Bless The Weather - JOHN MARTYN***

Go Easy/Bless The Weather/Sugar Lump/Walk To The Water/Just Now/Head & Heart/Let The Good Things Come/Back Down The River/Glistening Glyndebourne/Singin' In The Rain

Bless The Weather is considered to be one of the most acclaimed releases from folk singer-songwriter John Martyn, and remained a strong favourite among his fans.

“What is needed to make an excellent folk album? It just needs talent. One should avoid fashions and just follow one’s feelings and then the songs will be genuine and true. Bless The Weather is exactly this kind of album – sincere and authentic.”

“This is one album that never gets old. It is laid back and atmospheric, ideal for late night listening, and was also the last time John sang in a clear natural voice before changing his vocal style to a gruff, slurring drawl.”

“Martyn is at his best when the sound is stripped down, as is most of the album. The only electric number, Sugar Lump is for me, the weakest cut. The album is very well produced, the musicianship is excellent, the lyrics smart and heartfelt, and he is an outstanding singer.”

“Martyn was really coming into his own as a songwriter during this period, and there are songs on Bless The Weather which are stunning. I don't think I have ever listened to Just Now the one time without repeating it again; a beautiful and soulful vocal with piano and guitar arrangement.”

“With the help of much of the line up of Fairport Convention and the increasing influence of Danny Thompson on bass, John Martyn's unique folk-rock and jazz fusion finds its own place on this album. The echoplex, slightly-slurred lyrics and superb musicianship deliver a set of innovative and carefully crafted songs.”

“It begins with the languorous Go Easy which takes me into a wonderful calm state. His pure yet rough voice, multi-tracked and solo is a wondrous instrument.”

“What comes through from the album as a whole is spontaneity. There is an underlying simplicity in each tune, and every song sounds as if composed on the spot, on impulse. The arrangements are basic, and sparse - just acoustic guitars, bass and drums on most of the songs. This is not to overlook the fact that the people playing with John Martyn on this album are luminaries in their own right. Do not be fooled by the apparent simplicity of these wonderful songs, they deserve repeated listening.”