"Retrospectacle: The Supertramp Anthology" by SUPERTRAMP – Album Tracks Released Between July 1970 and March 2002 on A&M and EMI Records featuring Rick Davies, Rodger Hodgson, John Helliwell, Mark Hart, Dougie Thomson, Bob Siebenberg, Frank Farrell, Dave Winthrop, Cliff Hugo, Lee Thornburg and more (October 2005 UK A&M Records 2CD 35-Track Compilation with Two Previously Unreleased Period Outtakes and Greg Calbi and Jay Messina Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry....

 

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"…I Really Have Enjoyed My Stay…"

 

In 2023, England's Supertramp is 53-years burning down the Prog and Rock piano road. Five decades (plus) since their stumbling self-titled July 1970 debut album on A&M Records - their spiritual label home throughout the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties until they signed a new deal with EMI in 1997.

 

Amazingly, October 2005's "Retrospectacle: The Supertramp Anthology" was their first half-decent career overhaul and came in a Single CD Edition – and this – the better and more comprehensive double. Centurion Crimes, Stateside Breakfasts, English Dreamers, Multiple Crisis Scenarios, Free Birds, Indelible Stamps, Moonshine Sisters and the occasional quiet moment with a Cannonball – they're all here. And it sounds the oozemefling in the audio department too. Here are the Bloody Well Rights, and none of it Logical...

 

UK released October 2005 - "Retrospectacle: The Supertramp Anthology" by SUPERTRAMP on A&M 0602498869284 (Barcode 602498869284) is a 2CD 35-Track Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (77:39 minutes):

1. Surely (Edit, 1:03 minutes)

2. Your Poppa Don't Mind (3:00 minutes)

3. Land Ho (3:54 minutes)

4. Summer Romance (2:51 minutes)

5. School (5:34 minutes)

6. Bloody Well Right (4:32 minutes)

7. Dreamer (3:32 minutes)

8. Rudy (7:18 minutes)

9. Crime Of The Century (5:34 minutes)

10. Sister Moonshine (5:18 mnutes)

11. Ain't Nobody But Me (5:10 minutes)

12. Lady (5:23 minutes)

13. Two Of Us (3:26 minutes)

14. Give A Little Bit (4:08 minutes)

15. Downstream (4:01 minutes)

16. Even In The Quietest Moments (6:27 minutes)

17. From Now On (6:20 minutes)

NOTES on CD1:

Track 1 is an Edit taken from their debut album "Supertramp", the LP released July 1970 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 981. The a 30-second clip of the song "Surely" opened Side 1, but the version used here is edited from the full 3:08 minute song that ends Side 2

Track 2 is from their second studio album "Indelibly Stamped" released June 1971 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64306

Tracks 3 and 4 are Rick Davies and Rodger Hodgson songs and were the Non-LP A&B-sides of a British single. "Land Ho" was issued 1 March 1974 as their debut UK 45-single on A&M Records AMS 7101. However, the "Land Ho" single variant that was remixed by Ken Scott in November 1973 and issued as their first seven-inch in March 1974 – is not the version on offer here. It is a June 1975 Ken Scott remix that was considered for the 1975 "Crisis? What Crisis?" album but left unreleased. This compilation marks the first appearance of this Previously Unreleased mix and the 1974 single B-side "Summer Romance". Rodger Hodgson re-rerecorded "Land Ho" for his September 1987 second solo album "Hai Hai" also issued on A&M Records

Tracks 5 to 9 are from their third studio album "Crime Of The Century" released September 1974 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68258

Tracks 10 to 13 are from their fourth studio album "Crisis? What Crisis?" released November 1975 on A&M Records AMLH 68347

Tracks 14 to 17 from their fifth studio album "Even In The Quietest Moments" released April 1977 in the UK on A&M Records AMLK 64634

 

CD2 (76:30 minutes):

1. Gone Hollywood (5:21 minutes)

2. The Logical Song (4:08 minutes)

3. Goodbye Stranger (5:48 minutes)

4. Breakfast In America (2:38 minutes)

5. Oh Darling (3:49 minutes)

6. Take The Long Way Home (5:00 minutes)

7. You Started Laughing (Live) (4:02 minutes)

8. It's Raining Again (4:24 minutes)

9. My Kind Of Lady (5:14 minutes)

10. Don't Leave Me Now (6:20 minutes)

11. Cannonball (7:39 minutes)

12. Free As A Bird (4:21 minutes)

13. You Win, I Lose (4:33 minutes)

14. Another Man's Woman (9:35 minutes)

15. Over You (3:31 minutes)

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1 to 6 from their sixth studio album "Breakfast In America" released March 1979 in the UK on A&M Records AMLK 63708

