---

John's Diary 2000s

"Every record I've made - bad, good, or indifferent - is totally autobiographical. I can look back when I hear a record and recall exactly what was going on. That's how I write. That's the only way I can write ! Some people keep diaries, I make records."

John started the new millennium with a new album Glasgow Walker and a tour of Italy and the United Kingdom.

---

Classics		Glasgow Walker		Live '91
Patterns In The Rain		Germany 1986		Kendal 1986
Sweet Certain Surprise		Live At The Bottom Line 1983		Live In Milan 1979
And Live		Late Night John		On The Cobbles
Mad Dog Days		Live In Nottingham 1976		On Air
The New York Session		Live At The Cambridge Folk Festival 1985		Live At Leeds And More
Solid Air - Classics Revisited		Live At The Town And Country Club 1986		In Session
The John Martyn Story		The Battle of Medway		BBC Live In Concert
Live At the Roundhouse		The Simmer Dim		The July Wakes
Ain't No Saint		One World Sampler		May You Never

---

Classics

Artful strike again with yet another compilation of John's years on the Permanent Label. Released on March 27th 2000 in anticipation of the release of Glasgow Walker. Best left alone in favour other albums.

---

Glasgow Walker

1. So Sweet (J. Martyn)
2. Wildflower (J. Martyn)
3. The Field Of Play (J. Martyn)
4. Cool In This Life (J. Martyn)
5. Feel So Good (J. Martyn)
6. Cry Me A River (A. Hamilton)
7. Mama T (J. Martyn)
8. Can't Live Without (J. Martyn)
9. The Cat Won't Work Tonight (J. Martyn)
10. You Don't Know What Love Is (D. Raye, G de Paul)

 

John's first new material in four years since the release of And (The Church With One Bell, 1998, is an album of cover songs and an excellent one at that). Glasgow Walker, released on 22nd May 2000, marks a departure for John in that it is the first album he has written on a keyboard instead of his trusty guitar. "Phil Collins suggested I should buy this certain type of keyboard (Korg Trinity) which he uses and that's why it's taken me three years to make the album. I had to spend eighteen months learning how to get a reasonable sound out of it. I still can't really play it." The album was remixed with additions from the Glasgow Gangster Funk Boys and later on Kathryn Williams added vocals which work very well on Can't Live Without. John's favourite song on the album is Wildflower, "That's real heart on the sleeve stuff. You can't mistake the emotion in that one." John prefers writing love songs and says "They come easily to me. I don't know why, it's not as if I am an abnormally loving person. I'm an incurable romantic and that can be uncomfortable in these troubled an cynical times. But I am proud of it and I am not going to change now."

One of the standout songs on the album is So Sweet. The song is about a friend of John's who packed in her relationship with her boyfriend, and said how sweet it was to be free. John asked her if she found it painful, and she replied "Yeah, but sweet." The working title for this song was 'African' not surprising given the strong African influence in the song. The funky Mama T is a song dedicated to his girlfriend, Theresa, or Mama T Razor, as she becomes known in the song. Perhaps John's best vocal performance on the album comes last with You Don't Know What Love Is. "Mostly I give my singing seven and a half out of ten," John says modestly. "But about once every three years of so you hit nine and a half. And when it happens you never really know why it happens." This song was recorded by John at the request of Anthony Minghella for his film The Talented Mr. Ripley and also appeared on the soundtrack album to the film. The Cat Won't Work Tonight is not a love song. "The guy that was producing the record was wondering why the f*** didn't I get on and do some work. So I started thinking about the word work and who works and who doesn't. It's so obscure nobody will understand it at all. I like the milk bottle solo," laughs John. "It knocks all the other milk bottle solos into a cocked hat, really. It's world class milk bottling." One song that did not make it on to the album was Sergeant Sergeant. This is a song which features lyrics about many of John's friends. John has performed the song live on one or two occasions and it proved popular with fans - lets hope it appears at some stage in the future. This is the first album to feature the musicianship of world renowned Chapman Stick player, Jim Lampi, who has played in John's band for a number of years. Take a look at the Jim Lampi interview in which Jim demonstrates the versatility of the Chapman Stick.

"Martyn, great Brit blues voice and legendary, if now retired, piss-head, produces his first new gear in four years, some 30 years since his debut. It confirms his status as a bunch of bearded brilliance. Stand out tracks include So Sweet and the hypnotic Field of Play. He also rescues Julie London's Cry Me A River from lame cover version hell. Above all else it's the voice. Very peaty."
**** Four stars from the Daily Mirror

"The first three songs are sensationally good.........The Field of Play - a lovely, wistful melody, a roll of drums, and a refrain that says 'time may break your heart, but your love will carry on'. In the hands of any modern R 'n' B singer you care to mention, this would have been pure saccharine, but Martyn keeps it not too sweet with his gruff vocals, airy production and musicians who, like him, come from the point where jazz and blues meet folk."
**** Four stars from the Mail on Sunday

