Search - John Martyn :: Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set]

Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set]
John Martyn
Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set]
Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #2

His whisky-grained vocals and alternately sweet, stinging acoustic guitar have made Scottish troubador John Martyn a seductive but sadly overlooked original among British folk performers since his emergence in the late '60...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: John Martyn
Title: Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set]
Members Wishing: 6
Total Copies: 0
Label: MSI:UNIVERSAL/ISLAND
Original Release Date: 5/17/1994
Re-Release Date: 6/1/2004
Album Type: Import
Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop, Rock
Styles: British & Celtic Folk, Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriters, Folk Rock
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPCs: 731452224521, 0731452224521

Synopsis

Amazon.com
His whisky-grained vocals and alternately sweet, stinging acoustic guitar have made Scottish troubador John Martyn a seductive but sadly overlooked original among British folk performers since his emergence in the late '60s. That oversight is answered by this intelligent two-CD anthology of Martyn's rich catalog of albums for Island Records, which document his triple threat as a distinctive guitarist, soulful singer, and compelling writer and interpreter. Martyn's moody legacy includes winsome ("May You Never," covered by Eric Clapton) and harrowing ("Solid Air," his plea to friend Nick Drake) examples of abundant craft, notable for his rich vocals and spare, elegant arrangements featuring Richard Thompson, Danny Thompson, Phil Collins, and other better-known English musicians who savored Martyn's musical gifts.--Sam Sutherland

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CD Reviews

Sweet Honey
R. J MOSS | Alice Springs, Australia | 06/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the place to savour John Martyn's mellifluous music. He has a warm voice, at times, searching at others, celebratory. There's an altogether sumptuous melding of folk and jazz in his phrasing and playing. He was into this blend probably prior to Joni Mitchell, and to my ears, he made a more peruasive, more resolved fusion of the genres. Why people prefer Nic Drake over Martyn is more to do with media hype than talent, I suggest. The domain of the solitary soul was never more eloquently charted than here on this great compilation. Pity,'Grace & Danger', didn't cut with the producers. But 'Sweet Little Mystery', 'Solid Air', and ,'Johnny Too Bad' are in tact and to be savoured like your favourite juice smoothy, through a long straw. An excellent investment!"
Better than...
Martyn | Toulouse France | 09/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came to JM after Clapton, Winwood, et al and he is so much better. The secret is that he is so consistent throughout the phases of his career that are sampled on this album. Even the likes of EC and Bowie have dimples on their pimples, but it seems that JM just keeps on doing the same great stuff over and over. And like Van Morrison, he is less mainstream and therefore seems to not be inflicted with superstar ego ambitions. A career to start to be appreciated..."
Superb introduction to his early career
R. Meldrum | 02/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album charts John Martyn's progress from unreconstructed folkie to his jazz fringed arrangements. His guitar work, which drifts into the background in his later work, is beautifully exposed. His echoplex work is some of the most haunting you will hear. Well worth purchasing."