Track 7 was a new song and exclusive to the live double-album "Paris" released September 1980 in the UK on A&M Records AMLM 66702

Tracks 8 to 10 are from their seventh studio album "...Famous Last Words..." released September 1982 in the UK on A&M Records AMLK 63732

Track 11 is from their eighth studio album "Brother Where You Bound" released June 1985 in the UK on A&M Records 395 014-1 (LP) -2 (CD)

Track 12 is from their ninth studio album "Free as A Bird" released October 1987 in the UK on A&M Records 395 181-1 (LP) -2 (CD)

Track 13 is from their tenth studio album "Some Things Never Change" released March 1997 on EMI Records 7243 4 89989 2 7 (CD)

Track 14 is from their second live album "It Was The Best Of Times" released April 1999 in the UK on EMI Records 7243 4 99389 2 2 (CD)

Track 15 is from their twelfth studio album "Slow Motion" released March 2002 on EMI Records 7243 5 38624 2 8 (CD)

 

The 24-page booklet is pleasingly in-depth and tastefully laid out – each album pictured – band named – playing times – occasional guests. The discography info is preceded by SCOTT SCHNIDER liner-notes penned in New York in September 2005. Bolstered up with album-by-album recollections in between the text from mainman Singer and Writer Roger Davies – the info is good and covers the whole. Davies rightly waxes proud about their achievements and the fierce loyalty of fans that have stayed with the British Group most of their adult lives. It's nicely done.

 

But the real meat is the new sound. Audio Engineer GREG CALBI (assisted by JAY MESSINA) is important to Supertramp’s highly polished audiophile sound because he mastered both "Crime Of The Century" and "Breakfast In America" in 1974 and 1979 – and therefore has an intimate knowledge of the tapes. And with a staggering 2,300 mastering and remastering credits to his name across four decades (including huge names like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and even Television) – CALBI knows his way around a console and a tape box or two.

 

It will come as no surprise to any Supertramp fan to see that their two big landmark albums are well serviced here. "Crime Of The Century" from September 1974 gets five of its eight tracks Remastered while the March 1979 mega-hit and global breakthrough album "Breakfast In America" gets six of its ten explored.

 

After the tentative and frankly less than impressive two LP start in 1970 and 1971 – Supertramp regrouped – got together with the Bowie Producer Ken Scott and decided to spend time going for a winner. In 2024 - "Crime Of The Century" will be an astonishing 50 years young – and even now its aural sophistication and crafted songmanship improves and moves. I am always taken aback by the sad beauty in the very Prog tempos of "Rudy", the echoed Harmonica opener "School" with that Guitar and Piano break at 2:15 minutes (fabulous power in the Remaster) and the Tubular Bells-type piano genius of the title track "Crime Of The Century". The album also showcased the voices of Ray Davies and Rodger Hodgson as duel lead vocalists – a theme the band would repeat on every album thereafter.

 

The follow-up LP had big boots to fill and as I recall, the November 1975 set "Crisis? What Crisis?" disappointed. But having said that "Sister Moonshine" and "Lady" are Supertramp tunes I return more to than others. The send-a-smile lead off single "Give A Little Bit" was and still is lovely – a huge jangling acoustic guitar winner like "Sister Moonshine" while the took-a-boat-on-Sunday "Downstream" has a fantastic lead vocal from Rick Davies and is about as moving a love song as they ever achieved. The Remastered Audio for both "Even in The Quietest Moments" (Roger Hodgson on Lead) and the piano-whack of "From Now On" (Davies on Lead) is truly fabulous and might even make you reassess the "Even in The Quietest Moments" album as one of the lost gems from the turbulence of 1977.