"He's writing now as well as he did in his 1970's heyday when albums like Stormbringer, Bless The Weather and Solid Air established his reputation as one of the most distinctive talents to emerge from the late 1960's electric-folk scene."
The Sunday Times

For his first collection of new songs in four years, Our Man With The Holy Holey Voice is much to be praised for having opted to tread certainly down a range of bewitching musical paths. Make your choice from a range which includes ambient steppers; moody autumnal strollers; misty eyed Afro-Celtic shoogles, and boastful and slightly ominous bursts of big-city funk nastiness. Moreover, Cry Me A River is transformed into a gem of tectonic-plate jazz, while as further testament to Martyn's sure-footed and organic mastery of genre, the gospel-inflected Feel So Good could have come from Moby's Play album - but only if Moby had grown up in Glasgow's Soo'Side listening to Hamish Imlach and Captain Beefheart. Just as remarkably, Glasgow Walker was created with production assistance from renowned dramatist and emergent Hollywood auteur Anthony Minghella. Then again, it is an understated dramatic corker.
The Glasgow Herald, Mix Supplement

Not quite a legend [A legend if ever there was on! - Ed] but certainly more than just another hoary old vet, John Martyn is currently marking 30 years in 'showbiz' with an extensive UK tour and his first album of new material in some four years. Following 'The Church With One Bell' - 1998's less than inspired [they must have a different copy to mine! - Ed] collection of covers - the just released 'Glasgow Walker' (Independiente) is a hugely impressive thing, and a significant return to form. Since his heady days - late '60s through to the early '80s, when he established his name with a series of inspired and inspiring works of jazz and blues-informed folk and rock (though such a glib overview really doesn't do him justice) - Martyn's life and career have vacillated somewhat. Through everything, however - the musical highs and alcohol-ravaged lows - a sense of driven artistry and impassioned spirit have remained constant.

Which is why it's so heartening to report 'Glasgow Walker' such a fine record. Distinguished by his casually affecting and lugubriously slurred vocals, it is a work of beautiful melancholy and doughty romance. With eight originals and two similarly these covers (including a smartly reinvented 'Cry Me A River'), the mood is tender and emotive, the sound slowed and snappy, dark and brooding. Evidencing, too, a sublte under-tow of eloquent languor, it aches and smoulders, nags and inveigles. If recent years have seen Martyn perhaps a little too content to rest on his reputation, this new work shows him very much back, and in control.
Time Out Magazine

John Martyn is still a subtle storm to be reckoned with. Martyn is best when he aches:' So Sweet' is as catchy as Westlife.
Around midnight, two bottles of red wine to the wind, this probably sounds like the greatest music on earth. It's not a bad listen sober either.
John Aizelwood - Q magazine

This is probably his most assured album in a decade, a moving heart-on-sleeve affair that finds him in fine voice. Martyn has never sounded as Tender as on 'Wildflower' or 'Mama T' a warmth missing from recent offerings. The only two non-originals, 'Cry Me A River' and 'You Don't Know What Love Is' (the latter from the film The Talented Mr. Ripley) reaffirm Martyn's gift as an interpretive singer, that tattered, battered old voice bringing a very real personal dimension to these timeless standards.
The Birmingham Post

His curiously gruff and silky voice is still capable of magic, he sounds on tip top form here. The Scot seems to have re-found his song writing chops, with the opening 'So Sweet' ranking among his best work. Indeed, as a whole, 'Glasgow Walker' goes some distance to making up for the various disappointments of the past two decades.
Clark Collis - The Daily Telegraph

Martyn has produced a whole succession of excellent albums, and since his switch to Independiente from Island he has undergone something of a resurgence. 'Glasgow Walker' is his first album of new songs in four years and the romance is still there. Martyn has written some fabulous songs in his time, and this new collection has those mournful often doleful Martyn tones pleading the case for romanticism. I hope he never stops.
The Thurrock, Grays & Lakeside Post

For 30 years now John Martyn's gruff, romantic Scottish burr has been taking the lead on some of the most fantastic records ever made. Simultaneously gritty and sweet, slurred yet articulate, sensual but earthy, he say's more with the breaths between phrases than most singers can convey in an entire album. It's a reaffirmation of everything he's best at - beautiful, melancholic songs sung in inimitably tender style.
James Elliott - Ulster News Letter

Glasgow Walker is an album of beautiful, melancholic songs with emotive and rich lyrics perfectly suited to Martyn's tender voice.
Evening courier - Halifax

His first LP of New songs since 1996's 'And' is a return to what he does Best. Here he's In that blissful state again and 'Glasgow Walker' is a collection of Sublime love songs. 'Can't Live Without' finds him dueting with the fine young singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams. But the best is kept until last on 'You Don't Know What Love Is', a slow, late-night blues which produces his most impressive vocal performance on the record.
Nigel Williamson - Uncut

His work has almost always met the most exacting standards. 'Glasgow Walker' is no different. 'Can't Live Without', which features a haunting vocal by Kathryn Williams, recalls the feel of his superb cover of Portishead's 'Glory Box'. Martyn's Ianguorous vocal all drip with an irresistible Sensuality. With 'Glasgow Walker' John Martyn keeps on keeping on. Long may he stroll.
Niall Stanage - Hot Press

