn

Release Date November 14, 2005
i am new to this record but by no means new to great pickin guitarists and blues singers and folkies such as davey graham, the jansch, john renborn etc... i am rather shocked and angry that i didnt own this album a good 20 years ago. its absolutley fantastic. it reaLLy haS EVERYTHING... wry humour verging on the darkest humour..."the gardeners"...absolutely mind boggling picking/guitar work..a beautiful tone in the voice...nicely simply recorded...the flute can seem twee at times but...it was 1968..but at least theres no beatnik throttling a sitar.
i agree all around with the others here. "seven black roses" is phenomanal....excuse my spelling i am too excited...the picking so fast and staunchly rhythmic that, solid i mean, that he does the job of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Ain't No Saint

by: John Martyn

Release Date September 01, 2008
i am new to this record but by no means new to great pickin guitarists and blues singers and folkies such as davey graham, the jansch, john renborn etc... i am rather shocked and angry that i didnt own this album a good 20 years ago. its absolutley fantastic. it reaLLy haS EVERYTHING... wry humour verging on the darkest humour..."the gardeners"...absolutely mind boggling picking/guitar work..a beautiful tone in the voice...nicely simply recorded...the flute can seem twee at times but...it was 1968..but at least theres no beatnik throttling a sitar.
i agree all around with the others here. "seven black roses" is phenomanal....excuse my spelling i am too excited...the picking so fast and staunchly rhythmic that, solid i mean, that he does the job of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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In Session At The BBC

by: John Martyn

Release Date August 28, 2006
fantastic collection of bbc session recordings ,many of john's best tunes , the dvd is well worth looking at too .