Folk & Country > Singer/Songwriter Folk & Country > by Studio / Live

Advantages: Highly original and relaxing acoustic guitar songs, superbly played
Disadvantages: Inferior bonus tracks might interfere with the mood of the album for some.

John Martyn was a very talented British singer/songwiter/musician, who attracted a strong interest and following during the 1970s (less so in the '80s),.But he enjoyed little commercial recognition, despite his best albums selling steadily over the years. Although Martyn started out as a folk artist in the late 1960s, by the time of this release, jazz and blues influences had crept into his repertoire. By the '80s, Martyn's studio albums had ...
...but not some might say, for the better. Bless The Weather, released in 1971 is John Martyn's fifth album, and arguably his best. It originally included ten tracks, nine songs plus one superb instrumental jam. What the original album managed to achieve is the near perfect blend of contemporary folk and jazz. And with John's expressive vocals, he hardly puts a foot wrong here. The CD's photograph cover hints at the atmosphere of the whole album, ... Read review

Advantages: Every track draws you in fantastically
Disadvantages: None

Rob's finest solo album sees him return to his roots. The master of the resophonic guitar, backed up at various times by his band mates from bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway offers some of the best music ever recorded on the dobro. The album is mainly an instrumental one with only the first track of the CD having vocals, that being a rip roaring version of Machine Gun Kelly. Sweet and soulful sounds can be found throughout, and Rob's dobro/bass ...
...Am A Pilgrim" is truly a treat for the ears. Of course no bluegrass CD would be complete without the obligatory fiddle tune, and on this album these include Fiddler's Dream and a fast paced, fun, hard driving rendition of Lost Indian. All in all a fantastic album for any bluegrass fan, especially so for other resophonic guitarists who can learn a great deal from Rob's playing. ... Read review

Advantages: 16 enjoyable songs
Disadvantages: No weak songs

I originally picked this up at a car boot sale 'cos I like country music and, boy, am I glad I found it! It is one of those CDs which you can play and enjoy every track - without skipping those tracks which you eventually can't stand!! Well, none of that here. The lyrics are great - personally I love "Highway Robbery" and "If Your Heart Ain't Busy Tonight", with "Take Another Run" coming a close third - but all the other tracks (sixteen in all) ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic tracks
Disadvantages: Does not include "I Can Help"

...1976 I was listening to Billy Swan singing "I Just Want to Taste Your Wine" and enjoying a long, hot summer! At the time I bought the original LP (yes, vinyl!) - the one entitled "Billy Swan" with the grey border - and loved every track on it, which was pretty amazing because for me the odds of that are astronomical!! So when I saw this combination CD advertised I decided to indulge my nostalgia and buy it - and no, I was NOT disappointed with the ... Read review

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: It's very very poor

I so wanted to love this album, as it sounded like it could be a classic. 2 musical legends, geniuses in their own right, one from the jazz field, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and one from the country scene, Wille Nelson. This had the makings of something great, or so I thought! Right away the album title grabbed my attention and had me thinking this was going to be a bluesy affair. Well, there's a hint of it on the album, but only a hint. This is ...
...ever have the displeasure of hearing. To be fair Marsalis plays well on here (the only redeeming factor about the project), but Nelson sounds like he's going through the motions and can't wait to get out of the studio. There's a serious lack of what all good blues music has - and that's 'feel', or 'soul', call it what you will, but any blues fan will know what I mean. This just sounds cold, calculated, unfeeling. It's boring to the 'n'th degree. ... Read review