Reviews (page 4 of 9)
Haven't heard of him before and I'm wondering how because this album is absolutely fantastic?? Like, wow. The jazzy, folky instrumentals are perfect for shit autumn weather 4/5
Nicht gut
this was ok for a melancholy morning. if I listened again I might get a James Taylor-like sense of insufferable smugness. for now I am rounding up to 3.
I thought about giving this a 2, because it obviously does have a lot of technical proficiency. But you only live once, and it’s hard to imagine something I would pick this over. Unless I was soundtracking a scene in a movie that was meant to make fun of the vibe of coffee shops in the late 90s. Then I might pick this.
Blusey in a way that I could appreciate.
First song did not do it for me but the rest was ok.
On a streak of albums I really don't care for. I couldn't take his mumbling for very long. On to the next.
Yeah, so that's an album. I used to think I had a mumbling problem. Turns out I'm just a rock star. Very different stuff on this one. He mentions it's fuelled by cocaine and mary-jane ... you can kind of tell.
Gentle, calm music. Enjoyed a lot.
a jazzy blusey nick drake, solid air is a sort of folk and soul combination that feels both effortless and deeply personal. the songwriting gives an air of late-night introspection, which alongside john martyn's almost slurred vocals, feels intimate and loose in the best possible way. 4.5/5
day 1: as if nick drake came out of the deep south, scrummy blend of loose acoustic folk, improvisational bluesy ballads and tight jazz-country tunes
Solid Air
Groovy, jazzy, bluesy, lots going on here. A very enjoyable listen for these ears.
Nice, then boring, then tiresome.
# 578 : Solid Air Solid Air – More Like Stale Breeze Clocking in under an hour, the best thing about this album is that it ends. It starts slow and dull—like watching grass grow, but without the beer or the satisfaction of lawn care. Not really my cup of tea, unless that tea is lukewarm and served with a side of confusion. Martyn mumbles through most of it like he’s trying to win a game of musical charades. The vibe? Imagine a yuppie couple dimming the lights and putting this on to set the mood. Now imagine trying to un-hear that. There are moments where I almost dig what’s going on, but they vanish faster than my interest. This album is all over the place, and none of those places are worth visiting. Verdict: ★ for brevity. File under “albums that make you grateful for the stop button.” Best Track (if you must): None worth mentioning. Listened: 29/09/2025
Dull folk- and jazz-inflected soft rock with affected hippy-dippy singing. Detours into some heavy post-"Tomorrow Never Knows" grooviosity on "I'd Rather Be The Devil" but for all of its bluster it leaves little impression.
Unbearably boring.
This was so up and down. Like every other song I was okay with. But there was a lot of shit too.
Great album all the way through. As solid as air.
stop mumbling!
A different sound of the 70s. Never really attracted enough attention, but this is good music.
Excellent music flows across the entire LP, good for Chill-out
3.5
I’m thinking John Martyn is like the Captain Beefheart of Eric Claptons.
Great album, very chill and jazzy and cool. This is like, prime male singer-songwriter for me.
Forgettable
Really into the first couple songs but it kinda lost me a little after that
Higher end of 3, but didn't stand out enough from other 70s singer/songwriter music.
Fine enough album. Didn't do too much for me, but was still decent. There were different styles that kept it mildly interesting, but it wasn't like the fantastic 5/5 pinnacle of British folk that some people give to it. The first half is solid enough. The latter half just kinda peters out. I had high hopes based on this album's reputation, but I just don't see it. Maybe I'll revisit it later, maybe I didn't listen as attentively.
its absurdly good 3.5/5
Nope.
It’s alright
Wow, definitiv will ich mehr davon.
Absolutely loathe this style of vocals and I accidentally did two albums of jazz vocalists in a row, woops. This was perhaps to the detriment of John Martyn's rating. 1.5
dad music, heard this one so many times as a kid. probably liked it more now than i ever did then
I braced myself for this one because it was described as British folk, but I found a lot of rock and almost bluesy stylings in here to enjoy. A pleasant surprise.
Never heard of this artist. Interested to check this out. A little too soft and folky for me. Good stuff, good songwriting.
