On the Cobbles [Import]

John Martyn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 26, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony/Epic
• ASIN: B0001WAFXO
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,595 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Baby Come Home

2. Under My Wing

3. Ghosts

4. Back to Marseilles

5. Cobbles

6. My Creator

7. One for the Road

8. Go Down Easy

9. Walking Home

10. Goodnight Irene

Editorial Reviews

22nd studio album, through Independiente, includes collaborations with ex-Verve guitarist Nick McCabe, Paul Weller, & the legendary Mavis Staples as guest vocalist on the final track 'Goodnight Irene'. Sony. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After 4 years John Martyn delivers a beauty, May 12, 2004

By 

Mark F. Hulls (Black Rock, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Cobbles (Audio CD)

No matter if you're a recent convert to John Martyn or a long time fan, you'll love this album. Those in the know will be aware that John has had serious health issues of recent times (including having part of a leg amputated) but the tone of this album is extreemly healthy. I admit that I'm a huge John Martyn fan, but I hadn't expected the album to so quickly invade my subconscious. John Martyn's music does that, it takes you to an ethereal place where lyrics and meoldy fuse in a way that is difficult to describe. My only disappointment is that there are only 10 tracks but then again, quality is always better than quantity!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Gift from John Martyn, July 23, 2004

By 

Juan Mobili (Valley Cottage, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Cobbles (Audio CD)

John Martyn, with every album that goes by, perfects the art of sounding like himself. I don't mean to be cryptic with such statement but, rather, to pay the man a complement and vow my respect for his craft.
Whether it is bluesy "get down" like "Baby Come Home" or some delightful Pop-Folk like "under The Wind" -backed by Paul Weller- John Martyn's voice is the welcomed sound of a man at peace with himself, at least as far as his musical identity is concerned.
Specially, upon the loss of his leg to some ungodly cyst, it is wonderful to hear that he's back in the studio, still delivering quality, soulful material.
There may not be many surprises here, no experimenting with new forms, yet the songs will not disappoint anyone who knows what the man has done. I consider this album a joyful assertion of a style honed over thirty-plus years of worshipping his own musical gods. "Cobbles" and "Ghosts" are great examples of this.
Then, there are probably "the" songs of this CD, "My Creator," as far as amalgating the essential elements of Martyn's sound. Jazzy horns, Danny Thompson masterful bass, and that voice that, once you heard once, it is hard to live without. And "Go Down Easy" where syllables are suspended over the sinuous rhythm base, in a unforgettable way.
To finish things off, he gives a very respectable version of "Goodnight Irene," sharing vocal with the great Mavis Staples.
As you might have already ascertained, John Martyn is one of those people who I admired profoundly, which is not to say that I think that this album is a classic. That, it is not, yet it can belong to anyone's collection, without any apologies being necessary.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful record from vastly underrated writer, June 25, 2004

By 

Ed Rose "dwwashburn" (toronto, ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Cobbles (Audio CD)

Sometimes I think if John Martyn had died suddenly, tragically, after 1973's "Solid Air", he'd be the legend that Nick Drake (rightfully) is. He didn't. He just kept putting out records, some outstanding (One World, Grace And Danger, the Phil Collins' produced Glorious Fool, No Little Boy) and some just solid (Sapphire, And.). Now he has returned with a new and stellar collection of songs (all but two penned by Martyn). The production is much more sympathetic and organic than some of his previous work. Acoustic guitar, piano, brass and real drums dominate the cd. He also has some wonderful guests like Paul Weller and the incomparable Mavis Staples, who joins John on the last track, "Goodnight Irene". John Martyn is a style unto himself.
His smooth, lugubrious voice is nourishment for the heart and mind. Buy it.