Customer Reviews

Glorious Fool

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The CD release of this album has been an unaccountably long time coming. The re-working of ONE WORLD's 'Couldn't Love You More', with Eric Clapton's gorgeous guitar work and Collins (for once) sympathetic background vocals, is a masterpiece which didn't deserve to be hidden away in WEA's vaults for the past 15 years.

As well as coaxing some of his best rock performances out of John Martyn, Phil Collins also provides excellent drumwork. Ace session keyboardsman Max Middleton is also at a near peak, doing much the same job on electric paino as he did for Jeff Beck's WIRED and BLOW BY BLOW, along with, in particular, Chris Rea's excellent ON THE BEACH.

This is a great album, one that deserves to be played at volume!

I have been looking for this title for 18 years.It is The Best album I had and now 18 years later have ever heard. This mans vocals are haunting and addictive. I am a happy GLORIOUS FOOL having found this long lost treasure.

I first bought this album/vinyl when it first came out "way back".....merely on the album cover.....I then proceded to get all i could of this man "John Martyn".....I listen(ed) to everything from talking heads/brian eno-ambiant stuff/ to who knows what else....i do radio/music not tv....within the last year when i got into turning some of my old vinyl into cd's (technology,thanks)....this was the first one i pulled out. It is TIMELESS.....great great great. Put it on and forget about it....it creates an incredible atmosphere.....and i must say this: Of all the albums i have bought and purchased with an eye toward the "coverwork"......This is the absolute best in regards to the coverwork complimenting the music within....The songs are all great "top-notch"....however, don't try to "pick and choose" at first.....just put it on and let it go....It is meant to be heard as a whole----as any masterpiece is. Get it. LIsten......and then buy more.

John Martyn is at his best when he keeps it minimal, so the emotion can shine through. Unfortunately, Phil Collins applies his tried and true 80s gloss production on this record, and it ends up sounding fairly dated as a result. If you dig John's more ambient stuff, like Solid Air and Bless The Weather, you probably won't like this record a whole lot.

Previous reviewers note that the first track, "Couldn't Love You More", with Eric Clapton on guitar, is great. But if you want to hear a truly brilliant version of this song, pick up the reissue of John's album "One World" and listen to the live 1978 version of this track, which is on the bonus disc. It's just Martyn and his guitar, pouring his heart out in front of a stunned crowd. After you hear that version, you'll realize how "Diet Coke" this version of John Martyn is.

But hey, if you wanna hear Phil Collins sing backup vocals, and play drums (without touching his cymbals much) then by all means....

Even Phil Collins, at the height of his popularity, and Eric Clapton throwing in some really tasty licks, couldn't help bring John to the masses and that is a shame. "Glorious Fool" is one of Martyn's easier albums to listen to for someone that is not familiar with his work. "Couldn't Love You More" is worth the price of the lp. It should have been a hit. At least we played it in a decent rotation at our station. There are a number of good tunes here.

This is a very good album...by it!!!