Lyrics

---

Live '91

CD1

1. Easy Blues (Morton)
2. May You Never (J. Martyn)
3. The Dealer (J. Martyn)
4. Outside In (J. Martyn)
5. Deny This Love (J. Martyn)
6. Fisherman's Dream (J. Martyn)
7. Big Muff (J. Martyn)
8. Angeline (J. Martyn)
9. Sweet Little Mystery (J. Martyn)
10. The River (J. Martyn)
11. The Apprentice (J. Martyn)

CD2

1. John Wayne (J. Martyn)
2. Look At The Girl (J. Martyn)
3. Lookin' On (J. Martyn)
4. One World (J. Martyn)
5. Cooltide (J. Martyn)
6. Never Let Me Go (J. Martyn)
7. Over The Rainbow (J. Martyn)
8. Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
9. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
10. Man In The Station (J. Martyn)

Released on 31st July 2000 by Eagle Records, this is a compilation of songs from live albums. Live At Leeds, Live and Live At Bristol. The album also has a live version of Over The Rainbow which was originally released by Voiceprint as a Fan Club only CD

---

The New York Session

1. Pre-broadcast and Introduction
2. Excuse Me Mister (B. Harper)
3. Interview
4. She's A Lover/Solid Air (J. Martyn)
5. Interview
6. Couldn't Love You More (start) (J. Martyn)
7. Couldn't Love You More (finish) (J. Martyn)
8. Interview Conclusion

 

Released on 23rd November 2000 by Voiceprint this is an unusual and fun recording of a radio broadcast in 1998. A low price release and although the sound quality is far from that of a studio recording the original very poor quality master tape has been subjected to much work to produce this release. To put the release in the right context John and the band had been touring the USA promoting The Church With One Bell album. They were very short on sleep and exhausted with all the travelling. They arrived in New York at Radio WFUV on 15th June 1998 and were met by a presenter in a neat and tidy brightly coloured suit. The presenter's suit was colour co-ordinated with his car, he was very enthusiastic and bumptious.

The studio resembled a broom cupboard! Arran Ahmun and his drum kit, Spencer Cozens and his synthesizers, Jim Lampi and the Chapman Stick and John were all squeezed into the room. John went on air with his back pressed up against the wall in the tiny studio and an amplifier that didn't want to behave. Unfortunately, for the presenter, John was in playful mood....

The CD gives an insight into life on the road, John's quick wit and also contains some good music, the first time in fact that She's A Lover segued in to Solid Air has been available to fans on CD.

---

Patterns In The Rain

CD1 Studio

1. Jack The Lad (J. Martyn)
2. Patterns In The Rain (F.Patterson)
3. Sunday's Child (J. Martyn)
4. Live On Love (J. Martyn)
5. Cooltide (J. Martyn)
6. The Cure (J. Martyn)
7. Send Me One Line (J. Martyn)
8. She's A Lover (J. Martyn)
9. Certain Surprise (J. Martyn)
10. Dancing (J. Martyn)
11. Hole In The Rain (J. Martyn) 

CD2 Live

1. Sapphire (J. Martyn)
2. Sweet Little Mystery (J. Martyn)
3. Don't Want To Know (J. Martyn)
4. One World (J. Martyn)
5. John Wayne (J. Martyn)
6. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
7. May You Never (J. Martyn)
8. Angeline (J. Martyn)
9. Fisherman's Dream (J. Martyn)
10. Deny This Love (J. Martyn)

A very well presented double CD of Live and Studio recordings from Mooncrest Records released on 19th March 2001. Material is taken from the Permanent years with some additional songs from Another World, Snooo, Philentropy, Live At Leeds and Live At Bristol 1991. Unfortunately nothing new here for the fans, even the liner notes are taken from the Piece By Piece tour programme with a few words added on the end!

---

Germany 1986 (with Danny Thompson)

1. One Day Without You (J. Martyn)
2. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
3. Sweet Little Mystery (J. Martyn)
4. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
5. Beverley (J. Martyn)
6. Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
7. Dealer (J. Martyn)
8. Outside In (J. Martyn)
9. One World (J. Martyn)
10. I'd Rather Be The Devil (J. Martyn)
11. Angeline (J.Martyn)

Released on 22nd May 2001 Live in Germany 1986 (OW118CD) and also Kendal 1986 were first available from the merchandise stall on the Sunshine Boys Tour and subsequently from the shops. An excellent release from Voiceprint Records. An 8 page booklet with photographs of John and Danny taken during their 1986 Tour from which this recording is taken and also some nice liner notes. Very nicely presented and a very good concert. John and Danny are in great form with some tremendous musicianship and John's vocals are brilliant. Some superb bowing from Danny on Beverley and a rousing version of I'd Rather Be The Devil. A valuable addition to your John Martyn collection whether you were first introduced to John's music in the 1970s or are a more recent fan.

