On the Cobbles [Import]

On the Cobbles [Import]

Track Listings

1. Baby Come Home

2. Under My Wing

3. Ghosts

4. Back to Marseilles

5. Cobbles

6. My Creator

7. One for the Road

8. Go Down Easy

9. Walking Home

10. Goodnight Irene

Tracks:

Baby Come Home
Under My Wing
Ghosts
Back to Marseilles
Cobbles
My Creator
One for the Road
Go Down Easy
Walking Home
Goodnight Irene

Customer Reviews:

Martyn Magic.......2007-07-24

John Martyn's music has a mysterious elemental quality that has remained undiminished across the years. It has set him apart from his eminently worthy musical peer group. 'On The Cobbles' is proof positive of this enduring magic. It abounds with the sort electricity that permeates his best work on the Island record label.

Don't be fooled by the unprepossessing cover art of this 2004 offering on the Independiente label, this is John Martyn as he always has been: SPELLBINDING.

dissenting opinion.......2006-10-23

Unlike everyone else who seems to think On the Cobbles is just very good and a return to form and all that, I think it's the best he's ever done. It's just deeper, more absolutely sure of where it's going, and more ... masterful. It's a master work: the expression of an artist who has pulled together all of his experience and technique and let it coalesce into something whole and complete and unforced. Not that he's ever fallen much below this level of achievement (well, hardly ever), but the subtle dissonant spookiness of Ghosts and Back to Marseilles are something just a little bit new. Each song is perfected, full of ideas and little musical revelations, but never overworked. To get music that sounds fresh and alive and slightly raw, and yet which is also ear candy, is something almost unique to John Martyn. For the record, I think his second-best is Glasgow Walker. The man is just getting better and better.

another one for the road.......2004-07-27

John Martyn has practically made a career of avoiding the limelight. His latest, though not without it's moments of beauty, will likely do little to prod the criminally-overlooked Martyn into the pop-eye. Had he died in '77 or so, he'd probably be the latest "new" discovery, like Nick Drake. But he's still out there, though recently one leg lost for wear, creating solid and original music. "One for the Road" sounds like it belongs on one of his earlier hit albums, like "Sunday's Child" or "Solid Air", while "My Creator" slides easily into his latest repetoire of calm but not sacharrine audio treats. Until Martyn finds the public he deserves, you'll have to find him the old fashioned way, word of mouth, one convert at a time.
This isn't a bad place to start.

Another Gift from John Martyn.......2004-07-24

John Martyn, with every album that goes by, perfects the art of sounding like himself. I don't mean to be cryptic with such statement but, rather, to pay the man a complement and vow my respect for his craft.
Whether it is bluesy "get down" like "Baby Come Home" or some delightful Pop-Folk like "under The Wind" -backed by Paul Weller- John Martyn's voice is the welcomed sound of a man at peace with himself, at least as far as his musical identity is concerned.
Specially, upon the loss of his leg to some ungodly cyst, it is wonderful to hear that he's back in the studio, still delivering quality, soulful material.
There may not be many surprises here, no experimenting with new forms, yet the songs will not disappoint anyone who knows what the man has done. I consider this album a joyful assertion of a style honed over thirty-plus years of worshipping his own musical gods. "Cobbles" and "Ghosts" are great examples of this.
Then, there are probably "the" songs of this CD, "My Creator," as far as amalgating the essential elements of Martyn's sound. Jazzy horns, Danny Thompson masterful bass, and that voice that, once you heard once, it is hard to live without. And "Go Down Easy" where syllables are suspended over the sinuous rhythm base, in a unforgettable way.
To finish things off, he gives a very respectable version of "Goodnight Irene," sharing vocal with the great Mavis Staples.
As you might have already ascertained, John Martyn is one of those people who I admired profoundly, which is not to say that I think that this album is a classic. That, it is not, yet it can belong to anyone's collection, without any apologies being necessary.

Wonderful record from vastly underrated writer.......2004-06-26

Sometimes I think if John Martyn had died suddenly, tragically, after 1973's "Solid Air", he'd be the legend that Nick Drake (rightfully) is. He didn't. He just kept putting out records, some outstanding (One World, Grace And Danger, the Phil Collins' produced Glorious Fool, No Little Boy) and some just solid (Sapphire, And.). Now he has returned with a new and stellar collection of songs (all but two penned by Martyn). The production is much more sympathetic and organic than some of his previous work. Acoustic guitar, piano, brass and real drums dominate the cd. He also has some wonderful guests like Paul Weller and the incomparable Mavis Staples, who joins John on the last track, "Goodnight Irene". John Martyn is a style unto himself.
His smooth, lugubrious voice is nourishment for the heart and mind. Buy it.

Average customer rating:

On the Cobbles

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000A2GAZM
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Album Description

22nd studio album, through Independiente, includes collaborations with ex-Verve guitarist Nick McCabe, Paul Weller, & the legendary Mavis Staples as guest vocalist on the final track 'Goodnight Irene'. Sony. 2004.

Average customer rating:

On the Cobbles

Manufacturer: Independiente
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00025318G
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Music Review: