"The Apprentice" by JOHN MARTYN - March 1990 UK Album Originally On Permanent Records LP, MC and CD (August 2007 UK One World Records 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Five Bonus Tracks - Dallas Simpson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Is This The Moment..."

A wee history for the wee laddie... Born 11 September 1948 in Surrey, England, but raised from an early age in Glasgow, Scotland - the 18-year old Iain David McGeachy finally made his way down to London in the summer of 1967. He busked during the day, slept in Trafalgar Square at night, got moved on by the fuzz in the morning and generally got by on a wing and a prayer. Prompted by his first agent, Sandy Glennon, and based on his love for their Acoustic guitars, he then dropped the i in Martin and replaced it with a far cooler y and wisely became JOHN MARTYN.

Then propositioned in a UK folk bar in Kingston, Surrey by producer THEO JOHNSON, he was brought to the attention of independent label genius CHRIS BLACKWELL. Chris took the equally wise decision to sign the curly haired troubadour to his wonderful record label, Island Records (his first white artist signing) and in October 1967 released the mono only ILP 952 (produced by Theo Johnson). It was Martyn's quietly lovely debut album "London Conversation". Recorded for a frankly exorbitant £158 in Pye Studios in Marble Arch, and still only a pimply 19, John Martyn was quite rightly hailed by the press and the public as a major new talent.

Some 14 studio albums later and especially after the relative failure of the well received but commercially underachieving "Piece By Piece" from 1986 - folks at Island Records were in a different mood. His new recordings left them unimpressed and him without a record label. After a semi-successful stint in the 80ts at Warner Brothers, the latter half of the decade saw him in the obligatory live-album wilderness until Martyn then signed to the relatively new Permanent Records in the UK. And in March 1990 he released "The Apprentice". And that's where this 2007 'Expanded Edition' remaster comes Rock-Souling in…

UK released 27 August 2007 - "The Apprentice" by JOHN MARTYN on One World Records OW130CD (Barcode 0604388690527) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster that plays out as follows:

1. Live On Love [Side 1]

2. The River

3. Look At The Girl

4. Income Town

5. Send Me One Line

6. Deny This Love [Side 2]

7. Hole Me

8. Upo

9. The Apprentice

10. The Moment

11. Patterns In The Rain

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "The Apprentice" released March 1990 in the UK on LP, MC and CD on Permanent Records PERM 1 – the LP had 10 tracks and the Side 2 song "The Moment" was a Bonus on both the MC and CD. All songs are by John Martyn except “Patterns In The Rain” by Foss Patterson.

JOHN MARTYN – All Vocals and Guitars

TAJ WYZGOWSKI – Rhythm Guitar on Tracks 1 and 9

FOSS PATTERSON – Keyboards

ANDY SHEPPARD – Saxophone on Tracks 3, 5 and 6

COLIN TULLY – Saxophone on Track 2 and 8

DAVE BALL – Bass on Track 1

ARAN AHMUN – Drums

DANNY CUMMINGS – Percussion and Backing Vocals

DANUSIA CUMMINGS – Backing Vocals

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Deny This Love (Remix)

13. The Apprentice (Live)

14. The River (Live)

15. Send Me One Line (Live)

16. Look At The Girl (Live)

The four live tracks feature Spencer Cozens on Keyboards, Dave Lewis on Saxophone, Alan Thomson on Bass and Arran Ahmun on Drums. Track 13 first appeared on a CD single in 1990 and Tracks 14, 15 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED from a 1990 Tour

"The Apprentice" is not a great John Martyn album, it's a good one and fans will know what that means. Three or four cracking tracks, while the rest are either OK or no good at all. What was bad though about the original CD issue was the hugely underwhelming sound - very dull and compressed. The gatefold slip of paper that represented the original booklet too wasn't much better either - it barely gave musician credits and that was it. My original CD is now gold coloured through corrosion, but it still plays...