Surprise five stars. Had no idea what this would be - it was eclectic, interesting experimental…acoustic folk? It sounded much more modern than it is as well. Great chill record in the background or for a close listen. Loved it.
not exactly my jam but decent and very smooth
Never heard of John Martyn before but god damn what easy listening this was. A near perfect album
was nice enough for a listen Will I listen to again: 3%
John uses a variety of instrument to compose such amazing tunes. I really enjoyed this album and would definitely give it another listen.
Beautiful
Very cool and interesting record. It has a lot of nice music, mellow and haunting at times, but some groovy jazz vibes for sure. I liked this one a lot.
an incredibly soulful album, consisting of mainly guitar and bass led tracks. The lyrics are meant to mean something to people, and it envelops the listener with it's slow rhythm. Overall, definitely a strong 7.5-8/10, good album.
it is nice and chill
I listened to it. It was fine I guess
2/5 Never heard of John Martyn before plus I don't enjoy singer/songwriter acoustic music. This album seems forgettable, although pretty chill if being used as background music. There's not a single song that sticks out for me here. I'd rather listen to Clapton, America or Cat Stevens, all of them made considerably better music.
Kinda bangs
i liked the easy breezy aura of this, this is one of those albums you listen to on an evening drive when it's good vibes only as the sun sets on the horizon
okay this is not for me either LMFAO omg jk he started saying "i don't wanna know bout evil i wanna know bout love" and i really felt that damn.... jk this is not good again... jk dreams by the sea is good again. this is giving me whiplash
Nina Simone and Van Morrison had a love child! I'm not a fan of the modal riffing. But honestly, I think there's something here for everyone to dislike. His voice is fantastic with incredible range (both tonally and stylistically) and the music as a whole threatens, at times, to become interesting; but it consistently veers back into self-indulgence.
Get stoned, hit record. These jazz-folk mood pieces don't really go anywhere or give me much to grab on to, but they're nice nonetheless.
i love that Martyn pays tribute to Nick Drake but this album feels like a poor man’s Nick Drake.
Knew the name, if not the music. It's pretty bloody good, blurring the lines between folk, jazz and psychedelia with deft acuity and plenty of emotional depth. Superb sounding album which I am far too sober for!
I won't lie, I struggled to get through the first song. This almost felty comedic with Martyn seemingly babbling nonsense over airy, easy listening production.
This list introduced me to Martyn many albums ago, and I was thrilled to have another chance to deepen my appreciation for his unique brand of hypnotic, meditative jazz-folk-space rock.
I had never heard of John Martyn before I listened to this album. His type of jazz infused funky folk I have alwalys either felt hot or cold on. This one from the title track onward really grabbed me however. The tamber of his voice is something else, there is an element of Nick Drake softness here but also some Frank Zappa weirdness. The guitar work throughout is spare but in that is a beuty I really enjoyed. The way it moved modes was also really satisfying to my musical brain. I think I will return to this one a lot or maybe I am just very high on it in the moment. Standout tracks to me Solid Air, I'd Rather Be the Devil and Dreams by the Sea (excellent drums in that track).
favourite new listen so far!
Wasn't sure on it, seemed to NEARLY be something I'd love but missed the mark somehow - too simple and sentimental in a James Taylor way, but then both Go Down Easy and Dreams By The Sea were GREAT. So was May You Never. Love the wistful bits of The Man In the Station. Really interesting instrument towards the end of 'The Easy Blues' - can't figure out what it is. Love the faraway sound and echoing of the guitar in the live version of I'd Rather Be the Devil, "performed with heavy use of Martyn's Echoplex tape delay effect". Really exciting performance in general - didn't even recognise that it was the same song as earlier in the album. So STELLAR second half, with a great ending song (WHO KNEW IT COULD BE DONE FOR THIS LIST; I NEARLY DIDN'T)
i hadn’t heard of this artist but very much enjoyed this album! it fit my exhausted mood so well. it had nice chill songs but also more uptempo ones. good pacing and Loved all the sounds of the epic guitar technique, the acoustic bass and the electric piano. fave songs; don’t want to know may you never the man in the station my only complaint is sometimes the mumbly voice gets too mumbly for my taste, but i think it’s more a thing of getting used to it. most of the times it’s fine. 4.5/5
Good vibes, picks up towards the end
Boooooorrrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnngggggg
Sonically, this was very enjoyable - great production and instrumentation. Yet, I had to restart it 3 times because I kept getting distracted/more interested in listening to other music. :/
Good vibes
Another interesting album from John Martyn. This one is a mix of jazz, folk and blues that seamlessly manages to drift between the three genres. It's not quite mainstream but much more accessible than some of his other work I've heard. The title track was apparently written for Nick Drake shortly before he died. I think I'm intrigued enough by John Martyn's music that I should explore more of his discography one say.
