Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of this classic Folk album. Music On Vinyl.

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

Remastered reissue of the 1971 album features the 10 original tracks plus the 7 bonus tracks 'Walk On The Water' (take 3/previously unreleased), 'Bless The Weather' (take 4/previously unreleased), 'Back Down The River' (take 1/previously unreleased), 'Go Easy' (take 1/previously unreleased), 'Glistening Glyndebourne' (take 2/previously unreleased), 'Head & Heart' & 'May You Never'. Universal. 2005.

Compiled, with John Martyn's blessing, by John Hillarby from the official John Martyn website and with sleeve notes by Record Collector's Daryl Easlea, John's landmark album from 1973 has now been digitally remastered and expanded into a 2CD set.

Disc One contains the original album, considered by many to be his best album, digitally remastered and sounding better than ever.

Disc Two contains 12 previously unreleased out-takes, 3 live tracks and the 7-inch single version of May You Never.

John Martyn's classic album from 1977 has now been Digitally Remastered and is available as a 2CD Deluxe Edition. This new remastered Deluxe Edition of One World is augmented by a disc of bonus material, including five One World numbers recorded live at Regent's Park in the summer of 1978. To round the package off, there are alternate versions and demos of the album tracks, including the sought after out-take Black Man At The Shoulder, a version of Big Muff with drums and an instrumental version of the album's highlight, Small Hours. Although Bless The Weather set his 70s template and Solid Air was his first masterpiece, ONE WORLD is arguably John Martyn's most important album. Released in November 1977 at the height of punk, it was his first new material for nearly three years. Its themes strike a universal chord; matters of love, life, friendship, ecology and dancing abound. The mood of the album remains resolutely upbeat, through a wash of late night effects and instrumentation. Recorded in English countryside, the natural ambience of the settings of the sessions spills over into the work. Bonus CD tracks, 'Certain Surprise', 'Couldn't Love You More', 'One World', Dealer', & 'Small Hours', recorded live in the summer of 1978 at Regents Park & ten out-takes, 'Black Man At The Shoulder', 'Dealer' (First Alternate Take), 'One World' (Alternate Version), 'Smiling Stranger' (Instrumental), 'Big Muff' (Alternate Version With Drums), 'Certain Surprise' (Alternate Version), 'Dancing' (Alternate Version), 'Big Muff' (Drum Machine Version), 'Dealer' (Second Alternate Version), & 'Small Hours' (Instrumental Version), from the original recording sessions. Universal. 2004.

John Martyn, Ain't No Saint

CD edition of the British Folk singer/songwriter's landmark 1973 album. Solid Air has long since been considered by many to be his best album. John Martyn began as a folksy minstrel but seemed drawn to experimental, free form improvisation. Solid Air is where John Martyn's love affair with effects and echoplex became serious. The title track, dedicated to his close friend Nick Drake, became a eulogy, while the breezy "Over The Hill"--one of the greatest songs ever written about a train journey--is a feathery delight. "May You Never" and "Don't Want To Know" continued the simple, stoned ballad approach, although it is his interpretation of Skip James' "I'd Rather Be The Devil," totally reshaped with hypnotic shifts, tidal echoes, and a slurred growl, which broods over the whole album. A record that remains Martyn's youthful zenith.