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I love the general insanity and on-the-brink tensions of Get Happy!, Trust, and Imperial Bedroom. They're dark, paranoid, creepy, and completely appropriate. No one writes songs about adultery as well as Costello. |
I would love to hear your thoughts on John Martyn JJJ.
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INT. JAYJAMJAH's Man Cave - Late Night 11:30pm EST Our hero sits in his favorite chair finishes his third glass of Jameson's Irish Whiskey and puffs away on the Macanudo Maduro that has captivated his palette for weeks on end. When Suddenly Inspiration hits him via shuffle mode on the Itunes player. JAYJAMJAH (to self) Solid Air, that's the one And indeed it was, It was a better James Taylor album then any Baby James ever released. Solid Air was the best John Martyn album end to end and the one he would put in the hoper for this introspective foray. And now... John Martyn: Solid Air http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA240_.jpg John Martyn is older then me, nearly a decade older. Solid Air, released in 1973, was his fourth solo studio effort and the first to fully encorporate his love for jazz music into the acoustic heavy sound that had become hsi trade mark especially following the critically hailed "Bless the Weather" in 1971. This album is a very appropriate choice to follow the Nick Drake selection. In fact Martyn and Drake were close friends and this album was dedicated to the recently passed singer\songwriter. The long suffering depression that characterized Nick Drake's tragic existence is given a direct nod in the very ethereal title track. This album runs "Over the Hill" with a stunning little country rock number and brings you back down with the hypnotic and rhythmic "Don't Want to Know". If John Martyn is going to be criticized it's like for his inconsistency and lack of a seminal album that casual, hard core fans and critics can agree on. Solid Air is not that album, nor is it supposed to be, but it could easily serve that purpose given the chance. This is enthusiastic music done tactfully without sacrificing passion in the least. So many songs on this album are such epic and creative compositions, and they move back and forth stylistically within the realm of Folk Jazz Martyn has taken the time to create. Nearly two years after his last album it's 33 minutes of overlooked excellence. "Dreams by the Sea" is an absurdly good song. The fact the it is sandwiched by the competitively good but completely contrasting "Go Down Easy" and "May You Never" so smoothly is an example of what good song writing does. http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/778/jm68ri8.jpg Find time to find this album and give it a spin, then give it a few more and you'll see what I mean. Fade to Black... Fade In INT. Mancave - Suns first rays just past 7 AM Still sitting in his chair, laptop on lap he awakes realizing he has slept in the chair again, he is old, but John Martyn is still older. |
Nice review but I am starting to think that 'Bless The Weather' is even better than this album.
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You would not be alone, it's the posh pick among everyone I know who considers them self a fan. I was originally going to do that one, but it just never felt good, then I heard the solid air album one night and really connected with it.
What other Martyn do you own? |
Serendipity
Solid Air Bless The Weather Glasgow Walker London Conversation On The Cobbles One World Stormbringer Sweet Little Mysteries As you quite rightly say. He has never made one completely outstanding album but EVERY album has at least 3 or 4 absolute beauties on there. I'm a big big fan. |
I bought On the Cobbles shortly after you mentioned reviewing an album. Pin pointing the right one as I said was very tough. A lot of times I get bored with an entire side of the music that makes it tough to do a review you enjoy and that covers the music for those who know it and those who don't.
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