John Martyn

Credible Muggins

John Martyn — On the Cobbles

Baby Come Home

Under My Wing

Ghosts

Back to Marseilles

Cobbles

My Creator

One For the Road

Go Down Easy

Walking HomeGoodnight Irene

Master musician and songwriter John Martyn has suffered a series of personal misfortunes in recent years; so many trials and tribulations that would break the spirit of most people. But Martyn is, indeed, a born survivor. After a lengthy recording absence, his new an album On the Cobbles is full of joy and understanding. Some degree of bitterness in his work would have been quite understandable, but Martyn does not wallow in such destructive feelings — he carries on exploring all the finer human characteristics and chronicles deeper feelings that enlighten his songs.

Even when reflecting on the past, as in “Ghosts”, the ghosts he observes are manifestations of his own world — friends and colleagues, not tormentors or bad memories. There is so much understanding and sensitivity in these songs; they could only have emanated from someone who has lived all the highs and lows — lived on the edge.

Much of the tone of the album harks back to an earlier age — comparisons with 1973’s “Solid Air” are inescapable. So we have folk music overtones to what are frequently gruff, pained blues songs. Fortunately, none of the glitz and shimmer from much of his work in the 1980s is present here.

John Martyn has suffered much but created even more, and in a positive and forthright manner. One can but applaud all the emotional depth and character strength which combine to produce such impressive music.