If You Saw Thro My Eyes (Dig) [Import, Limited Edition]

Ian Matthews | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition
• Label: Universal Japan
• ASIN: B0009J8DOM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,043,731 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Desert Inn

2. Hearts

3. Never Ending

4. Reno Nevada

5. Little Known

6. Hinge, Pt. 1

7. Southern Wind

8. It Came Without Warning

9. You Couldn't Lose

10. Morgan the Pirate

11. If You Saw Thro' My Eyes

Editorial Reviews

Japanese only SHM paper sleeve pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing* SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc* allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning,Masterful and Eternal, January 8, 2006

By 

M. Gaines (Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If You Saw Thro My Eyes (Dig) (Audio CD)

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'.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stone Cold Classic, January 5, 2008

By 

M. Gaines (Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If You Saw Thro' My Eyes (Audio CD)

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'.[

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Iain or Ian - he's just as good, November 17, 2003

By 

Rev. Anthony L. Fox "RevF" (Tanunda - Barossa Valley South Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If You Saw Thro My Eyes (Audio CD)

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.