First track sounds like Eric Clapton if he was trying to perform a song while eating a bowl of oatmeal.
Absolutely beautiful
The first song wasn't my vibe and the singers voice got really whiny at places but then a more up tempo songs was second and i was really digging it. Then the tempo slowed down again but the singer used a much lower voice as he continued for a few songs. Then back to the start. This album sure was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. A few really good songs, a bunch good songs, and then a some that just dragged my rating way down by how much I dislike them.
Meh, decent.
I'm not familiar with John Martyn. "Solid Air" is a really pleasant and relaxing song. I'm enjoying the acoustic guitar and the jazzy backing. The bassline on "Dreams By The Sea" is real nice. "May You Never" has some really pleasant guitar and vocals. The piano on "The Easy Blues" is great. This was a great album. My favorite songs were "Solid Air", "Over The Hill", "Dreams By the Sea", "The Easy Blues", and "May You Never". That's most of the record so it deserves a good score. 8/10
Idiot spelled Martin wrong
Soft rock / easy listening. Again, nothing offensive but nothing stood out either.
i liked this a lot. sometimes his voice reminded me of hozier, but like if he was accompanied by steely dan or some other 70s coke head
2.3.
This is the 479th album I've listened to, and so far this is my least favorite. Personal enjoyment: 1/5 Relevance to this list: 2/5
This album isn't the kind of music I normally listen to, but I found it quite engaging. I think John Martyn's vocals may be a bit of an acquired taste and I'll probably revisit this album.
Good
First thought was Nick Drake. Little dodo I know that the album was written for Drake and he and Martyn were friends. Also picked up on on fusion of varieties of genres… folk, jazz, blues, rock. This is a really good record that I’d never heard of and probably wouldn’t have listened to but for this project.
This is fine and dandy, but was it really needed to be heard before I die? I don't think so. 3/5 stars because the music is fine, the singing is a bit mumbly and gives me a bit of PTSD from Nick Cave *shudder*
Atmosphärisch, aber überbewertet. Die Mischung aus Folk, Jazz und Blues wirkt stellenweise ziellos. Die Stimme und Echoplex-Effekte sind Geschmackssache. Emotional, ja – aber nicht jeder findet Zugang.
Мимо кассы.
But too slow. Wasn't really in the mood for it. Might be better with the right mood.
Sounds like if you went to a bar and there was a crappy Nick Drake knockoff playing. You don’t say anything, you just finish your drink and leave to avoid hearing the rest of the set.
I had never heard of John Martyn before. Solid songs. Enjoyed!
Very chill album, jazzy at times but not in the (for me so far) annoying over the top freestyle. I like this.
By the fourth track, John Martyn's voice was getting on my nerves so much that I stopped listening to the album. I don't think we're going to be friends. 2/5
Pretty interesting, I think I liked this one more than his other album on here. Don't have a deep knowledge of folk to understand how this fits into the bigger picture Rating: 3.0
2,3/5
Hit and Miss, with many more misses than hits. Didn't really care too much for the straight folk stuff, but the Jazz and Blues influenced songs weren't bad.
Great stuff
Ahh nice enough. Simpsons: No
No big hitters, but it wasn't unbearable.
Another Solid One
I liked this. New to me!
Tepid.
Not a fan of this. It just felt a bit too Dave Matthews Band for me. Only song I liked was Over the Hill.
Kind of a let down
Might’ve liked it more if I wasn’t doing yard work when I listened to it
Thought I’d like more, maybe we’ll stick better on more listens
Meh. I only really enjoyed this in so far as it was the album immediately after throbbing gristle… Mostly, I think this album is meandering and simply OK..
Right about now the funk soul brother, check it out now the funk soul brother!