---

The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal 1986
(with Danny Thompson and Arran Ahmun)

1. One Day Without You (J. Martyn)
2. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
3. Sweet Little Mystery (J. Martyn)
4. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
5. Beverley (J. Martyn)
6. Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
7. Dealer (J. Martyn)
8. Outside In (J. Martyn)
9. Spencer The Rover (traditional arranged J. Martyn)
10. The Easy Blues (Morton)
11. Man In The Station (J.Martyn)
12. Angeline (J.Martyn)
13. Lookin' On (J.Martyn)
14. Johnny Too Bad (Slickers)
15. One World (J.Martyn)
16. May You Never (J.Martyn)
17. Over The Hill (J.Martyn)

Also released on 22nd May 2001 and another excellent release from Voiceprint Records (OW115CD) to partner Germany 1986. Arran Ahmun joins John and Danny for this gig which was one of his first gigs with John since which he has become the mainstay of John's band and one of the most talented and professional drummers in the world today. The songs are not as long as on the Germany release but there are more of them! A great version of Johnny Too Bad and Lookin' On which are given the 'acoustic treatment' in total contrast to the original versions on Grace and Danger. Arran brings a different dimension to the concert. Another 8 page booklet with liner notes and some great period photographs from Ben Whitney make this a very nice release.

---

Live At The Town And Country Club 1986

1. Mad Dog Days (J. Martyn)
2. Angeline (J. Martyn)
3. The Apprentice (J. Martyn)
4. May You Never (J. Martyn)
5. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
6. Deny This Love (J. Martyn)
7. Send Me One Line (J. Martyn)
8. John Wayne (J. Martyn)
9. Dealer (J. Martyn)
10. Johnny Too Bad (Slickers)
11. Over The Rainbow (Arlen/Harburg)
12. Sweet Little Mystery (J.Martyn)

Released on August 13th 2001 this is the second release in the Collectors Series (OW109CD) from Voiceprint. A good set of 12 songs from John and his unusually large band, 9 songs of which were previously released as Foundations. This release is true to the actual setlist and includes 3 songs not previously on the album release; Solid Air, Dealer and Sweet Little Mystery.

---

Sweet Certain Surprise

1. Head and Heart (J. Martyn)
2. Man In The Station (J. Martyn)
3. My Baby Girl (J. Martyn)
4. Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
5. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
6. Seven Black Roses  (J. Martyn)
7. Certain Surprise (J. Martyn)
8. Couldn't Love You More (J. Martyn)
9. Over The Hill (J. Martyn)
10. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
11. The Easy Blues (J. Martyn)
12. One Day Without You (J.Martyn)
13. Big Muff 
14. Sweet Little Mystery (J.Martyn)
15. May You Never (J.Martyn)
16. Spencer The Rover (J.Martyn)

Released on 15th October 2001 Sweet Certain Surprise (OW119CD) was originally a commercial bootleg limited to 500 copies and features live acoustic material from 1977 in the USA and with John's band in 1981 in London.

The sound quality has been greatly improved and there are two bonus songs not on the original bootleg, The Easy Blues and One Day Without You. Some great artwork by Steve Lee of Zeit Artwork works very well. The artwork for the original bootleg is shown to the left and the track listing is the same as that above with the exception of tracks 11 and 12 which do not feature on the bootleg. Many of the songs are also incorrectly titled.

John had spent most of 1976 on sabbatical in Jamaica and returned to playing live early in 1977. This is one of his first gigs back on the road and he is enjoying himself! There is an incredible instrumental of Seven Black Roses, which demonstrates John's dexterity as a guitar virtuoso. John describes this as his Visual Guitar Solo, which he first performed in Clubs in the 1960s. Live 1970s material is a little scarce and so this release is well worth checking out.

---

Live At The Bottom Line 1983

1. Glorious Fool (J. Martyn)
2. Could've Been Me  (J. Martyn)
3. Root Love (J. Martyn)
4. Hiss On The Tape (J. Martyn)
5. Sweet Little Mystery (J. Martyn)
6. Lookin' On (J. Martyn)
7. Didn't Do That (J. Martyn)
8. Couldn't Love You More (J. Martyn)
9. I'd Rather Be The Devil (James)
10. Johnny Too Bad (J. Martyn)
11. Anna (J. Martyn / M. Norton)

Released on November 19th 2001 this is a nice release which documents John's early 1980s fresh electric band sound and features Jeff Allen on drums and Alan Thomson playing bass and keyboards.

Eleven songs in total with perhaps the most interesting being a live rendition of Anna. Anna was written by John as the theme tune to the Australian film In Search Of Anna which was released in 1978. The song was released in Australia as a single but only sold in very small numbers and is extremely rare. This is the first time that a live version of Anna (as John titles the song) has become available on general release.