 

CD2 weighs in with the big guns. And frankly after some of the lesser cuts from the earlier years - you thank the good 1979 Lord for it. In fact you could have included the whole "Breakfast In America" LP - especially brilliance like the keyboard marathon that is "Child Of Vision" that ended Side 2 in such stunning style. But if you are A&M - you don't give everything away. The "Breakfast In America" album was also serious Audiophile territory so standout songs like the keyboard-chugging guitar-soloing "Goodbye Stranger" (lyrics above, Roger Hodgson killing on that final geetar solo), the lesser-heard keyboard-funk of "Oh Darling" and the stunning Harmonica warbler "Take The Long Way Home" sound huge – but without being overblown or over trebled (I can even forgive the truly dreadful "Logical Song" and its cringing lyrics). Must be moving on.

 

But then it all feels like a rather sad downhill slope thereafter with only intermittent moments of relief. One such forgotten touchstone is "You Started Laughing" - the lone live cut from the September 1980 double album "Paris" (recorded 29 November 1979) – a really good song that you long to hear a studio version of. But then we get the plinky-ploppy AOR Pop of the awful "It's Raining Again" with the once-proud Supertramp chart chasing with the equally hammy "My Kind Of Lady". Things get Saxophone worse with "Don't Leave Me Now"- an early 80ts love song you can't wait to leave as soon as is possible.

 

At last relief comes by way of a fantastic seven and half minutes of keyboard workouts from 1985 - "Cannonball" showing that "Child Of Vision" magic again – even if the lyrics are a tad cheesy and obvious. It is a great discovery too for those who do not know their catalogue – a Rock-Soul-Funk workout worthy of any CD-R highlighting Funky Funky (Lee Thornburg playing a blinder on Trumpet). "Free As A Bird" is lightweight for them, but worse is weighed down with a horrible wall of 1987 production values that makes even a Remaster feel odd and strained. They go back to the "Breakfast in America" song formula for the simple but effective “You Win, I Lose” – a 1997 song that just about passes muster for a good one. Second last is one more live song recorded and released in 1999 – a dusted-of so-so tune from the 1975 album  "Crisis? What Crisis?" called "Another Man's Woman" But why someone thought this was worthy of inclusion is any man's guess? "Retrospectacle: The Supertramp Anthology" ends on the blatant waltz-tempo rip-off that is "Over You" – not bad – sort of good – but nothing like the greatness of old.

 

For sure there are clunkers and the 2CD set suffers from having to touch base with every album when more from the masterpieces would have been the smarter and braver choice. But – the good stuff and that audio – man oh man when Supertramp was good – they were the business.

 

If you've been on the fence about SUPERTRAMP and their lengthy back-catalogue - then this dirt-cheap brilliant sounding twofer remaster is where to dive in and wallow…

"The Darlings Of Wapping Wharf Launderette: The Immediate Anthology" by SMALL FACES – Includes the Bulk of Three Stereo Albums "Small Faces" (June 1967, Immediate Records Debut, Complete), "Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" (May 1968, Complete) and "The Autumn Stone" (March 1969, 2LP Studio and Live Set, Partial) - Plus Non-Album Single Sides and Other Rarities - Featuring Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan with Guest Stanley Unwin on Comedy Vocals for "Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" and P.P. Arnold (April 1999 UK Sequel/Castle Music/Immediate 2CD Band-Approved Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"Are You All Sitty Comftybold Two Square On Your Botty? Then I'll Begin…"

 

On the 2^nd of June 1967, Decca Records released their second Vinyl LP by the Small Faces called "From The Beginning" – an album of finished and unfinished material the band had not approved. Decca did this because on the 23^rd of that month in June 1967, the newly signed Small Faces would see their "Small Faces" debut album for Immediate Records hit the shops.

 

You will notice the 2 and 23 June 1967 release dates – Decca trying to steal the thunder of the Immediate Records debut album by released their compilation with unfinished material a mere three weeks before the new Immediate LP. And of course, in door number four - was the masterpiece that is "Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" – a British number 1 album after its May 1968 release. They all make me weak at my semi-Mod knees.

 

And after that – the final hurrah – another patch-up called "The Autumn Stone" – a 2LP set also on Immediate Records and their last before Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie with Peter Frampton and Ronnie Lane and Kenney Jones joined forces with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood to form the equally-love Faces (the natural extension of Small Faces).