The tapes on this 2007 UK re-issue have been remastered by DALLAS SIMPSON and a nice job he's done too. It's much better - not spectacularly so but having A/B'd the two - it's definitely better. The booklet too is improved to 8 pages with extras like photos of the one CD single that came off the album "Deny This Love", the lyrics to "Send Me One Line" which was inspired by the '84 Charing Cross Road' book and film and finally, an album history by JOHN HILLARBY - keeper of the JM flame. But bizarrely enough, One World have forgotten to include the session men who actually played on it - the one scrap of info on the original inlay (so I've provided it above).

There are 5 bonus tracks and are a very mixed bag. Tracks 12 and 13 are the two exclusive songs on the "Deny This Love" UK CD single from August 1990 (Permanent CD PERM 1). The Remix of "Deny This Love" drops the awful Acapella beginning and is very much better for it, while the live version of "The Apprentice" could best be described as OK only. The last three are previously unreleased live versions from the 1990 "Apprentice Tour UK" and are the most disappointing of all. Not performance wise, but soundwise - they're covered in hiss and sound like they were dubbed off some crinkly old cassette tape - a real shame because the performances on "Send Me One Line" and "Look At The Girl" are particularly good. A real bummer that - and its easy to see why these two and "The River", the 3rd live track, were left in the can up until now. 

Highlights on the album include the beautiful ballad "Send Me One Line" and the equally soft and lovely album closer, "Patterns In The Rain". One of the great moments on the 11-track CD album is "The Moment" (a bonus track not on the vinyl LP) - and it was this I looked forward to hearing most. There's an acoustic guitar break in it that bursts out of the speakers - and this remaster has at last given that moment real muscle.

He followed "The Apprentice" with "Cooltide" in 1992, a much better album I think. I adore John Martyn and his truly fantastic soulful voice and achingly touching song writing. He could fart in a bottle and I'd still want to hear it.  Try "Send Me One Line", "Hold Me" or "Patterns" on iTunes and you'll hear what you've been missing.

PS: One World Records is the label imprint by VOICEPRINT of the UK dedicated to John Martyn's work. It features remastered reissues of his albums along with newly discovered titles from the archives. Titles so far include:

1.  "The Apprentice" from 1990, his 1st album in the UK for Permanent Records, it's original 11 CD tracks have had 5 Bonus Tracks Added (2007 UK release) (REVIEWED ABOVE)

2.  "Cooltide", from 1991, his 2nd album in the UK for Permanent Records - a gem of an album (see SEPARATE REVIEW)

3.  "Couldn't Love You More" from 1992, an album of 15 excellent re-recordings of his Island Label stuff, now remastered with two bonus tracks added (2007 UK release) (see SEPARATE REVIEW)

4.  "No Little Boy" from 1993, an album of 14 re-recordings covering his career from 1970 up to 1991, now remastered with 2 bonus tracks (2008 UK release)

5.  "One World Records Sampler CD", 14 Tracks, 1 of which is an exclusive live version of  "Amsterdam" recorded in Oxford, October 1982 (available online only)  (2008 UK release)

6.  "Live" - a new set with 20 tracks across 2CDs (2008 UK release)

7. "The Simmer Dim" – Live Album of Unreleased Material Recorded in Scotland in 1980 (June 2008 UK release)

"No Little Boy" by JOHN MARTYN – Originally a July 1993 UK CD Compilation of 13 Re-Recordings of Older Island Records Material (March 2008 UK One World Records 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Three Bonus Tracks featuring Phil Collins, Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Levon Helm of The Band - Dallas Simpson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"No Little Boy" - The 2008 CD Reissue and Remaster by One World Records

"...What A Time We Had..."

The 1993 John Martyn compilation "No Little Boy" has a convoluted history and this March 2008 expanded CD reissue of it requires some explanation too.

After the well-received but relative commercial failure of the "Piece By Piece" album in 1986 - John Martyn found himself dropped by Island Records and without a contract. He then signed to a new UK label - Permanent Records - who issued two albums of new material - "The Apprentice" in 1990 and the wonderful "Cooltide" in 1991.

However, away in the USA at the time and without his knowledge or permission, Permanent took a swathe of in-progress re-recordings of his old Island year's material and naughtily released it as the compilation "Couldn't Love You More" in October 1992 on Permanent PERM 9. Martyn was understandably furious and denounced it. But in a strange quirk of fate, the public largely embraced it (charted at 65) and the album even opened up a whole new audience for him.