---

Live In Milan 1979

CD1

1. Big Muff  (J. Martyn/ L. Perry)
2. Certain Surprise  (J. Martyn)
3. Couldn't Love You More (J. Martyn)
4. One Day Without You  (J. Martyn)
5. Over The Hill  (J. Martyn)
6. Outside In (J. Martyn)
7. Spencer The Rover (J. Martyn)

CD2

1. One World (J. Martyn)
2. The Easy Blues  ( Morton)
3. Seven Black Roses (J. Martyn)
4. Beverley (J. Martyn)
5. Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
6. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
7. May You Never (J. Martyn)
8. Singin' In The Rain (Brown/ Freed)
9. I'd Rather Be The Devil (part)  (James)
10. Solid Air  (J. Martyn)
11. I'd Rather Be The Devil (James)
12. Stay/ Anna/ Small Hours (M. Williams/ J.Martyn / M. Norton/ J. Martyn)

Released on 27th May 2002. A tremendous solo gig , for those of you who didn't see John playing live in the 1970s here's what you missed and for the lucky ones who did, a reminder of the John Martyn one-man-orchestra, of spliff-filled auditoriums and a great vibe!

"The real treats are  "Outside In", "One World" and "Big Muff", where John snakes his acoustic guitar through delays, wah wah and fuzzboxes to produce lush, billowing soundscapes. Martyn must be one of the most underrated and individual guitar stylists this country has produced......Live in 1979 is a nice summing up of those years when he was cheerfully demolishing the boundaries between jazz, blues, folk and rock while producing some of the most honest, moving music you're likely to hear. Bless 'im." Peter Marsh for the BBC.

---

Solid Air - Classics Revisited

CD1

CD2

1. Couldn't Love You More (J. Martyn)
2. Sweet Little Mystery  ( J.Martyn)
3. Over The Hill  (J. Martyn)
4. May You Never (J. Martyn)
5. Angeline (J. Martyn)
6. Man In The Station  (J. Martyn)
7. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
8. Bless The Weather (J.Martyn)
9. Johnny Too Bad   (Bailey/Beckford/Crooks/Wilson additional J. Martyn)
10. Sapphire  (J. Martyn)
11. Fisherman's Dream  (J. Martyn)
12. Big Muff ( J.Martyn /L. Perry)
13. The Easy Blues (Morton)
14. Dealer (J.Martyn)

Published 2002. Yawn! Another unattractive compilation of Permanent Records / Artful material taken from The Apprentice, No Little Boy, Couldn't Love You More and Live. On the Snapper Music label. Nothing new for fans here and best left alone in favour of other more interesting releases.

---

And Live

CD1

CD2

1. Sunshine's Better (J. Martyn)
2. Rock Salt and Nails  ( B.Phillips)
3. Yes We Can  (L.Dorsey)
4. Johnny Too Bad  (Bailey/Beckford/Crooks/Wilson additional J. Martyn)
5. John Wayne (J. Martyn)
6. Serendipity (J. Martyn)
7. Lookin' On  (J. Martyn)
8. Angeline  (J.Martyn)
9. One World (J.Martyn)
10. Over The Rainbow   (Arlen/Harburg)

Released 2003 by Voiceprint, And Live is an excellent release of a live concert recorded in Carlisle in 1996.  John is accompanied by Spencer Cozens on keyboards, Alan Thompson on bass guitar, Karl van den Bossche on drums and percussion, and the late Gerry Underwood on saxophone. There is some excellent guitar work by John and tremendous musicianship throughout. This release features a number of songs from the album And as well as the song Yes We Can. Some very nice artwork by Steve Lee of Zeit Artwork makes excellent use of some fantastic photos by Tim Dickeson. In my opinion this is a fantastic concert and a very good release of a well mastered sound desk recording. Some feedback is evident in the opening few songs but well worth getting hold of this release.

---

Live At The Cambridge Folk Festival 1985

 

1. Johnny Too Bad  (Bailey/Beckford/Crooks/Wilson additional J. Martyn)
2. Sweet Little Mystery  (J. Martyn)
3. Big Muff (J. Martyn/ L.Perry)
4. Solid Air  (J. Martyn)
5. The Easy Blues  (Morton)
6. May You Never (J. Martyn)
7. Mad Dog Day's  (J. Martyn/ A.Thomson)
8. Fisherman's Dream (J.Martyn)
9. Dealer/Outside In (J.Martyn)

Released on 1st December 2003 by Pinnacle Entertainment and licensed from the BBC. A good gig this one and an interesting addition to your collection with Alan Thompson on bass, Dan Cummings on percussion and Foster Patterson on keyboards . John introduces the band, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present to you on percussion, Mr Daniel Cummings. He bangs things all the time, there's no stopping him. On the fretless basso profundo, Mr Alan Thompson. On the basic keyboards of all descriptions banging equally, Mr Foster Patterson." Recorded on 27th July 1985 at the Cambridge Folk Festival and very good sound quality with some editing between songs which is a shame. Nonetheless a very nice release.

