john martin

any fans here? if there a diffinitive album that covers all/most of the top tracks

 

His best of when he was with Island records :-

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...art_li_1/104-2318314-7959131?v=glance&s=music

IMO The Apprentice & Solid Air are his best albums

 

I bought "Classics"..........

http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=title&r=CD&title=180418&p=34&c=&g=48

having liked the Talvin Singh remix of Sunshine's Better on the Cafe Del Mar Best of.

Unfortunately, it was a disappointment, but maybe I just chose the wrong collection.

 

Ive only ever bought solid air, which I really enjoy.

if you hunt around you should be able to get a new cd of it for 5-7 quid, its often seen at those prices.

 

Lend an ear to the double Island Anthology album "Sweet Little Mysteries" for the best of John Martyn!

 

The new album 'On the Cobbles' is very good. I have mostly a smattering of early albums, 'Bless the Weather', 'Solid Air', then some mid 80's stuff that's OK. The island retrospective is a very good compil' in my view.

What about his 1990's and later ouput, any opinions ?

Peter

 

I'M A FAN! I'M A FAN!

I've got most of the albums he's released.. There are many, many compilations. I think the various record companies he's been with try to out do each other every few months...
If a compilation it must be, then I would suggest a live album (when he is at his best!), & probably the reissue (because it has some extra tracks) of Live at Leeds. This was recorded in 1975, so obviously covers his much earlier stuff only..but many would say his best stuff...and there are only five songs on the original album..
And Live.. is a 2 CD recorded more recently (1996) & has a lot more variety.
A cheapo compliation of his gentler stuff (lots of songs!) is Late Night John (£3.99 or summatlikethat at CD101?).
As already mentioned, Sweet Little Mysteries is a good studio compilation, which probably covers as much as can be!

Personally, if I had heard a little & thought I'd like to buy some, I'd go for a few original albums rather than compilations..they can be picked up very cheaply on CD... He has recorded a lot of varied & different albums, over a lot of years.
I would start with Solid Air, Grace & Danger, One World (new issue with a load of alternate versions & outakes to be issued mid October). They are from what many regard as his 'best' period. Then The Church with One Bell (recentish covers album), Sunday's Child, Live at Leeds (awesome), The Apprentice. Two more great live albums are Foundations & Philentropy.
That's enough...there are many more...his very early stuff is folky..have been listening to Nick Drake (they were good buddies - Solid Air was inspired by him) today for the first time (what have I been missing!), and there are similarities..
Latest LP is On the Cobbles which is very listenable. He lost a leg last year, but did a tour earlier this year, & has just announced new tour dates in November:

http://home.wanadoo.nl/hvandenberk/

Another good info site here:

http://www.hillarby.freeserve.co.uk/

 

thanx for your help, Ill but a few of the albums mentioned at the weekend

 

Yo sticky

 

where's everybody been? I'm 40 and been listening to Jm for 23 or so years.

btw grace and danger is a good start

 

Snap me too

 

well I,m 40 ish and if it was'nt for listening too Classic FM the other day I'd still be none the wiser

 

codgers

hehehe

(its rare I get to call someone that, so Im enjoying it!)

 

O.k. I,ve now got 4 albums, love all the ballards not so sure of the more up tempo stuff......can you recommend a good well recorded live album
thanx chaps.

 

What did you get Ya?

Foundations is pretty good - and a little 'softer'. Finishes with a superb version of Over the Rainbow.

 

Hi I got these few

1.Solid Air Remastered
2.Could'nt Love You More
3.on cobbles
4.Late night john

love them all.....no 2 is my fav,open to other recommendations

As a matter of interest I,ve also "Discovered" Martin Simpson bramble briar
& Rightousness & humility very enjoyable

other end of the spectrum ...... just got a Peter Frampton Remaster bloody brill

 

grace and dangers good - or it was the last time i listened to it.