Search - John Martyn :: Inside Out

Inside Out

Martin Vallner | Norrköping, Sweden | 01/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Martyn's most experimental record to date and the best record if you want to hear the many nuances and genres that influence his music. In the beginning of the 70's Martyn became more sophisticated and experimental with each record as he developed both creatively and musically. In comparison to previous albums, "Inside Out" is (in my opinion) an artistically peak. In the liner notes Martyn describes "Inside Out" as "everything I ever wanted to do in music... it's my inside coming out".



He sings with total commitment and his phrasing matches the persona of each song in an excellent way. His characteristic slur varies between mellow and sensitive (Fine Lines and Ways to Cry), rough and powerful (Look In) and obsessed and tormented (So much in love with you). He exorcises his demons in the echoplex-driven "outside in" and combines the echoplex and his voice to reach new highs on the splendid "Make no mistake". Martyn is an unique artist worthy of a little more recognition and "Inside Out" is worth checking out whether you are a JM fan or not. He has done a lot of different and equally great albums, but he never made a better one.

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