Share your first impressions on John's final studio album here.
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Heaven and Earth
One World 2CD Deluxe
Live at Leeds 2CD Deluxe
Solid Air 2CD Deluxe
Grace & Danger 2CD Deluxe
BBC In Concert CD
4CD Boxed Set
Boxed Set
Live at the BBC DVD
BBC In Session CD
Such a serene picture. Love the title track. Cannot wait until the 16th. Thank you John Hillarby. xxx Sue T
ReplyDeleteI followed the estimable John Hillarby's link for clips from Heaven And Earth and was delighted to find that here in the USA I was able to buy a download of the whole thing on May Seventh. Cheap, too.
ReplyDeleteThe album starts off with a bang with "Heel Of The Hunt" which is a wild oddity of a track, in some ways seeming to encapsulate JM's whole career in a few minutes. The backing vocals on "Stand Amazed" sounded a little out of place to me, maybe too high on the mix, but that is a very minor quibble. "Heaven And Earth" is the first true standout track for me, with beautiful sax and reassuring vocals from JM that brought the first of many tears. I began to feel that JM was using this album to say goodbye. "Bad Company" is a real stonker of a track, such a tragedy we will never see that one live. "Could Have Told You Before I Met You" has a vibe almost redolent of the "Well Kept Secret" era. A reminder that on top of everything else, John Martyn wrote GREAT pop songs. This was my favorite track so far, with a lovely laid back guitar break. "Gambler" features the trademark growl and is positively FUNKY. THen it happened. That John Martyn moment where you hear a song of his for the first time and it immediately steals ylour heart. It first happened for me almost forty years ago when my school friend Chris Collings first played me "Head And Heart." John tells us that he can ..."Turn back the covers, turn on the light, but I can't turn back the years." A beautiful song that ranks among his best, both in theme and content. I have not read anything to confirm this, but it sounds like Phil Collins on the backing vocals. "Colours" is another strong one, as is closer "Willing To Work", a sprawling workout which has a similar feel to opener "Heel Of The Hunt".
As the tracks continued, I began to get really drawn in. It began to feel like a mellower, slightly looser follow up to "And..." in many ways. After five hearings over twenty four hours, I think this is the strongest studio album since "And..." I think I prefer it to "On The Cobbles" and "Glasgow Walker". It is hard to be objective given the circumstances. Getting to hear this album felt like John was back with us somehow, only to realize as "Willing To Work" was fading out that this wasn't the case. It was like losing him all over again. He did leave us his great body of work though, and he left us this, his way of saying goodbye. There is a sense of finality about many of the lyrics on "Heaven And Earth." If this was John's chosen method of signing off, it was a noble, beautiful one. Love light and peace.
Just listened to the entire album and it's stunning! 'Could've Told You Before I Met You'has grabbed the heartstrings and is on continuous play - can't stop listening - mesmerised... wouldn't expect anything else. The track 'Heaven and Earth' is so beautiful it's almost too acutely painful for me to hear again right now but I will soon enough! This is a really moving moment. Could not wait to hear this. Well done to the big man in the sky....
ReplyDeleteThis is one hellva a way to bow out, by turns growling and snarling, then soothing and blissful as only John can be, I stand amazed and awestruck by this album, It's all good, but stand outs are Stand Amazed, Heaven and Earth, Could've told You, Gambler, Can't turn back the years (made me cry), Colour, I'm sure the others will soon become classics, given a few more plays, but this has left me feeling a bit emotional, One Love to all involved in getting this wonderful man's last testament to us, Rest Easy Big John...
ReplyDeleteIt's been well worth the wait, and it's obvious the time has been well spent. It just sounds so damn good. A big thank you to all involved in getting this out on the streets.
ReplyDeleteIt dropped through the letterbox at noon today, so plenty of time to savour it over the coming days/weeks/etc. First impressions are that Can't Turn Back The Years and Heaven & Earth are the stand-out tracks, but it all fits together really nicely, and certainly no duff tracks.
Really nice artwork as well, but if I was to be picky, would have liked to have seen lyrics too.
Just got my copy this morning and i have to say its one of the best albums ive ever listened to by John , listening it for the second time already . not sure when i will be able to switch it off .. 10/10 . total complete album , well done everyone involved ,, *****
ReplyDeleteFirst impressions of whole album, trying to be objective and not swayed by sentiment: not his greatest, some songs meander a lot and lose a sense of identity (the first 3 to a lesser or greater extent, if I'm being honest - in contrast to others on here I think the title track is one of the weakest), but there are some standout tracks: 'Bad Company', 'Colour', and 'Willing to Work' are great songs, and the latter has some of the best lyrics on the album (I can see why... John wanted the album titled after this track originally). 'Could've told you...' is an unusual JM track - sounds jaunty! - but it's good. 'The Gambler' is possibly a grower, but not at all bad at this stage anyway, especially from a lyrical point of view, and the Collins track, although it sticks out as very different, is touching and, I think, John's vocal benefits from the tighter song structure than elsewhere. Overall, I'd place Cobbles and And above this, for example, but it's still got enough standout moments and familiar Big Man trademarks to make it a worthwhile album.
ReplyDeleteWell John you diod it again, a brilliant album that is different. I love the album but makes me so sad that there will no more, so sad. Many thanks to those who clearly worked ahrd to produce this great epitaph to one of the greatest musicians ever. Such soul in the album. I have just read a review in the Independant by now know nothing nitwit, why did he waste the ink.
