Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set] [Import]

John Martyn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 17, 1994
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: MSI:UNIVERSAL/ISLAND
• ASIN: B000001E4I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #26 in Music > Imports > Folk
  • #45 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > British Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

His whisky-grained vocals and alternately sweet, stinging acoustic guitar have made Scottish troubador John Martyn a seductive but sadly overlooked original among British folk performers since his emergence in the late '60s. That oversight is answered by this intelligent two-CD anthology of Martyn's rich catalog of albums for Island Records, which document his triple threat as a distinctive guitarist, soulful singer, and compelling writer and interpreter. Martyn's moody legacy includes winsome ("May You Never," covered by Eric Clapton) and harrowing ("Solid Air," his plea to friend Nick Drake) examples of abundant craft, notable for his rich vocals and spare, elegant arrangements featuring Richard Thompson, Danny Thompson, Phil Collins, and other better-known English musicians who savored Martyn's musical gifts.--Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Honey, June 21, 2005

By 

R. J MOSS (Alice Springs, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set] (Audio CD)

This is the place to savour John Martyn's mellifluous music. He has a warm voice, at times, searching at others, celebratory. There's an altogether sumptuous melding of folk and jazz in his phrasing and playing. He was into this blend probably prior to Joni Mitchell, and to my ears, he made a more peruasive, more resolved fusion of the genres. Why people prefer Nic Drake over Martyn is more to do with media hype than talent, I suggest. The domain of the solitary soul was never more eloquently charted than here on this great compilation. Pity,'Grace & Danger', didn't cut with the producers. But 'Sweet Little Mystery', 'Solid Air', and ,'Johnny Too Bad' are in tact and to be savoured like your favourite juice smoothy, through a long straw. An excellent investment!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars haunting, soulful, beautiful, exquisite, January 25, 2006

By 

R. C. Kopf "curtis kopf" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set] (Audio CD)

where did this guy come from? i happen to hear "one world" on satellite radio (thank you XM!) and immediately looked him up. martyn has the whiskey-soaked voice of (fellow scotsman) rod stewart with louie armstrong thrown in, the spiritual intensity of van morrison and the jazzy folk sound of joni mitchell.
i've never heard anything quite like it. all of his songs are melodic and interesting and some, like "one world," "small hours" are transcendent and as beautiful as any music i've ever heard. trust me -- check this guy out.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than..., September 9, 2000

By 

Martyn (Toulouse France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology [2-CD Set] (Audio CD)

I came to JM after Clapton, Winwood, et al and he is so much better. The secret is that he is so consistent throughout the phases of his career that are sampled on this album. Even the likes of EC and Bowie have dimples on their pimples, but it seems that JM just keeps on doing the same great stuff over and over. And like Van Morrison, he is less mainstream and therefore seems to not be inflicted with superstar ego ambitions. A career to start to be appreciated...