 

And that is where our 1999 band-approved remastered-from-original-tapes 2CD 50-Track Compilation comes a trollop-ing in – helped out, aided and abetted by Barry Green – the foremost authority on all things Immediate Records and annotated by David Wells. In fact "Darlings Of Wapping Wharf Launderette" is the world’s biggest-selling Small Faces fanzine (hence the compilation title). I love this little brute – I really do. Here are the comftybold details...

 

UK released Monday, 19 April 1999 (reissued 16 May 2000) - "The Darlings Of Wapping Wharf Launderette: The Immediate Anthology" by SMALL FACES on Sequel/Castle Music/Immediate NEECD 311 (Barcode 5023224231123) is a 2CD 50-Track Compilation approved by the Band and Remastered from Original Stereo Tapes. It breaks down as follows:

 

CD1 (69:08 minutes):

1. I Can't Make It

2. Just Passing

Tracks 1 and 2 the A&B-sides of a Non-LP UK 45-single released 3 March 1967 on Decca F 12565 (Mono)

 

3. Here Comes The Nice

4. Talk To You

Track 3 and 4 are the Non-LP A&B-sides of a UK 45-single released 2 June 1967 on Immediate IM 050 (Mono)

 

"Small Faces" Album (Immediate Records Debut from 1967)

5. (Tell Me) Have You Ever Seen Me [Side 1]

6. Something I Want To Tell You

7. Feeling Lonely

8. Happy Boys Happy

9. Things Are Going To Get Better

10. My Way Of Giving

11. Green Circles

12. Become Like You [Side 2]

13. Get Yourself Together

14. All Of Our Yesterdays

15. Show Me The Way

16. Up The Wooden Hills To Bedfordshire

17. Eddie's Dreaming?

Tracks 5 to 17 are the album "Small Faces" - their third studio LP released 23 June 1967 in the UK on Immediate Records IMLP 008 (Mono) and IMPS 008 (Stereo) – the STEREO Mix Is used

 

18. Itchycoo Park

19. I'm Only Dreaming

Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides on a Non-LP UK 45-single released 4 August 1967 on Immediate IM 057 (Mono)

 

20. Tin Soldier

21. I Feel Much Better

Tracks 20 and 21 are the A&B-sides of a Non-LP UK 45-single released 2 December 1969 on Immediate IM 062 (Mono)

 

"Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" Album (Immediate Records Second LP from 1968)

22. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake [Side 1]

23. Afterglow

24. Long Agos And Worlds Apart

25. Rene

26. Song Of A Baker

27. Lazy Sunday

Tracks 22 to 27 are Side 1 of "Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" - their fourth studio album released 24 May 1968 in the UK on Immediate Records IMLP 012 (Mono) and IMSP 012 (Stereo) – the STEREO Mix is used

 

CD2 (74:08 minutes):

"Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" Album (Immediate Records Second LP from 1968)

1. Happiness Stan [Side 2]

2. Rollin' Over

3. The Hungry Intruder

4. The Journey

5. Mad John

6. Happy Days Toy Town

Tracks 1 to 6 are Side 2 of "Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake" - their fourth studio album released 24 May 1968 in the UK on Immediate Records IMLP 012 (Mono) and IMSP 012 (Stereo) – the STEREO Mix is used

 

7. The Universal

8. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A&B-sides of a Non-LP UK 45-single released 28 June 1968 on Immediate IM 069 (Mono)

 

9. Wham Bam, Thank You Man

Track 9 is the Non-LP B-side of "Afterglow Of Your Love" – released 7 March 1969 in the UK on Immediate IM 077 (Mono)

 

"The Autumn Stone" Double-Album (Immediate Records Third from 1969, Partial)

 10. The Autumn Stone

11. Collibosher

12. Red Balloon

13. Call It Something Nice

14. Wide Eyed Girl On The Wall

15. Don't Burst My Bubble

16. Every Little Bit Hurts (Studio Version)

17. Picaninny

18. The Pig Trotters

19. The War Of The Worlds

20. Take My Turn

Tracks 10 to 20 are part of the double-album "The Autumn Stone" released March 1969 in the UK on Immediate Records IMAL 0/02 (Stereo).

