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

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

Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set],John Martyn,Island,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

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

Average customer rating: haunting, soulful, beautiful, exquisite Sweet Honey Awesome Better than... Awesome double (acoustic) Martin at his best

Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set] John Martyn Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Church With One Bell One World Glorious Fool Solid Air On the Cobbles ASIN: B000001E4I Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

1. Bless The Weather
2. Head And Heart
3. Glistening Glyndebourne
4. Solid Air
5. Over The Hill
6. Don't Want To Know
7. I'd Rather Be The Devil
8. May You Never
9. Fine Lines
10. Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhaill
11. Make No Mistake
12. One Day Without You
13. Lay It All Down
14. Root Love
15. Sunday's Child
16. Spencer The Rover
17. You Can Discover
18. Call Me Crazy

Tracks:

1. Couldn't Love You More
2. Certain Surprise
3. Dancing
4. Small Hours
5. Dealer
6. One World
7. Some People Are Crazy
8. Lookin' On
9. Johnny Too Bad
10. Sweet Little Mystery
11. Hurt In Your Heart
12. Baby Please Come Home
13. Sapphire
14. Fisherman's Dream
15. Angeline
16. Send Me One Line

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

Customer Reviews:

haunting, soulful, beautiful, exquisite.......2006-01-26

where did this guy come from? i happen to hear "one world" on satellite radio (thank you XM!) and immediately looked him up. martyn has the whiskey-soaked voice of (fellow scotsman) rod stewart with louie armstrong thrown in, the spiritual intensity of van morrison and the jazzy folk sound of joni mitchell.
i've never heard anything quite like it. all of his songs are melodic and interesting and some, like "one world," "small hours" are transcendent and as beautiful as any music i've ever heard. trust me -- check this guy out.

Sweet Honey.......2005-06-22

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!

Awesome.......2001-10-14

I am so pleased with this awesome collection of great music. It is truly the best of the best.

Better than..........2000-09-10

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...

Awesome double (acoustic) Martin at his best.......2000-06-09

Martin plays a mean acoustic guitar and his slap-style is second to none. On a lot of his later albums he plugs the guitar into a box ----that to my mind, takes away a lot of the intrinsic beauty. This album is pure guitar, cool lyrics and John's awesomely slurred vocal renditions. He is totally brill in concert---this album matches his energy there.

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