Released by Universal Music on 28 April 2017 a two CD set celebrating John’s acoustic music.

Thirty five songs in total (including four previously unreleased takes) accompanied by a booklet including sleeve notes and memorabilia. Available here.

Universal Music Press Release

This April sees the release of Head and Heart – The Acoustic John Martyn, a beautiful, 35-track, double CD set, which captures the legendary singer-songwriter at his intimate best.

Thoughtfully compiled, the set comprises key album tracks, from his 1967 debut, London Conversation through to 1977’s One World. The set closes with a version of Patterns In The Rain, recorded live at Island Records 25th birthday party in 1987. Accompanied only by grand piano, it is an unusual and very different performance from John Martyn, highlighting his remarkable vocal talent. In addition to many of his best known songs, the album also features four previously unreleased recordings, including three demo versions of songs recorded at the sessions for 1968’s The Tumbler and the long lost 1971 performance of Bless The Weather for The Old Grey Whistle Test.

The set is made complete with the inclusion of specially commissioned liner notes by respected music writer and author of the Sandy Denny biography, I’ve Always Kept A Unicorn, Mick Houghton.

Singer-songwriter/guitarist John Martyn began his innovative and expansive career at the age of 17, with a style that, at first, drew influence from American blues artists. He eventually moved to London, where he became a regular fixture at Les Cousins, the centre for the local folk scene. He soon caught the attention of Island Records founder Chris Blackwell who made him the first solo white act to join the roster of his then reggae-based label. With his characteristic backslap, acoustic guitar playing and catalogue of timeless songs, John Martyn, who died in 2009, remains an important and influential figure in British folk and rock music.

JOHN MARTYN
HEAD AND HEART – THE ACOUSTIC JOHN MARTYN
28th APRIL 2017
UMC/ISLAND

For further information etc. please contact Dorothy Howe Press & Publicity.

CD1

1. Fairy Tale Lullaby
2. London Conversation
3. Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright
4. She Moved Through The Fair
5. Goin’ Down To Memphis (Previously unreleased)
6. A Day At The Sea (Previously unreleased)
7. Seven Black Roses (Previously unreleased)
8. Woodstock
9. John The Baptist
10. Traffic-Light Lady
11. Parcels
12. New Day
13. Tree Green
14. Go Easy
15. Bless The Weather [BBC Old Grey Whistle Test 18/1/72] (Previously unreleased)
16. Head And Heart
17. Singin’ In The Rain
18. In The Evening

CD2
1. The Glory Of Love
2. Solid Air
3. Over The Hill
4. May You Never
5. Go Down Easy
6. When It’s Dark
7. Fine Lines
8. Ways To Cry
9. Beverley/Make No Mistake [BBC – Bob Harris 15/10/73]
10. One Day Without You [BBC – John Peel 13/1/75]
11. Lay It All Down
12. My Baby Girl [BBC – John Peel 13/1/75]
13. All For The Love Of You
14. Working It Out
15. Spencer The Rover [BBC – John Peel 13/1/75]
16. Certain Surprise/Couldn’t Love You More [BBC – John Peel 4/2/77]
17. Patterns In The Rain [Island Birthday Party 4/7/87]

Catalogue Number: 573 622-2 Island

Compilation and Tape Research by – Joe Black
Project Co-ordination – Joe Black at Hey Joe!
Sleeve Notes – Mick Houghton
Front Cover Illustration and Artwork by – Phil Smee at Waldo’s Design and Dream Emporium
Mastering by – Paschal Byrne at The Audio Archivinf Company, London
Clearance – Daryl Hedge
A&R by – Chris Sparrow
This release is respectuflly dedicated to Beverley, Mhairi, Spencer and Tersa
Hey Joe! would like to thank Carolyn Agger, Andrew Allday, Sue Black, Volker Bredebusch, Justin Brown, John Chadwick, Johnny Chandler, Rosie Danks, Kevin Gibbard, Simon Gurbey, Ivar Hamilton, Sam Heaphy, Mick Houghton, The Jdester, Paeach Kazen, Nigel Lees, Peter Matthews, Grant McKeown, David Ward MacLean, Tasha Pert, Greg Snowden, Mark Startford, David Suff, Craig Thompson and Pete Thompson