Forgotten JOHN MARTYN Goody From 1991 Given A Really Great R
Mark Barry at Reckless Records, Lon | UK | 06/01/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Cooltide" was Martyn's 2nd album for Permanent Records and was issued to a largely indifferent public on 9 September 1991. Its long, funky and often soulful tracks were mature - and I loved it from the moment I heard "Hole In The Rain" and the hypnotically magical "Jack The Lad". "Cooltide" was unfortunately also typical of so many Martyn LPs in the 80's and 90's - superb in places and dull-as-dishwater in others. But my God, when he was good, he was untouchable. And of course - he had and still has - that voice - sexy and soothing at one and the same time. A wonder in itself.
This 2007 reissue on 'One World Records' adds four bonus tracks to the original 9. First up are the two exclusive mixes that came on the April 1992 CD single in the UK for "Jack The Lad" - an extremely hard to find item nowadays. And finally, two previously unreleased live tracks from the tour of 1991. As luck would have it, they're kicking live versions of the best songs on the album, "Hole In The Rain" and "Jack The Lad". "Jack The Lad" is good, but "Hole In The Rain" is fantastic. It's uses a slightly different and yet better synth fill as he sings - and there's a superb guitar solo in it too. This is an absolute must for Martyn fans. His live albums are often peppered with brilliance like this and this version is right up there (check out his superb re-working of 1975's "Sunday's Child" on the live album "Philanthropy" from 1983).
But the best news is the SOUND. The original CD - even though it was 1991 - was always underwhelming - especially on tracks like the lovely "Call Me" and "The Cure" - and of course the gorgeous "Jack The Lad". Well this DALLAS SIMPSON remaster is about twice as good - not overbearing - but now imbibed with the muscle the music always needed. It's a treat to finally hear this great little album given the sonic upgrade it's always deserved - a job well done.
"Cooltide" is a John Martyn album you need to rediscover - check out "Jack The Lad" on iTunes - you'll be hooked.
PS: One World Records is the label imprint by VOICEPRINT of the UK dedicated to John Martyn's work. It features remastered reissues of his albums along with newly discovered titles from the archives. Titles so far include:
1. "The Apprentice" from 1990, his 1st album in the UK on Permanent Records, it's original 11 CD tracks have had 5 Live Bonus Tracks Added (2007 release) (see REVIEW)
2. "Couldn't Love You More" from 1992, an album of 15 excellent re-recordings of his Island Label stuff, now remastered with two bonus tracks added (2007 release) (see REVIEW)
3. "No Little Boy" from 1993, an album of 14 re-recordings covering his career from 1970 up to 1991, now remastered with 2 bonus tracks (2008 release)
4. "One World Records Sampler CD", 14 Tracks, 1 of which is an exclusive live version of "Amsterdam" recorded in Oxford, October 1982 (available online only) (2008 release)
5. "Live", a new set with 20 tracks across 2CDs (2008 release)
PPS: "The Simmer Dim" is John Martyn's new album and is due Monday, 9 June 2008 - it's a live set recorded in the UK in 1980"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1