You know, whenever I get an album from an artist I've gotten albums from before (a "repeat artist" as I've taken to calling them), I always find myself thinking about whether this album count of theirs on the list is deserved. A second Depeche Mode album? Hell yeah! A second Undertones album? Ew, no. Sometimes it's obvious like that. But then you get interesting cases like John Martyn. This is my second album of his, after getting One World in March of this year. I'm not exactly sure that John Martyn needs two albums on this list, but I can't say that I'm upset that he has them. They've both been good, haven't they? However, I'd still probably remove one of them. Which one? Well, after listening to both of them, it's definitely not Solid Air, that's for sure. One World was good and all, but Solid Air is great. Why do I like this album as much as I do? Well, and I may be biased here, but the Nick Drake influence is noticeably stronger here. Despite the fact that I have yet to listen to his beloved swansong Pink Moon, Nick Drake has been one of my favorite discoveries of the 1001 Albums project even through his first 2 albums alone. So, to hear that this guy was influenced by him due to their friendship is pretty nice. Clearly the two had things in common, as they're both pretty talented. The instrumentation on this album is wonderful. It's fairly soft, but also full and even a little rich at times. I like it. Some of the album's songs take a more elegant approach, including the excellent title track, while others like "Dreams By The Sea" are a bit jazzy and I like that too. The songwriting is fairly strong. It's got some good emotion to it while also being engaging. I will say that I'm still not huge on John Martyn's singing. It's not bad, especially on this album, but it's also not my favorite thing in the world. I definitely prefer Nick Drake's style of singing. Overall, Solid Air is definitely fitting of its name, because it is a very solid album, if not stronger than that. I can definitely see why this is on the list. Solid Air get a solid 4/5.
I enjoy this a lot. Soft rock with great guitar picking. It’s not the most unique or original sounding album, but I’d spin this on occasion. Mellifluous shit. 4/5
Boring
2 - just feels like it’s trying too hard
I like this a lot but don't think I can give it 5* due to the experimental track in the idle, which drags too long, and the odd song about jelly rolls. It's good though, May You Never and Over The Hill are folk rock staples and I'd never heard the whole album before so it was cool to hear the jazz influenced bits as well
Finally, some good fucking guitar.
The first song had me cringing and worried that I was going to have to listen to an entire album of that crap. The rest of the songs weren't as bad but honestly the album is not memorable
liked it. immediatly after came a joni mitchell song, it fits.
Not my cuppa, but solid musicianship.
Pretty... Solid. Badumtsk
This was a surprise. I found this simply enjoyable and interesting. Folsy and jazzy, chill but not boring. I enjoyed how he used his vocals. 5 stars for the surprise.
Very, very nice. Right up my alley in terms of this genre
Interesting
I wasnt familiar with John Martyn going into this album. It's not really my cup of tea, both in tone and subject matter. The instrumentation was skillful, but I didnt really get any hits I was looking for. Overall- not bad, but not for me. Probably around a 2.5/5
Just a delightful singer/songwriter album with wonderful story telling and a solid but airy (hyuk hyuk..) production. This is the kind of thing I'd put on while sipping coffee, sitting in my back yard on a mild spring morning
The vocals were distractingly bad. The musicianship and writing deserved better vocals.
Almost wrote this album off but this second song is great. After finishing the album, I only really liked the second song.
First time listen. I enjoyed it more than expected.
Day 1 album, ratings definitely not calibrated yet- Cover Art 10/10, true classic. Experimental album for sure; if you were a session guy who could play marimba/vibes you were getting paid in this era. Jazz/Prog inspired over a folk/blues foundation. Emotionally, I know that the title track has greater meaning due to its dedication to Nick Drake. However, this is a rare case where title track isn't musically the anchor- definitely parts I enjoyed, but the mumbled vocals can be a little rough. Unfortunately there were multiple spots along the album where the mumbled vocals had a hard time being carried by the instrumentals along the way, no matter how good. Over the Hill is the real standout track- it leans back fully on the folk and absolutely nails it. This song belongs on every playlist of the genre. May You Never is the only other track that does this, but doesn't hit nearly as strong. Don't Want to Know is a strong follow up that leans more blues with occasional spacy backdrops. Layered vocals near the end really sells it for me. A lot of the rest of the album leans more into the prog/experimental sounds, but I only end up liking certain parts of songs instead of entire tracks. For example, the strongest part of the Devil Got My Woman cover for me is the instrumental breakdown at the back end of the track, and even that sort of falls apart with about 30 seconds left. The common theme is that a lot of the great instrumentals just don't match the lyricism and straight folk-style vocals, which leaves me skipping around for the good parts. The Man in the Station may secretly be the best track on the album as it successfully combines all of the elements that Martyn plays with throughout. It feels like prog, blues, and folk sounds all take turns while Martyn sings with a cadence that reminds me of (weird take, but hear me out) Sade while the song ebbs and flows in and out of a Pink Floyd track. (Cheating, but the 2000 album re-release ends with a live version of I'd Rather Be the Devil that completely redeems the earlier studio version for me) Liked: Over the Hill, Don't Want to Know, The Man in the Station, *I'd Rather Be the Devil (Live) Disliked: I'd Rather Be The Devil, Dreams By the Sea, The Easy Blues Going with a 3, may regret not giving it a 4 later
mellow
Very beautiful. As a piece of work you really can't fault it but for me hits a 4.5
No thanks, sweet message tho
Not for me…
Mumbling through cultural appropriation.