---

On The Cobbles

 

1. Baby Come Home (F. Miller)
2. Under My Wing  (J. Martyn)
3. Ghosts (J. Martyn)
4. Back To Marseilles  (J. Martyn)
5. Cobbles  (J. Martyn)
6. My Creator (J. Martyn)
7. One For The Road  (J. Martyn)
8. Go Down Easy (J. Martyn)
9. Walking Home (J. Martyn)
10. Goodnight Irene (H.  Ledbetter/ J.  Lomax)

It was four years since the release of John's last studio album ‘'Glasgow Walker’, John returned with his 22nd studio album entitled ‘'On The Cobbles’ on 26 April 2004 through Independiente.

The new album was recorded at various studios in the UK and US including Woolengrange in Ireland, The Toolshed, Chicago USA, Doon The Cellar, Birkenhead, Swan Yard Studios, London, Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, Hornyold Road Studios, Worcestershire and at The Caliope Recorders, Chicago USA.

Produced and engineered by Jim Tullio and Garry Pollitt, ‘On The Cobbles’ includes collaborations with ex-Verve guitarist Nick McCabe on ‘Walking Home’; fellow label mate in the past on both Go! Discs and Independiente, Paul Weller, who appears on ‘Under My Wing’ playing Wurlitzer, B3 Hammond, acoustic guitar & backing vocals; the legendary Mavis Staples, lead singer of the Staple Singers appears as guest vocalist on final track, ‘Goodnight Irene’.

The instrumentation is predominantly acoustic in nature and the album is very well produced and engineered.

Lyrics

---

Late Night John

1. Ballad Of An Elder Woman (J. Martyn)
2. Fly On Home (J. Martyn)
3. Parcels (performed by John & Beverley Martyn) (J. Martyn)
4. Stormbringer (performed by John & Beverley Martyn) (J. Martyn)
5. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
6. Head And Heart (J. Martyn)
7. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
8. Don't Want To Know (J. Martyn)
9. So Much In Love With You (J. Martyn)
10. You Can Discover (J. Martyn)
11. Call Me Crazy (J. Martyn)
12. Small Hours (J. Martyn)
13. One World (J. Martyn)
14. Lookin' On (J. Martyn)
15. Hurt In Your Heart (J. Martyn)
16. Angeline (J. Martyn)

A budget release from Universal on the Spectrum label available from 24th May 2004. A well thought out song compilation spanning John's Island years aimed at newcomers to John's music and existing fans alike. The artwork lacks imagination but a good listen and exactly what it says on the front cover - Late Night John. Lets hope Island get around to remastering some of John's earlier albums and a few of those unreleased gems that lay hidden in the Island vaults.

---

Mad Dog Days

CD1

CD2

1. One Day Without You (J. Martyn)
2. Outside In (J. Martyn)
3. I'd Rather Be The Devil (J. Martyn)
4. Man In The Station (J. Martyn)
5. My Baby Girl (J. Martyn)
6. Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
7. Over The Hill (J. Martyn)
8. The Easy Blues (J. Martyn)
9. Dealer (J. Martyn)
10. You Can Discover (J. Martyn)
11. Spencer the Rover (J. Martyn)
12. Blackman At Your Shoulder (J. Martyn)

DVD

54 minute interview

A rather pointless release with the exception of the interview DVD filmed in in an Irish pub. Released 7th June 2004.

---

Live In Nottingham 1976

Released on 9th May 2005.

---

Live At Leeds And More

CD1

CD2

1. Big Muff (J. Martyn/ L. Perry)
2. Over The Rainbow (Arlen/Harburg)
3. Yes We Can (Dorsey/Toussaint)
4. Step It Up (J. Martyn)
5. Dealer (J. Martyn)
6. Beverley (J. Martyn)
7. Lookin' On (J. Martyn)
8. The River (J. Martyn)
9. Root Love (J. Martyn)
10. Anna (J. Martyn)

Released on 30th January 2006.  A superfluous compilation.

---

On Air

1. The Easy Blues (Incorrectly titled Jell Roll Blues) (J. Martyn)
2. MEDLEY The Message (Incorrectly titled Mhairi's Wedding)/Make No Mistake/Bless The Weather (J. Martyn)
3. You Can Discover (J. Martyn)
4. Go Down Easy (J. Martyn)
5. Solid Air (J. Martyn)
6. Seven Black Roses (J. Martyn)
7. I'd Rather Be The Devil (J. Martyn)

 

Released 8th May 2006.

---

The John Martyn Story

CD1

1. Fairy Tale Lullaby (J. Martyn)
2. Seven Black Roses (J. Martyn)
3. John The Baptist (J. Martyn)
4. Woodstock (J. Martyn) 
5. Primrose Hill (J. Martyn) 
6. Parcels (J. Martyn) 
7. Bless The Weather (J. Martyn) 
8. Head and Heart (J. Martyn) 
9. Glistening Glyndebourne (J. Martyn) 
10. May You Never (J. Martyn) 
11. Solid Air (J. Martyn) 
12. Don't Want To Know (J. Martyn)
13. Man In The Station (J. Martyn) 
14. Fine Lines (J. Martyn) 
15. Ways To Cry (J. Martyn) 
16. Root Love (J. Martyn) 
17. You Can Discover (J. Martyn) 
18. Spencer The Rover (J. Martyn)