Back in the UK and determined to do it 'properly' - JM put out this second compilation of re-recordings on Permanent PERM 14 in July 1993 and called it "No Little Boy" (a lyric from the song "Ways To Cry"). Seven of its 13 songs were NOT on the "Couldn't Love You More" compilation and some of the other duplicate titles turned out to be radically different versions too (even though it didn't say this on the artwork). 

Which brings us to this 3 March 2008 UK CD reissue of "No Little Boy" by JOHN MARTYN on One World Records OW128CD (Barcode 604388689521). The original 13-track CD compilation from 1993 is now upped by three bonus songs, the music newly remastered and the booklet expanded and annotated better. It breaks down as follows (78:35 minutes):

1. Solid Air (originally on "Solid Air", February 1973)

2. Ways To Cry (originally on "Inside Out", October 1973)

3. Could've Been Me (originally on "Well Kept Secret", 1982)

4. Don't Want To Know (originally on "Solid Air", February 1973)

5. Just Now (originally on "Bless The Weather", 1971)

6. One Day Without You (originally on "Sunday's Child", 1975)

7. Sweet Little Mystery (originally on "Grace & Danger", 1980)

8. Pascanel (originally on "Glorious Fool", 1981)

9. Sunday's Child (originally on "Sunday's Child", 1975)

10. Head & Heart (originally on "Bless The Weather", 1971)

11. Fine Lines (originally on "Inside Out", October 1973)

12. Bless The Weather (originally on "Bless The Weather", 1971)

13. Man In the Station (originally on "Solid Air", February 1973)

BONUS TRACKS

14. One World (originally on "One World", 1977)

15. Rock, Salt And Nails (see Notes below)

16. Hole In The Rain (a REMIX of a track originally on "Cooltide", 1991)

Notes: Tracks 2, 3 and 7 feature PHIL COLLINS on duet vocals; Tracks 2, 3 and 14 feature DAVID GILMOUR of PINK FLOYD on Guitar while LEVON HELM of THE BAND provides duet vocals on "Rock, Salt And Nails" (a cover version written by BRUCE 'Utah' PHILLIPS). Other contributors include Alan Darby on Guitar, Alan Sheppard on Saxophone and Gerry Conway on Drums. Although the booklet doesn't advise who remastered the tapes, the website seems to say it was done by DALLAS SIMPSON – it's far better than the 1993 version I've had all these years.

As you imagine, some of the re-recordings work and some don't. Some to my ears are incredible, just as lovely as the originals but more soulful (even if they are a bit over produced in places). Special mention should also go to PHIL COLLINS for his heartfelt vocal contributions especially on "Ways To Cry" - a track where both their hurting personal lives seem to seep through their voices. 

I derided the versions of "Head & Heart" and "Man In The Station" on the "Couldn't Love You More" compilation, but the versions here are much better. "Fine Lines" is truly beautiful – my personal favorite - a fabulous version, while "Pascanel" gets a superb update with the girly vocals of Shaun Christopher and Rene Stewart and the piano work of Fred Nelson. The bonuses are exceptional too – the new version of "One World" is wicked as is the remix of a song I never tire of - "Hole In The Rain". But 'the piece here is "Rock, Salt & Nails", a cover version, which sees Martyn duet with Levon Helm of The Band to amazing effect – so, so good.

Both collections have been re-packaged to buggery by other labels since then (which hasn't helped) - so fans have all but ignored them or forgotten them entirely. Personally - John Martyn could fart in a bottle and I'd still want to hear it. Which is one of the reasons for this review - this lovely and muscular 2008 REMASTER of that 2nd set has finally brought out just how good many of these re-recordings were and still are. And I would urge fans and newcomers to give these re-makes another chance.

Recommended...

"Cooltide" by JOHN MARTYN – September 1991 UK LP and CD on Permanent Records with Guests Jessica King, Foster Paterson and Spencer Cozens and more (January 2007 UK One World Records ‘Expanded Edition’ CD Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks – Dallas Simpson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Jack The Lad..."

"Cooltide" was John Martyn's 2nd album for Permanent Records and was issued to a largely indifferent public on 9 September 1991 on PERM LP 4 and PERM CD 4 (recorded May, June and July of that year in Glasgow).