 

21. Mad John (US Single Version with Extra Verse)

Track 21 released September 1968 as a US 45-single on Immediate ZS7 5012, A-side

 

22. (If You Think You're) Groovy – P.P. ARNOLD

Track 22 written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane and issued 5 January 1968 as a UK 45-single on Immediate IM 061, A-side (Mono). The single doesn't credit the Small Faces but they play on the track

 

23. Wham Bam, Thank You Man (Alternate Stereo Mix – aka "Me, You & Us Too")

 

The DAVID WELLS annotated liner notes (done March 1999) are surrounded by a huge array of period sights on the eight-square-panels-per-side foldout inlay - a meisterwerk of typesetting genius. It crams in the Biography and Discography factoids with staggering economy – all Singles and Albums listed – release dates – writer credits – period photos – sheet music pictured – Immediate Mono and Stereo Tape Boxes – UK 45 Demo Labels. There are four rare Euro Picture Sleeves used (three for The Universal and one for Afterglow Of Your Love) and that photo of the boys with the Itchycoo Park sign in hand. For sure the entirety of "The Autumn Stone" double-album is not here – Stereo Versions of key tracks and those muddy Live Versions over on Side 4 - but I would argue you are not missing much and besides both CDs are jam-packed and the bulk of it in STEREO (except for the Singles).

 

There are those who have complained about the Remasters (done by someone at Sound Recording Technology in St. Ives) – but I say absolute bollox to that. On many a re-listen, I have come to judge it as a forgotten gem with the best sound they could get from material that was never recorded as some audiophile dream. And musically – what a blast! Stanley Unwin's "Unwinese" gobbledygook English fills Side 2 of Ogden's Nutgone Flake – genius like the "Happiness Stan" suite and indeed the general creative mayhem that surrounded this most beloved of English albums. 

 

And then there is the dip and find – the B-sides "Talk To You" and "Wham Bam Thank You Man" so damn good - "Lazy Sunday" always a thrill - raising a smile – the fantastic instrumental "Collibosher" on The Autumn Stone double with their brand of Funk in Rock – "Rene" - the Docker's delight (her ship is in every night) – and that extra verse in the American 45 of "Mad John" - its all a triumph and yes – too beautiful. I must confess too, I rarely ever saw the P.P. Arnold 45 on Immediate when I worked as a Rarities Manager in Reckless Records in London – so its presence here is a very clever inclusion.

 

Darlings of Mod and Pop and Rock – the superlatives fail me. And - as I type this in September 2023 – "The Darlings Of Wapping Wharf Launderette..." can be bought for under three or four quid in many auction sites. So I would like to argue that you could not spend your paltry three or four dids any better. What a band - and some 55-years-plus – they still blow you away. "What up man!" indeed!

"Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology" by JOHN MARTYN – Featuring Remastered Album Tracks from "Bless The Weather" (1971), "Solid Air" and "Inside Out" (both 1973), "Sunday's Child" (1975), "One World" (1977), "Grace And Danger" (1980), "Sapphire" (1984), "Piece By Piece" (1986) and "Foundations (Live)" (1987) – Guests Include Danny Thompson, Tony Cox, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick, Foster Patterson, Danny Cummings of Central Line, Phil Collins of Genesis, Colin Tully of Cado Belle, Alan Thomson of Pentangle, Rico, Steve Winwood of Traffic and more (June 1994 UK Universal/Island Chronicles 2CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…A Big Old Friend Of Mine…"

 

Sat in my Man Cave Eardrum Penitentiary in September 2023 as the whiff of seaweed from Margate beaches fills my nostrils with thoughts of lavatories that need to get out more - there are probably two or even three other John Martyn CD compilations out there right now that offer your average Joe Schmo Listening Type more - and possibly for less spondulicks.

 

But I say knob (and it isn't because I like to say knob – well I do like to say knob) – I'm going old school - because in the words of our much loved and greatly missed Scotsman – just Couldn't Love You More. I come back time and time again to this fabulous 1994 digital-twofer because of its tracks, its sound, the respect shown in the presentation and because its Primo John Martyn singer-songwriter material from 1971 to 1987. Once more unto the Echoplex...