CD2

1. Smiling Stranger (J. Martyn) 
2. One World (J. Martyn) 
3. Couldn't Love You More (J. Martyn) 
4. Small Hours (J. Martyn) 
5. Some People Are Crazy (J. Martyn) 
6. Johnny Too Bad (Bailey/Beckford/Crooks/Wilson additional J. Martyn)
7. Hurt In Your Heart (J. Martyn)
8. Sweet Little Mystery (J. Martyn) 
9. Fisherman's Dream (J. Martyn) 
10. Over The Rainbow (J. Martyn) 
11. Serendipity (J. Martyn) 
12. Angeline (J. Martyn) 
13. Send Me One Line (J. Martyn) 
14. Hole In The Rain (J. Martyn) 
15. Sunshine's Better (J. Martyn)
16. The Downward Pull of Human Nature (J. Martyn)

Released on 2nd May 2006 a 2CD release which tracks John's career in hardback book format. Includes a brief career description by Daryl Easlea and an interesting timeline. A well illustrated and put together package for the newcomer to John's music.

---

One World Label Sampler

1. Solid Air
2. One For The Road
3. Seven Black Roses
4. Outside In
5. Could've Been Me
6. Hung Up
7. Angeline
8. May You Never
9. Dealer
10. Cooltide
11. Big Muff
12. Suzanne
13. Step It Up
14. Amsterdam (previuosly unreleased live version)

Sampler CD with songs from all the One World Label CDs up to Live In Nottingham. Released by Voiceprint on 6th NOvember 2006. The last song Amsterdam is previously unreleased and was taken from a concert at The Apollo Theatre, Oxford on 10th October 1982, one of the concerts used for the Philentropy release in 1983.

---

In Session At The BBC
 

1. Devil Get My Woman (J. Martyn)
2. Inside (J. Martyn)‘Bob Harris’ - Recorded 23.5.73. Transmitted 4.6.73.
3. Beverley/Make No Mistake (J. Martyn)
4. May You Never (J. Martyn)
5. Fine Lines (J. Martyn)
6. Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail (Traditional arranged by J. Martyn)
   ‘Bob Harris’ - Recorded 10.10.73. Transmitted 15.10.73.
7. One Day (Without You) (J. Martyn)
8. Discover The Lover (J. Martyn)
9. My Baby Girl (J. Martyn)
10. The Message (J. Martyn)
11. Spencer The Rover (J. Martyn)
    ‘John Peel’ - Recorded 7.1.75. Transmitted 13.1.75.
12. May You Never (J. Martyn)
13. Certain Surprise/Couldn’t Love You More (J. Martyn)
14. Over The Hill (J. Martyn)
15. One Day (Without You) (J. Martyn)
    ‘John Peel’ - Recorded 18.1.77. Transmitted 4.2.77.
16. Small Hours (J. Martyn)
    ‘John Peel’ - Recorded 9.1.78. Transmitted 16.1.78.

Released 21st August 2006. Superb release from Universal Music featuring some tremendous performances from the BBC archives. Sound quality is excellent, a must have John Martyn release marred only by the poor quality and unimaginative artwork!

---

Sixty Minutes With

1. Bless The Weather
2. Couldn't Love You More
3. Cooltide 
4. One World
5. Over The Hill
6. Patterns in the Rain
7. A Little Strange
8. Sweet Little Mystery
9. May You Never
10. Solid Air
11. Big Muff

Released 16th April 2007. An introduction to John for newcomers but otherwise a superfluous compilation.

---

BBC Live In Concert

CD1

1. Head And Heart (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 30/12/71)
2. Singin' In The Rain (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 30/12/71)
3. Bless The Weather (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 30/12/71)
4. Outside In (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 30/12/71)
5. Outside In (BBC Live In Concert - Hippodrome Golders Green 13/10/77)
6. Spencer The Rover (BBC Live In Concert - Hippodrome Golders Green 13/10/77)
7. Dealer (BBC Live In Concert - Hippodrome Golders Green 13/10/77)

CD2

1. Big Muff (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 25/3/81)
2. Some People Are Crazy (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 25/3/81)
3. Grace And Danger (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 25/3/81)
4. Save Some (For Me) (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 25/3/81)
5. Johnny Too Bad (BBC Live In Concert - Paris Theatre 25/3/81)

Released 4th June 2007.

---

Live at The Roundhouse

CD1

1. Cooltide
2. Glorious Fool
3. Couldn’t Love You More
4. Lookin’ On
5. Dreams By The Sea
6. The Man In The Station
7. Over The Hill

CD2

1. Don’t Want To Know
2. May You Never
3. The Easy Blues/Gentle Blues
4. I’d Rather Be The Devil
5. Go Down Easy
6. Solid Air
7. Rock, Salt And Nails
8. Never Let Me Go

Recorded at The Roundhouse, London, on Saturday 3rd February 2007 during John's Solid Air 2007 tour.

