Customer Reviews

If You Saw Thro' My Eyes

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ian Matthews 1971 work "If You Saw.........." has to be one of the corner stones of American folk classics that should have solidified Matthews reputation among the music listening populace.
A work that has been in and out of print in the UK, it has sadly gone unnoticed and forgotten.
I can recall its impact upon my own listening discernment way back in 1971. Being aquainted with Fairport Convention and Matthews connection what that band and Ian's offshoot Matthews Southern Comfort who gave the music world " Colorado Springs Eternal", "Commercial Proposition" as well as their interpretation of the Joni Mitchell hit "Woodstock" my expectations on a Matthew's solo outting were exciting to say the least.
Little was I prepared for what unfolded upon my first listening of this gem. From the open track of "Desert Inn" to the final track " If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" impacted me with it's eternal beauty that simply transcended much of what was being offered in the folk/rock genre of 1971.
Matthew's would go on well into the future writing and performing his heartfelt tales of life post "If You Saw Through......." with his follow ups "Tigers Will Survive" (1972), "Valley High" (1973) and "Somedays You Eat the Bear" (1974) that would firmly set these works as a trilogy to what he would create in the future.
"If You Saw Through My Eyes" holds up as if it had just been recorded in 2005 and in my book that qualifies it as a stone cold classic.
If you missed out in 1971 I highly recomend catching up in 2005 on what I term an 'eternal stunner'.

Ian Matthews 1971 work "If You Saw.........." has to be one of the corner stones of American folk classics that should have solidified Matthews reputation among the music listening populace.
A work that has been in and out of print in the UK, it has sadly gone unnoticed and forgotten.
I can recall its impact upon my own listening discernment way back in 1971. Being aquainted with Fairport Convention and Matthews connection what that band and Ian's offshoot Matthews Southern Comfort who gave the music world " Colorado Springs Eternal", "Commercial Proposition" as well as their interpretation of the Joni Mitchell hit "Woodstock" my expectations on a Matthew's solo outting were exciting to say the least.
Little was I prepared for what unfolded upon my first listening of this gem. From the open track of "Desert Inn" to the final track " If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" impacted me with it's eternal beauty that simply transcended much of what was being offered in the folk/rock genre of 1971.
Matthew's would go on well into the future writing and performing his heartfelt tales of life post "If You Saw Through......." with his follow ups "Tigers Will Survive (1972),Valley Hi/Some Days You Eat the Bear and Some Days the Bear Eats You (1973)(1974) that would firmly set these works as a trilogy to what he would create in the future.
"If You Saw Through My Eyes" holds up as if it had just been recorded in 2008 and in my book that qualifies it as a stone cold classic.
If you missed out in 1971 I highly recomend catching up in 2008 on what I term an 'eternal stunner'.[

I don't know when Iain Matthews decided to use the traditional spelling of his name - on my old vinyl it was "Ian" ... but never mind, the spelling doesn't change the music.
This record has been almost impossible to get hold of for some time - now that it is available again I think it's worth grabbing before it vanishes once more.
For those of us old enough to remember, the honest sound of this disc is very evocative of the 70s and that whole Fairport - Richard Thompson - British folk / country / rock era. Thoughtful lyrics, lovely playing, and 'that' sound .... This guy has the kind of voice you'd expect to find in the angelic choir.
"Hearts" was a hit and deservedly so ... Matthews' treatment of the two Richard Farina tracks ("Reno Nevada" and "Morgan The Pirate") is just magical ... and his acapella singing on the 2nd half of "Hinge" is amazing (this was literally the album's 'hinge' - the instrumental "Hinge 1" was the last track on side 1 and the vocal "Hinge 2" was the first track of side 2). His duet with the late and much missed Sandy Denny on the title track brings tears to my eyes.
If you like 'Matthews Southern Comfort' you will love this 'solo' effort ... Matthews is the number 1 star, but the other musos who appear on the album make this more than a 'solo' effort.
OK, I'm gushing ... I'll stop now, but listen and buy - this album is beautiful.

Ever since the German Line CD (which included both this LP and his follow-up "Tigers Will Survive") was deleted, I've been hoping someone would reissue this amazing 1970 LP. Finally, the Dutch label, Inbetween, has reissued this LP. In 1970, Ian Matthews, fresh from Matthews Southern Comfort, signed to Vertigo and recorded this album with friends Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Tim Renwyck, Andy Roberts, and a few others. Inbetween did a superb job. The cover is an exact reproduction of the original vinyl (why Amazon doesn't have the image is beyond me). It was remastered beautifully. Tracks include, "Desert Inn", "Hearts", "Never Ending", "Reno Nevada", "Little Known", "Hinge" (both the instrumental and vocal versions), "Southern Wind", "It Came Without Warning", "You Couldn't Lose", "Morgan The Pirate", and "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes". Apparently there were no extra tracks recorded at this session. For anyone who likes the early 1970's, this is essential addition to your collection.