 

UK released June 1994 – "Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology" by JOHN MARTYN on Universal/Island/Chronicles CRNCD 4 – 522 245-2 (Barcode 731452224521) is a 2CD 36-Track Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows:

 

Disc 1 (78:51 minutes):

1. Bless The Weather

2. Head And Heart

3. Glistening Glyndebourne

Tracks 1 to 3 from the album "Bless The Weather", November 1971 UK on Island ILPS 9167

 

3. Solid Air

4. Over The Hill

5. Don't Want To Know

6. I'd Rather Be The Devil

7. May You Never

Tracks 3 to 9 from the album "Solid Air", February 1973 UK on Island ILPS 9226

 

8. Fine Lines

9. Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhaill

10. Make No Mistake

Tracks 8 to 10 from the album "Inside Out", October 1973 UK on Island ILPS 9253

 

11. One Day Without You

12. Lay It All Down

13. Root Love

14. Sunday's Child

15. Spencer The Rover

16. You Can Discover

17. Call Me Crazy

Tracks 11 to 17 from his eight studio album "Sunday's Child", January 1975 on Island ILPS 9296

 

Disc 2 (75:28 minutes):

1. Couldn't Love You More

2. Certain Surprise

3. Dancing

4. Small Hours

5. Dealer

6. One World

Tracks 1 to 6 from his 9th studio album "One World", November 1977 on Island ILPS 9492

 

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

Tracks 7 to 12 from his 10th studio album "Grace And Danger", October 1980 on Island ILPS 9560

 

13. Sapphire

14. Fisherman's Dream

Tracks 13 and 14 from his 13th studio album "Sapphire" issued November 1984 on Island ILPS 9779

 

15. Angeline

Track 15 from his 14th studio album "Piece By Piece", February 1986 on Island ILPS 9807

 

16. Send Me One Line (Live)

Track 16 is from the live album "Foundations (Live)", October 1987 on Island Records ILPS 9884. All tracks recorded live at the Town & Country Club in London in 1986. A studio version of "Send Me One Line" would eventually show in March 1990 on "The Apprentice" albums on Permanent Records.

 

The card wraps houses a slimline 2CD jewel case with a 24-page oversized booklet nestled in alongside it. The booklet is lovely, period photos from his Davey Graham-obsessed Folk debut "London Conversation" in 1967 up to the bearded-man-about-town look of the 1980s. COLIN ESCOTT gives a typically witty yet informative summation of Martyn and his erratic music career (penned December 1993) wavering between the Scot's Acoustic Troubadour persona (Danny Thompson of Pentangle plucking his Double Bass on stage with Martyn in the center-pages photo) and his Frippotronics Guitar Noizes - Echoplex sounds ahoy. 

 

The story is fair and insightful (never really did make it Stateside despite tours there with Yes and Eric Clapton) and praises what should be praised. The album-by-album annotation also tells who played what and where - his then wife Beverley Martyn on "Bless The Weather" in 1971 to Bobby Keys and Members of Traffic on the "Inside Out" album up to Steve Winwood making huge contributions to the gorgeous "One World" album of 1977. The Remasters are from original tapes done by JOSEPH M. PALMACCIO at Polygram Studios and they are beautiful. To the tunes...

 

The scene is cleverly set by a smattering of gems from 1971's "Bless The Weather" - two first class ballads in "Bless The Weather" and "Head And Heart" then funked up the echoed guitar soundscape of "Glistening Glyndebourne". A fabulous start with better to come.

 

Beloved by fans and constantly rediscovered by the listening public - John Martyn's 6th album for the mighty Island Records - the lovely and ethereal "Solid Air" (February 1973) – gets five of its nine tracks showing up here. While others love it - I've never liked his echo-plexed version of Skip James blues tune "Devil Got My Woman" which he renamed "I'd Rather Be The Devil" - but I cannot be rational about any of the other four – tunes like the truly gorgeous "Over The Hill" which has Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention playing an absolute blinder on Mandolin and Autoharp (respectively) or "May You Never" which Clapton would cover on his mega "Slowhand" album in 1977 making JM a few bob in Royalties no doubt.

 

At the time of release, his rather wonderful and slightly overlooked January 1975 album "Sunday's Child" had been issued on a standard IMCD release only the year prior - but "Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology" represented a first proper Remaster of the album – hence we are treated with seven of its eleven tracks. While its safe to say that the late 1973 effort "Inside Out" may have looked promising with its beautiful gatefold Island Records artwork - the LP was a tad disappointing after the stunner of "Solid Air". "Sunday's Child" brought back the fold - a mellow, peaceful, almost home-loving album from him. Songs like the acoustic "Lay It All Down" or the gorgeous Traditional "Spencer The Rover" with its swirling rolling feel and down-home-lyrics offered up Romance and History in his incomparable Troubadour fashion. Tunes like "You Can Discover" need to be exactly that – discovered.