A ramshacle drunk, bar Tom Waites possibly, has never sounded to diverse and brilliant as Martyn on this album. The title track is the summer definitive chill soon yet elsewhere we have pure pop sensibility and wailing like a banshee. An undisputred absolute classic.
This was just a little too chill and whiny tor me.
Good album, more hits than misses. I like the jazz inspired tunes more than the blues or rock inspired songs. 7/10
Had never heard John Martyn before this. Another artist I am so glad to be introduced to through this project. The mix of folk, jazz, blues and fusions in combination made for a great album. Heard some foreshadowing of Hozier in “I’d Rather be the Devil”. I’ll be listening to more.
Had only heard the song "Solid Air" before and this album is a revelation. Liked it so much that I listened to the deluxe version with alternate takes. Great songs, distinctive voice, and one of the best of the British folk rock albums of its time.
Probably the best thing I'd never heard that the generator has introduced me to so far. Expert guitar work, intriguing folky forays into jazz and blues, really cool collection of songs
Very dreary yet atmospheric, haven’t listened to this before despite knowing the music of John Martyn. Giving a 4.5.
It was OK. Experimental, but average music.
I expected to like this a bit more. Some alternative takes on the deluxe edition were more enjoyable than those that ended up on the album.
A nice voice with some pretty good backing music. Some of the songs got a bit repetitive and could have been cut shorter. 7/10
lovely blues folk album
11/1001 :: John Martyn - Solid Air Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Rating: 2 Fav Tracks: Over The Hill, Dreams by the Sea I don’t know… I never heard of this album or artist before. There were some Nick Drake / Amigo The Devil type things going on here but honestly I listen to a lot of music like this and frankly I just didn’t find this one that interesting. Some cool acoustic guitar work with some atmospheric elements sprinkled in but I think if the music is gonna be this sparse the vocal needs to be more captivating. Maybe if I spent more time with it I’d find things to love but I got 990 more albums to go…
Very enjoyable, not least was realizing Beth Orton was covering his “Don’t Want to Know.” I love serendipity.
This album felt all over the place for me.
Pretty interesting end result of jazzy and progressive influence combined with blues and folk fusion. I liked it, I don't think I'll go back to it anytime soon. But also production sounds super fresh, and the overall end result sounds modern as heck.
Solid acoustic rock
Better than Coldplay
There's something so good about this that I can't quite figure out. I think this is the first time I've heard an album on here and decided I need to buy the record. There's a chilled, calming quality to the singers voice that makes it unique
First listen
Kinda good, kinda uninteresting.
It was alright.
se tiver mais um dia de folk nesse site eu vo ficar louco CHEGA
bom eh normal né. melhor que o outro desse mano que apareceu uns dias pra trás aí eh um folk jazzistico (?), mas eu dobro e passo pro próximo
I am not much of a folk guy, but this guy does some pretty nice folk music. I was really thinking I was going to give this a 4 but then he started doing his impression of a blues singer. He really should have stuck to his strengths because the blues songs are truly awful. High 3.
A pretty solid album, definitely enjoyed some of the more acoustic tracks and appreciated the experimentation on the other ones. I’m pretty curious to check on more of this kind of stuff, there’s something different about the singer songwriter in the 1970s to me with their acoustic guitars and everything. I think solid three out of five is sufficient.
Soljuu hyvin läpi levyn, pidän yhtenäisyydestä. Ei käy tylsäksi, kun mitta on maltillinen. Tulee sopivia nostatuskohtia. Synkkyyttä, mutta ei valotonta.
