Heaven And Earth - Hole in the Rain LSM 4010
The wholly merited outpouring of grief in the music community when John Martyn died of pneumonia in January 2009 spoke volumes about the man's ability to touch hearts.
The wholly merited outpouring of grief in the music community when John Martyn died of pneumonia in January 2009 spoke volumes about the man's ability to touch hearts.
John Martyn
Heaven And Earth
Hole in the Rain
* * *
Absolute
Completed just prior to his passing in January 2009.
It is a wee bit bizarre that what is British singer/songwriter/guitarist John Martyn's final studio album begins with him singing "Don't make me laugh, I might die laughing." That song, Heel Of The Hunt, also features Phil Collins singing a spectral-like refrain that calls for the singer to "Be at peace now."
Our critics review the best and worst of this week's new releases...
POP
John Martyn: Heaven And Earth
Absolute Recordings, £11.99 ***
On Record
The week's essential new releases
Absolute
Heaven And Earth
Hole In The Rain,
out tomorrow
* * * * *
The current, Brits-endorsed interpretation of folk music, in which well-heeled young people dress as canal workers and sing about imagined old times, doesn't really legislate for someone like John Martyn.