I'm all for it! Like our friend, Cathbear, from Malden MA, this has long been one of my most sought after CDs. Each cut flows into the next, creating a total poem. (Not a "concept album", like "Sgt. Pepper's" or "Salty Dog", but an integrated whole, none the less.) Iain serves us with a full platter of well thought out music. His melodies are simple, but the orchestration has lots of subtle complexities which keep things interesting. The lyrics are reflective and sometimes evocative without being mundane, moody or heavy-handed. The cuts speak for themselves and are clever methods to tell his tales.

In "If You Saw Through My Eyes" Matthews shows that he is one of the best singer-songwriter, folk-rockers among his contemporaries - right along side early Jackson Browne, Ellen McEllwaine and Elton John.

I'm very glad that the "industry" is seeing it's way to re-releasing some of the older masterpieces along with what passes for talent these days. I highly recommend "If You Saw..." to any one who has a taste for excellent lyrics set to well crafted tunes.

For the past five years or so, I have been hunting for two of my all-time favorite albums on CD. I received a copy of Mary Hopkin's "Earth Song/Ocean Song" for my birthday - I can only imagine how much my friend paid for it. Two weeks later, I found out "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" was being rereleased on CD. I ordered it immediately, and finally - finally!! - it arrived this morning, and is playing as I type.

"Beautiful" is really the only word to describe this work. Every single song takes your breath away. And the CD really shows off the magnificence of the arrangements and lyrics.

If you are a fan of great songwriting, buy it!

Ian Matthews gets high marks for this, his first official "solo album", after leaving Fairport Convention and putting out a couple records under the aegus of Matthews Southern Comfort.

This album draws on his strengths from his time in Fairport Convention, which were featured best in the BBC Sessions album "Heyday". Several cover versions from that compilation turned up on Matthews first solo albums, including Richard Farina's "Reno, Nevada", which is fleshed out on "If You Saw Thro.." by a harder edged arrangement and fine guitar interplay between Richard Thompson and Tim Renwick. Jamming guitars (acoustic this time) also dominant "Morgan the Pirate", Farina's diatribe against Bob Dylan, over a chord progression that strongly echoes the Ventures' "Walk Don't Run".

Other highlights include the sweetly melodic "It Came Without Warning", the Mason Proffit soundalike "Southern Wind", and "Never Ending", a ballad featuring avant-garde pianist Keith Tippett, better known for his work with the group King Crimson.

In the liner notes to this reissue, Matthews comments that this album may sound naive after thirty years...well, yes, but 1971 was a year awash in naivete. But with Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny on board, strong material, and Matthews' honeyed voice, this still holds up as Ian's best overall effort.

Recommended.

I have loved this record since I bought a second hand copy at Andy's record stall in Cambridge market in 1972. I still think it is the best thing Ian Matthews has done. 'Reno Nevada', with two of my favourite guitar players in Richard Thompson and Tim Renwick trading licks, has to be one of the great tracks ever.....

Agree with the previous reviewer. Put it on a few weeks ago while I was cleaning my vinyl. My wife had never heard it, and really liked it (she's no big fan of folk music either). The musicianship abounds.

Ian Matthews 1971 work "If You Saw.........." has to be one of the corner stones of American folk classics that should have solidified Matthews reputation among the music listening populace.
A work that has been in and out of print in the UK, it has sadly gone unnoticed and forgotten.
I can recall its impact upon my own listening discernment way back in 1971. Being aquainted with Fairport Convention and Matthews connection what that band and Ian's offshoot Matthews Southern Comfort who gave the music world " Colorado Springs Eternal", "Commercial Proposition" as well as their interpretation of the Joni Mitchell hit "Woodstock" my expectations on a Matthew's solo outting were exciting to say the least.
Little was I prepared for what unfolded upon my first listening of this gem. From the open track of "Desert Inn" to the final track " If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" impacted me with it's eternal beauty that simply transcended much of what was being offered in the folk/rock genre of 1971.
Matthew's would go on well into the future writing and performing his heartfelt tales of life post "If You Saw Through......." with his follow ups "Tigers Will Survive" (1972), "Valley High" (1973) and "Somedays You Eat the Bear" (1974) that would firmly set these works as a trilogy to what he would create in the future.
"If You Saw Through My Eyes" holds up as if it had just been recorded in 2005 and in my book that qualifies it as a stone cold classic.
If you missed out in 1971 I highly recomend catching up in 2005 on what I term an 'eternal stunner'.