Martyn, John & Beverley: Road To Ruin (Vinyl LP)
A complex and sometimes belligerent character in real life, on record, John Martyn was the epitome of the folk-dreamer, embodying the spirit of the bourgeoning London acoustic scene of the late 60s. Well-known and respected for his 70s albums Solid Air and One World, this is where it began.
John Martyn met Beverley Kutner and the pair married in 1969. Kutner was a dazzling folk singer who had been invited by Paul Simon to sing on Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends album. It was obvious that two such talents united in love should also unite in music.
The second and final John & Beverley album, The Road To Ruin came out in late 1970; it is a mature, fully realised work, and a glimpse of what would have happened had Island not encouraged John to go back to being a solo artist. Opener Primrose Hill was later sampled by Fat Boy Slim, and the John-led Parcels offers a template for what would become his signature style as the decade progressed. It is one of those rare albums that creates its own atmosphere, late night intensity, middle age soul.
-
Primrose Hill
-
Parcels
-
Auntie Aviator
- New Day
- Give Us A Ring
- Sorry To Be So Long
- Tree Green
- Say What You Can
- Road To Ruin