London Conversation – JOHN MARTYN***

Fairy Tale Lullaby/Sandy Grey/London Conversation/Ballad Of An Elder Woman/Cocaine/Run Honey Run/Back To Stay/Rolling Home/Who’s Grown Up Now/Golden Girl/This Time/Don’t Think Twice Its Alright

London Conversation was the debut album from British folk guitarist and songwriter John Martyn. This is more conventional folk and less experimental than his later albums.

“I am a big fan of John. I collected nearly all his work, but this LP is not his strongest. It's more in a straight folk vein and not as experimental as his later work.”

“A perfectly acceptable late sixties folky album, good guitar work too. However, gives no real indication of the brilliant music John Martyn was to start making only a few years later. The version of Cocaine is terrific though.”

“Unsurprisingly it's probably John's most derivative record songwriting wise and the arrangements aren't particularly original (most of the tunes consist of just acoustic guitar and vocals) but the quality of the playing, John's superb heartfelt singing and the consistent mood of longing, all serve to make London Conversation an essential listen for all folk fans.”

“London Conversation was the first time I heard John Martyn. Everything about the album, the lyrics, the voice, the feeling and the guitar playing consumed me with a desire to play it again and again.”

“His debut album shows off his voice in a quite different light to his later work. Most of the songs on the album are his. Martyn's use of open tunings is also in its early stages, but even here he demonstrates a wonderful musicality and easy style which adds originality, depth and tone to all his songs. While London Conversation can't compete with some of his later albums it is a brilliant debut.”

“An interesting album to own for John Martyn fans. Vocally and musically different from his work that evolved subsequently. Some good finger picking acoustic guitar. It grows on you.”

“John Martyn before he started exploring what his voice could do, and all the electronic gadgetry he used to great effect in later recordings. I really like the simplicity of this one.”