- Barry Reynolds - guitar (1985)

- James Hooker - keyboards (1985)

- Andy Lyden - syn drums (1985)

- John Martyn - vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards

- Jim Prime - keyboards (1985)

- Robin Rankin - keyboards (1985)

- Steven Stanley - syn drums (1985)

- Uzziah "Sticky" Thompson - percussion (1985)

- Alan Thomson - bass, keyboards, syn drums (1985)
- Colin Tully - sax (1985)

- Jack Waldman - keyboards  (1985)

- none known

Genre: folk

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  So Far So Good

Company: Island

Catalog: ILPS-9484

Year: 1977

Country/State: Glasgow, Scotland

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4428

Price: $9.00

Cost: $66.00

An impressive, if abbreviated 'best of' collection, 1977's "So Far So Good" pulled together the cream of John Martyn's first decade as a professional musician.  As an overview, one could argue that the set wasn't nearly complete since the nine tracks were pulled from three of his eight studio LPs.  Since Martyn's largely unknown to American audiences, this is a good introduction to his classy catalog.  There are few folkies who manage to inject as much rock and roll energy into their performances.  While all nine tracks are worth hearing, highlights include the opener 'May You Never', 'Over the Hill' and the killer live cover of Skip James' 'I'd Rather Be the Devil'.  Nice liner notes/history from Brian Blevins.  Definitely worth finding.

"So far So Good" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) May You Never   (John Martyn) - 3:40

2.) Bless the Weather  (John Martyn) - 4:24

3.) Head and Heart  (John Martyn) - 4:51

4.) Over the Hill  (John Martyn) - 2:52

5.) Spencer the Rover (traditional arranged by John Martyn) - 4:07

(side 2)

1.) Glistening Glyndebourne (instrumental)  (John Martyn) - 6:30

2.) Solid Air  (John Martyn) - 5:43

3.) One Day without You  (John Martyn) - 2:56

4.) I'd Rather Be the Devil   (Skip James) - 5:50

Genre: rock

Rating: * (1 star)

Title:  Sapphire

Company: Island

Catalog: 90248-1

Year: 1985

Country/State: Glasgow, Scotland

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear; cutout notch along edge

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4450

Price: $5.00

Cost: $66.00

For 1985's self-produced "Sapphire", John Martyn seems to have decided to try to assume Robert Palmer's identity.  Unfortunately, as much as I like Martyn and have followed him from his folkie days, through his misguided Phil Collins infatuation, here it gets hard to say anything nice.  Well, hopefully Martyn had fun recording the album since the sessions took place at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas.  The comparison with the late Palmer  isn't meant as a joke.  Palmer's even given special thanks in the liner notes and Martyn seems to have made an effort to appropriate the former's mid-1980s sound.  Like much of Palmer's material, tracks such as the title track, ''You Know and 'Watching Her Eyes' are rife with cold and anonymous synthesizers.   Eleswhere, tracks such as 'Coming In On Time' and 'Rope-Soul'd' sport a cold, pseudo-adult contemporary sound that youmight hear in a grocery chain.  Even more frustrating Martyn seems to have decided it's a good idea to sing with a drunken slur, or with his cheeks stuffed full of marbles - it actually becomes funny hearing him slur the lyrics on songs such as 'Acid Rain'.  Joe Cocker where are you when we need you?

"Sapphire" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Sapphire   (John Martyn) - 5:18

2.) Over the Rainbow   (Arlen - Harburg() - 3:25

3.) You Know   (John Martyn) - 3:14

4.) Watching Her Eyes   (John Martyn - Alan Thomson) - 3:55

5.) Fisherman's Dreams   (John Martyn) - 4:18

(side 2)

1.) Acid Rain   (John Martyn - Alan Thomson) - 4:13

2.) Mad Dog Days   (John Martyn - Alan Thomson) -  5:00

3.) Climb the Walls   (John Martyn) - 4:17

4.) Coming In On Time   (John Martyn) - 3:38

5.) Rope-Soul'd   (John Martyn - Alan Thomson - Barry Reynolds) - 4:46