ReplyDeleteJohn thanks for this last work of art, we all love you and your music. The world is a greyer place without you.
I came home from work, my lovely son ran to greet me and my sister asked me what was is the package. I opened it. "Its the new John Martyn album" I replied, quickly correcting myself "I mean the last John Martyn album". Just saying those words brought a tear to my eyes... The news of JM's passing, approximately 10 weeks after seeing him play for the last time was terribly sad, but to hold in my hands the last music he ever produced was profoundly moving. Whether he knew it or not when making it, this really IS John's goodbye. I'm afraid I have only briefly dipped into it so far. What I have heard reminds me of the wonderful looseness of Cooltide. I had not expected to have been so affected by receiving a CD through the post. I think it may take me a while to listen to it objectively. For the moment, it brought back the feelings I had on 29th January 2009: I miss him. Much love to you John and thanks for everything, Richard Homer
ReplyDeleteCould've Told You When I Met You - it took me a minute or nine to figure out what the production reminded me of- early Prefab Sprout actually
ReplyDeletePaddy
God bless you John.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bitter sweet feeling as I settled down to listen to the man's last awaited treasure on a quiet Sunday afternoon. But the first growls in the opening track 'Heel of the Hunt' soon brushed away the fact this was it, no more from my long time idol.
The vocals on the title track sound like a much younger John, with clarity, shining through, but with shades of gravel and Gizmo's in the fade out, ahh lovely. Johns' voice really comes clearly to the forefront of the bluesy music in The Gambler. I'm not sure what the reviewer from the Telegraph was talking about. I loved 'Can't Turn Back The Years' with great backing vocals from Phil, will they be some of his last I wonder? On 'Colour' there are faint hints of the echoplex and again great vocals. Whoopee whoop de do made me smile along with Gizmo on 'Willing To Work' another great track.
Well worth the wait. Johns' vocals for me, are some of the best maybe even better than On The Cobbles which takes some beating.
Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has diligently worked to produce a lasting musical tribute that delivers the essence of John in a quality recording, especially Garry Pollit, Jim Tullio, Spence, Phil Collins and Gizmo. That's enough now John, good groovin'. Geoff L.
Jamie Kelly:
ReplyDeleteNot a lot needed to be to added to the foregoing reviews other than to say one of his better collections of songs and great lyrics, a proper goodbye to you all "you bunch of B======s!" I felt he was saying just that, goodbye, in the only way he knew how, by penning and growling some of his best so far. Colour is my stand out track, "taking someones colours and leaving him with the blues", inspired, and quite a Glasgow comment!Miss him a lot, especially live, and mid heckle!!!
There is a feeling when hearing this that the edge is missing.But the background if you listen carefully,states differently...........\\\\\\\\\\\could have told you,Colours,willing to work are up there,maybe The Gambler is a grower not a show er. Sad that this is the last,but glad that there was life in Gizmo's dad still.
ReplyDeletePeace Love and Expenses Big man
What an exceptional album! The songs are inspired and the musicianship first class. As usual, we're drawn in by John's growl and gruff vocals - so laid back it suits the picture on the cover. I'd venture it's the best album since Solid Air - in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteSorely missed but always remembered.
Tony McKiernan.
Such a difficult album to review objectively, but after half a dozen plays I can truthfully say that my enjoyment has grown steadily with each listen. Believe me when I say that after hearing the pre-release snippets I wasn't expecting a great deal. But firstly it has to be said that Garry, Jim, Spencer, Teresa etc have done an excellent job in presenting these songs in the best way possible and should be thanked by all fans. There is something about John's voice that really works on this CD. Maybe a tiredness from the journey, maybe the voice of experience or perhaps just his humanity shining through. 'Could've told you' and 'Can't turn back' are instantly likeable, but it's songs such as 'Gambler', 'Heaven & Earth' and 'Colour' that will draw me back. My only minor criticism would be that this CD had a story behind it and I think the booklet could have given us so much more about how this album made it through. Well done to everyone - possibly his most consistent album since 'And'.
ReplyDelete"Could have told you" is so uplifting. Spicy man. Well done to all for such a fitting finale.
ReplyDeleteI know Its late but I took this long to listen, its a beatiful album, to appreciate John you have to listen to everything, hmm well to me anyway, the breadth of this man is unbelievable
ReplyDeleteIts beautiful and moving...everything that was great about John prolific gift
ReplyDeletePaul, Bristol
aaah!...ey up chaps...sorry it's been such a long time since i've been in touch...been doing lots of listening to the new stuff...and got a beautiful 'new' baby girl...so i've been quite busy of late... I have plenty to say about 'heaven and earth' and the tribute album...but not just yet...I just wanted to say, in respect of the tribute event that is about to happen, have a beautiful night, i am unable to be there - though I wish I could be...here's to you all, happy birthday johnny boy, much love to mama T and the boys in the band, I'll be thinking of you all...x
ReplyDeletetra la la laaaa...seems to be that time of year again...apologies for the lack of input re 'heaven and earth' and the tribute album...my kids are taking up all of my time these days...needless to say, 'heaven and earth' I think is beautiful, it has soothed my baby daughter on many occassions and it has soothed her daddy too!...the tribute record has, for me, good stuff and not so good stuff, but is, at least, interesting and engaging. The dvd has some beautiful footage of John, which I hope we are able to see more to see more of in the future. So...health and happiness to you all...I'm off to bed before the fireworks start...god bless...Will...x
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