A crew of quality players, like keyboardists Foster Paterson and Spencer Cozens, Bassists Alan Thompson and Dave Ball with Saxophonist Andy Sheppard helped give the album a seriously updated and polished sound – even if the original hard copy releases weren’t exactly an audiophile wet dream (this 2007 Expanded CD reissue and remaster is a big improvement). John Martyn played guitar throughout, penned all the tunes and of course sang all lead vocals.

Musically its long, funky and often Rock-Soulful tracks were mature and I loved it from the moment I heard "Hole In The Rain" and the hypnotically magical "Jack The Lad". But "Cooltide" was unfortunately also typical of so many Martyn LPs in the 80's and 90's - superb in places and dull-as-dishwater in others. But my God, when he was good, he was untouchable. And of course, he had that voice - sexy and soothing at one and the same time - a wonder in itself. Here are the cool details...

UK released 1 January 2007 - "Cooltide" by JOHN MARTYN on One World Records OW129CD (Barcode 0604388691326) adds on four bonus tracks to the original 9 and plays out as follows (52:34 minutes):

1. Hole In The Rain [Side 1]

2. Annie Says

3. Jack The Lad

4. Number Nine

5. The Cure

6. Same Difference [Side 2]

7. Father Time

8. Call Me

9. Cooltide

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Jack The Lad (Remix)

11. Jack Sez

12. Jack The Lad (Live 1991, Previously Unreleased)

13. Hole in The Rain (Live 1991, Previously Unreleased)

First up amongst the Bonus Tracks are the two exclusive mixes that came on the April 1992 CD single in the UK for "Jack The Lad" - an extremely hard to find item nowadays (they are Track 10 and 11 on this CD). And finally, two previously unreleased live tracks from the tour of 1991. As luck would have it, they're kicking live versions of the best songs on the album, "Hole In The Rain" and "Jack The Lad". While "Jack The Lad" is good - "Hole In The Rain" is fantastic. It uses a slightly different and yet better synth fill as he sings - and there's a superb guitar solo in it too.These tracks alone make this variant of "Cooltide" an absolute must for Martyn fans. His live albums are often peppered with brilliance like this and this version is right up there (check out his superb re-working of 1975's "Sunday's Child" on the live album "Philanthropy" from 1983).

With regard to the album itself, longtime Martyn fan, associate and keeper of the JM flame JOHN HILLARBY provides the liner notes - but the best news is the Audio upgrade. The original CD - even though it was 1991 - was always underwhelming - especially on tracks like the lovely "Call Me" and "The Cure" and of course the gorgeous "Jack The Lad". Well this DALLAS SIMPSON remaster is about twice as good - not overbearing - but now imbibing muscle into the music – an oomph that it always needed.

JESSICA KING provides the backing vocals on the Side 2 opener "Same Difference" and the near twelve and a half minute title track that finishes the album is lifted up too. In fact it's a treat to finally hear this great little release be given the sonic upgrade it's always deserved - a job well done.

"Cooltide" is a John Martyn album you need to rediscover - check out "Jack The Lad" on iTunes - you'll be hooked.

PS: One World Records is the label imprint by VOICEPRINT of the UK dedicated to John Martyn's work. It features remastered reissues of his albums along with newly discovered titles from the archives. Titles so far include:

1.  "The Apprentice" from 1990, his 1st album in the UK on Permanent Records, it's original 11 CD tracks have had 5 Live Bonus Tracks Added (2007 release) (see REVIEW)

2.  "Couldn't Love You More" from 1992, an album of 15 excellent re-recordings of his Island Label stuff, now remastered with two bonus tracks added (2007 release) (see REVIEW)

3.  "No Little Boy" from 1993, an album of 14 re-recordings covering his career from 1970 up to 1991, now remastered with 2 bonus tracks (2008 release)

4.  "One World Records Sampler CD", 14 Tracks, 1 of which is an exclusive live version of  “Amsterdam” recorded in Oxford, October 1982 (available online only)  (2008 release)

5.  "Live", a new set with 20 tracks across 2CDs (2008 release)