 

Sophistication and Soulfulness come kissing your bedroom lamps when you indulge CD2. As strings rattle, keyboards plink and bows are drawn across Double Basses - "Couldn't Love You More" weaves its truly gorgeous magic. It shimmers loveliness - like that Ryan Adams song on the 2001 album "Gold" called "When The Stars Go Blue" - covered by Bono and The Corrs, Tim McGraw, Lee Mead and loads of others who know a gem when they hear one. Steve Winwood provides keyboards all across the fabulous "One World" album – 1977 being the year that made everyone notice Martyn and "Exodus" by Bob Marley & The Wailers. The "One World" album was hugely popular, so, it is no surprise to see a whopping six of its eight-tracks appear on CD2 (Steve Winwood on all).

 

Reggae Legend Rico stumps up lovely Trombone on "Certain Surprise" while Danny Thompson of Pentangle plays Bass, Bruce Reynolds on Drums with Steve Winwood of Traffic and Blind Faith fame swirls his electric piano. Martyn gets playful with "Dancing" but it’s the eight-minutes of "Small Hours" that echoplex the Soul – Chris Blackwell of Island Records once declaring it his fave bit of music. Drummer Andy Newmark of Sly & The Family Stone fame gets seriously Funky alongside Steve Winwood as they slink through the scales and selling and longing for powder in "Dealer" – Martyn displaying a menace in his vocals he would use in the 80s and 90s to amazing growling effect. And love that treated electric guitar he floats in the background of the restless yet moving title track "One World".

 

"Grace And Danger" in 1980 saw both John Martyn and his pal Phil Collins (of Genesis and solo career fame) both suffering personal setbacks in marriage breakdowns. But as Collins plays Drums and sings on many tracks, that pain permeates such gems as "Hurt In My Heart" and "Baby Please Come Home". Supplemented by some seriously good talent, the album featured Tommy Eyre on Keyboards (Alex Harvey and Joe Cocker bands), John Giblon on Bass (Simple Minds and Peter Gabriel) as well as Keyboardist guest Dave Lawson of Greenslade fame on "Some People Are Crazy" and "Sweet Little Mystery". Can’t say I like "Johnny Too Bad" - but I know others who dig its Rock-Reggae meets Guitar-Grunge-Funk sound and unfortunately the two from "Sapphire" are strangely lesser somehow. Not so the next up...

 

His last LP proper for Island Records was "Piece By Piece" in 1986 – a flawed masterpiece in my mind with musical chums like film/TV music keyboard man Foster Patterson, Colin Tully of Cado Belle on Saxophone, Alan Thomson of Pentangle on Fretless Bass and Danny Cummings of Central Line on Drums. But together they made the most gorgeous Soul-Rock sound – and it’s a damn shame that only "Angeline" has made it on here. But what a song it is – issued as the world’s first CD single in February 1986 (five tracks, a sort of Mini LP) - arguably "Angeline" is the very best piece of music on this twofer in a sea of goodies. He hits vocals Nirvana as his growl sails away on the Chorus Breeze. The album and this gorgeous love song off of it should have been huge, but again, "Piece By Piece" the album was half good and not all good like "Solid Air" or "One World" and that did for his stay at the label that had nourished him since 1967 when they signed him as a nubile 17-year old. He would on to even greater heights in my books in the 1990s and 00s – but that is another compilation. Speaking of which...

 

Universal have done his memory proud on many an occasion – 2CD Deluxe Editions of "Solid Air" (1973), "Live At Leeds" (1975), "One World" (1977) and "Grace And Danger" (1980) – the “Ain’t No Saint” 4CD Digibook compilation from September 2008 - while the mammoth 17CD and 1DVD LP-Sized Box Set “The Island Years” from September 2013 is and always will be - one of my prize possessions. I have reviewed most all of them including the monster box.

 

There are other John Martyn compilations a-plenty – one has three CDs but poor annotation so technically it offers more music for not a lot of wonga. But spare a thought and an abused few coins for "Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology" because if ever there was a Goody Two Shoes that makes me smile, then it is this one...