---

The Battle of Medway
 

1. Outside In 
2. The Easy Blues 
3. Don’t Want To Know 
4. May You Never 
5. Singin' In The Rain 
6. Head And Heart 
7. Seven Black Roses 
8. Sugar Lump 
9. I’d Rather Be The Devil

 

Recorded on 17th July 1973, in ambient stereo by club organiser Geoff Harden at Medway, Kent, this recording was released by Hux Records on 1st November 2007. Sound quality is not ideal but a very enjoyable solo performance from John.

---

The Simmer Dim

1. Over the Hill 
2. Spencer the Rover 
3. One World 
4. Anna
5. One Day Without You
6. The Easy Blues 
7. Couldn't Love You More 
8. Big Muff 
9. Certain Surprise 
10. Dealer 
11. Seven Black Roses
12. Outside In 
13. May You Never

Released by Voiceprint in 2008 this great solo gig recorded at The Lerwick Folk Club, Shetland Islands in August 1980. Sound quality could be better but this is more than made up for by the great performance from John and banter with the audience at this intimate venue.

---

Ain't No Saint - Forty Years of John Martyn Box Set

CD1

1. Fairy Tales Lullaby
2. Sing A Song Of Summer
3. Stormbringer
4. Tree Green
5. Head And Heart
6. In The Evening (Previously Unreleased)
7. Solid Air
8. Keep On (Previously Unreleased)
9. The Glory Of Love
10. Go Down Easy
11. Ain't No Saint Instrumental (Previously Unreleased)
12. Fine Lines
13. Eight More Miles (Previously Unreleased)
14. Call Me Crazy
15. Black Man At The Shoulder (Previously Unreleased)
16. All For The Love Of You (Previously Unreleased)
17. Working It Out (Previously Unreleased)
18. Couldn't Love You More

CD2 

1. Advertisment (Previously Unreleased)
2. Small Hours
3. Anna (Previously Unreleased)
4. Lookin' On
5. Amsterdam
6. Hung Up
7. Acid Rain
8. Who Believes In Angels
9. The Apprentice
10. Hole In The Rain
11. One World
12. Sunday's Child
13. Carmine
14. The Sky Is Crying
15. So Sweet
16. Back To Marseilles

CD3 

1. Bless The Weather (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
2. Make No Mistake (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
3. So Much In Love With You (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
4. Spencer The Rover (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
5. My Baby Girl (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
6. You Can Discover (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
7. Solid Air (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
8. I'd Rather Be The Devil (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
9. Outside In (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
10. Advertisment (Previously Unreleased)
11. Big Muff (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
12. One Day Without You (Previously Unreleased Live Version)

CD4

1. Dealer (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
2. Smiling Stranger (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
3. Johnny Too Bad (BBC A Little Night Music)
4. Hurt In Your Heart (BBC A Little Night Music)
5. John Wayne (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
6. Angeline (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
7. Mad Dog Days (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
8. The Moment (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
9. Fisherman's Dream (Previously Unreleased Live Version)
10. Sweet Little Mystery (BBC Later With Jools Holland)
11. May You Never (BBC Later With Jools Holland)
12. Step It Up (BBC Later With Jools Holland)
13. Sunshine's Better (BBC Radio 1 Andy Kershaw)
14. One For The Road (BBC Later With Jools Holland)
15. Over The Hill (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Show 6th Feb 2008)

A fantastic 4CD box set from Universal Music released on 1st September 2008. Featuring one song from each of John's studio albums plus never heard before out-takes and live material. A MUST have.

Much more than just a retrospective on John's career this is a high value release for fans as the 4CDs are packed with out-takes and previously unavailable live performances. Nearly 60 songs in total carefully mixed and mastered by Paschal Byrne of The Audio Archiving Company sound quality is outstanding.

Further details here, Music Week Article Here Uncut Article Here

---

The July Wakes

CD1

1. Over the Hill 
2. One Day Without You 
3. My Baby Girl 
4. Spencer the Rover 
5. Outside In 
6. The Message 
7. Make No Mistake 
8. Beverley 
9. Bless the Weather 

CD2 

1. May You Never 
2. Solid Air 
3. Easy Blues 
4. Seven Black Roses 
5. I'd Rather Be the Devil 
6. The Easy Blues 
7. Outside In 
8. I'd Rather Be the Devil 

Released by Voiceprint on John's One World label in 2008 is this recording from The Chorley Wakes Festival in 1976. John is accompanied by Danny Thompson on acoustic bass. Sound quality is not ideal but again more than made up for by the stunning performance from John.

---

May You Never, The Very Best Of John Martyn

1. May You Never 
2. Solid Air
3. Bless The Weather
4. Sweet Little Mystery
5. Over The Rainbow 
6. Head And Heart 
7. Don't Want To Know 
8. John The Baptist
9. Over The Hill
10. Spencer The Rover
11. Fairy Tale Lullaby 
12. Singin' In The Rain 
13. Couldn't Love You More
14. Sunshine's Better (Talvin Singh Remix)
15. Small Hours

Compilation by Universal Music released on 23rd March 2009. Accompanied by TV and radio advertising this release charted for over two weeks.