Viitteitä hyvä mausta. Valitettavasti myös viitteitä halusta välittää kuulijoille transsendenttejä kokemuksia.
ehhh
Experimental folk, some of it works, some is just weird. 2
That air sure is solid. Lovely throughout
Not a JM fan apart from this.
John Martyn has always been musically my friend
I liked this and I'm surprised it's from the 70s! Sounds very similar to some music from the 2010s I like.
first track lost me, Over The Hill grabbed me and shook my shoulders. Gave me a vibe of Stop This Train by John Mayer so maybe thats why I liked it. More hits than misses for me here, I usually dont like this kinda wispy singing and guitar noodling but I actually enjoyed this. Its just a little too low energy for too long.
The album cover for this album is the perfect description for it. Just a hand through air with no real lasting impact. Totally fine!
Dope, folk with jazz and psychedelic stuzy
These are some very nice keys right here.
Really cool vibe, would like to return. 3.5
British folk rock is it's own weird thing. I'd listened to this one before based on a glowing review. He was a good friend of Nick Drake and their styles cross over from time to time. Nice record
Fine background vibe music.
Every song felt like it took me through a different genre. Went from jazzy, to folky, to kinda psychedelic, to Americana, and a little blues?
There is some quite nice stuff on this album. It is very creative, spanning a lot of different music styles. You need to listen to it a couple of time to see the value but it's worth it.
Really liked this one! Had a mix of jazzy and folk sounds which I'm always game for. Song picks: Solid Air Over the Hill Go down easy
love the bass through this piece and the blues work well.
2.5 stars
This fella is bad at singing.
This album just did nothing for me. It isn't bad per se, but very forgettable.
Ok. I've listened to it only as I decided to listen to every album. It is truly not what I like. Some of the music was good for me, but his singing was an ordeal as was the experience listening to the album but, hey, I listened through. I hope noone ever invites me to have a smoke and listen to it as I would be stuck in an eternal hell.
A slow start. An eclectic mix. Jazzy, bluesy, folky. Refreshingly different. Mumbles quite a bit but has a smooth tone.
This is a headphone-on, eyes-closed kind of trip. Slides somewhere between folk and jazz and stoner blues. He mumbles a lot. It's tender; every track kind of dissolves at the end. Worth it. Spins: 4 Playlist Additions: - Solid Air - Over The Hill - May You Never - The Man In The Station
I'll get to the point. I think it's overrated. This is an interesting and pleasant album, but it's not a masterpiece.
It's respectful of Nick Drake, but it's definitely not Nick Drake. Appreciation the acknowledgement, but I don't know why it's a top 1000.
Yes
I'm not sure what this album was trying to do. It was nice at times, but it also came and went, 3*
Drunk rambling over elevator music doesn’t deserve one spot on this list, let alone two.
nice and sweet, a little jazzy and crazy with it, what more do you really want
There are a lot of very fun sounds in the first couple of songs. Strong blues vibes
Hated the vocals, and the coffee-table-jazz and blues influenced singer/songwriter-music didn’t do much to rectify the situation.
Solid silver.
followed through
Ekkert að þessu, en ekki mikið í þessu heldur.
Áhugavert.
Never heard of this artist before. Its ok, different. There are a lot of songs on this album that remind me of other artist of the 1970's. Lots of yacht rock artists must have listened to this guy...
This was good pleasant listening but nothing grabbed my attention very well. Instrumentation was pretty great but I think the vocals kind of smoothed everything over and not in a good way (but good voice)
This reminded me of the first time I listened to Lee Hazlewood, rarely do you get to listen to an artist for the first time and have them scratch almost every musical itch that you have. I think this is what I wanted Nick Drake to be when I was listening to him earlier in the process. 4/5 for now with the chance to grow into a 5 with time.
A blend of groovy jazz, folk, blue, and rock. Neat
Weird shit singer
I know I should consider these albums in isolation but I've had so many average albums lately. Plz give me something better than 'okay'.
I actually rather liked this, but had to deduct a star due to his lousy singing voice.
A little bit of funk from the 70s, kinda jazzy, sounded maybe a bit more ahead of its time than I expected. Very clean sounding.
The third album from English singer/guitarist John Martyn, many of these tracks sound like something you’d hear at the local nightclub. Sort of a mixture of jazz and soft rock. Overall it’s pleasant listening. Occasionally it was hard to understand the lyrics.
Solid air, huh? Nice font. Very literary. The titular song was written for Nick Drake, and it sounds a little bit like him, so that's nice. Unfortunately, this album is sooooo mellow. Bit of a snoozefest. Found it hard to believe the line "can't get enough of sweet cocaine", coming from such an artist. I thought the second half was a bit stronger. I enjoyed taking literally the lyrics of the paean to a jelly roll baker. Highlights: 'Dreams by the Sea', 'May You Never', 'The Man in the Station'
This was really pretty. I really liked the guitar work
I really liked this. Super easy listening, but a lot of depth and character, and a very timeless sound.
A really smooth album that highlights Martyn’s talents as a singer songwriter. I liked”Over the Hill” and “The Easy Blues” who ch can go toe to toe with almost any early 70s blues/folk.
“The Man In The Station” é uma música que já conhecia e gostava bastante. “Over The Hill” também (tem algo nessa música que me faz lembrar o ursinho Pooh, diga-se de passagem). No geral, álbum bem criativo e gostoso de ouvir.
This album is why I am doing this experiment. The vocals were awesome, the instrumentation was strong. It covered folk, blues, touches of funk. Absolutely loved this one.
Woahhh, love the guitar, title track is awesome. Enjoyed the album quite a bit. Over the hill is a bop
Pretty uneven album to me. Like, it doesn't blend together like a lot of 3 stars, but it's reeeally up and down on what appeals to me. Still, some good stuff.
Having a really hard time rating this one properly. I loved it all the way through but nothing specific grabbed out at me, and the vocalist - despite having a very lovely voice - was completely gibberish to my ears for most of the way through. I'm excited to return to this one eventually.
Sublime! Very breezy listen, with a great mixture of jazzy and folky vibes mixed in with some great rock songwriting.
I don’t think weird ass albums like this are must-listens at all. Felt like a waste of time. There were some slightly interesting parts of very few songs but nothing made me want to ever listen to it again.
A couple of times I thought to myself, "perhaps this is the album that gets me to enjoy the folk genre". Songs like Over the Hill were very enjoyable, and mixed with some more jazzy elements on other tracks consistently kept it fresh. Ultimately I'm not quite there yet with the genre, but this was one of the better examples of it I've had. Not a bad listen!
Ugh this was so good. Loved the alternating of straightforward folk tracks with more experimental cross genre stuff. Despite what a lot of people said I loved his voice. I will return to this many times.
Not really my type. Too jazzy
Muy bueno
Finally something interesting. Instant diggage
Interesting but not that interesting
Best songs: Dreams By the Sea, The Man In The Station
nemas pojma krlo
Ovo je jako hvLjem album ali ja bih rekao da je prije svega solidan hehe (gulp!)
Bang average. Absolutely bang average. Would struggle to remember a single note of this album in an hour.
приятные оступления в джаз + то ли так быстро в голову легло, то ли логично, то ли я слышала, но одна прям знакомая показалась, изз олрайт
this is pretty damn good but it also kinda feels like grandma lake house music to me. not a diss or a compliment it just has that very specific vibe to it
Langeweile in der krassesten Form!
Gorgeous acoustic guitar and a sweetly expressive if limited and nasal voice. The song that sound like Nick Drake is great, the ones that sound like Fairport Convention or Cat Stevens aren't. Some nice funky jazzy moments from the electric piano and electric guitar/sax interplay that goes from poppy Stevie Wonder to dark fusion groove. Get that flute out of here though! Slow and relaxed, warm feeling but pretty sombre thematically. Favorites: over the hill, rather be the devil, dreams by the sea, man in the station
Wow! I am surprised how much I really like album. Good stuff. The original of May You Never is way better than Clapton’s version. Ok I had to listen to it again. The first go I was doing yard work and completely focused on the lyrics and the nuances. Upon second listen WOW!!! I can’t give this album praise! Truly a case of me finding an artist when I’m ready for them.
This didn't do much for me on an initial listen, so I listened to it again, and it still didn't do much for me. I dunno, I'm generally a fan of a lot of types of music, but this felt listless... I suspect people who like it think that it's soulful, but it doesn't have much energy.
I don't know if it's because of the remastering, but the mixdown was odd. Several instruments were far too present in the foreground. Then his voice was somewhere in the middle. This bothered me more than his vocalization or folk/jazz fusion, which I didn't particularly like.
Considering I really hated the other album from him on the list, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. “Over The Hill” and “May You Never” were the top tracks for me, but there were things I enjoyed about all the songs. John Martyn’s voice does grate on me a bit, but I could overlook that here. A solid (pun intended) effort!
I’ve previously spotted a genre of music best described as albums to be played during dinner parties in the 80s. Well, this album sounds like the sort of thing that would be played at *those* sort of parties in the 1970s. You know, the ones with men with droopy moustaches and flares, and women in inappropriate kaftans, where they all put their car keys in a bowl at the end of the night. This is weirdly bonkers semi improvised jazz/funk/folk that makes no sense whatsoever.
This is a strange record, sometimes jazzy, sometimes folk, sometimes something that might have been experimental for the time of its release. Some parts are nice, some really boring, it's really uneven, and I'm not sure what I really think of it yet.
Kinda a vibe, love the upright bass. Sadly the singer has the rubber jaw curse and can't pronounce his words (looking at you Pearl Jam)
fine
Solid Air feels like a good description.
Over the hill is my favorite on here. The rest was kind of schizophrenic.
Not a bad album but I’m a bit perplexed as to why it’s on the list. The gentle guitar and vocals on most tracks makes for a great dylanesque sound. The lyrics are real and delivered straightforward weaving a story to the music. The album shifts to more blues at the end but still flows smoothly. Favorite songs are “Dreams By The Sea”, Over the Hill”, and “The Easy Blues”.
Loved the music. Not so much the vocals. At times they were ok, but he seems to purposely not enunciate on certain songs, and it distracts from the music. I'm assuming that was his artistic choice, but it just didn't work for me. Really wanted to like this one, because like I said, the band was kicking.
I had previously never heard of John Martyn. This was a good album, I enjoyed the style changes of the songs, which kept me interested until the end. Favorites, the title track, Solid Air, Don't Want to Know, I'd Rather Be the Devil (which is a cover song) and the Easy Blues is a good closing track.
No harm to John Martyn, the albums fine But why has he got 2 albums on this list? I think one is fairly generous with some of the omissions, but 2 is overkill Screw it just put his whole discography on there like he's the beatles Man really likes jam
Probably not bad if I was alone with a woman but I’m not so ……
Not really a fan of his voice, but the music is great. Smooth shit, love it
Interesting
Lots of soul and emotion. Quite a good one.
What a journey of musical styles and genre-blending tracks. This album had some fun highs (I'd Rather Be the Devil) and some slow lows (Solid Air), but overall, it was a pleasant listen to kick off this Tuesday.
This guy sounds happy, glad he's singing songs reflecting that...
Not really sure of what to make of this. It's interesting and deserves a second look.
First track was .making me think what the hell is this? But I started to like it track by track and will definitely give it another listen. Headphones is a must.
Nick Drake was an artist so enigmatic that he has a song ABOUT him. And what a good friend in John Martyn, to make such a thoughtful single about his friend. This is kinda like what a lively lounge album should aim to be. A bit of acoustica, a bit of free-form percussion. Airy, soulful vocals. The occasional musical tangent, like the midway point of "I'd Rather Be The Devil", which get pleasantly trippy and experimental all at once. I really enjoyed the journey that song took me on. It hit me, during this song, that this all sounds surprisingly timeless for something from 1973 (outside of those Shaft-style guitar grooves on "Dreams By The Sea"). Same thing applies for the album cover though! Not that it matters, but I do think it's worth noting when a piece of art defies or removes itself from the tropes of it's time of creation. To stay on the same point in the track listing of the album, I think the transition from "I'd Rather Be The Devil" to "Go Down Easy" locked my attention in a bit more. Something about how smooth the transition was, the use of space and quiet ambiance, it was all really impactful. It's a shame this sequencing shows the least amount of plays on spotify for this record, it's some amazing work. On the note of spotify plays, the masses got it all wrong the whole way through this album. "The Man In The Station" deserves more than the 5th most popular song from Solid Air. The mumbly, buttery-smooth delivery of that step-down melody in the verses is stellar. If I could come up with some sort of signature award to give out for my listening experiences on this list, it's my "instant replay" award - where I stop the tracklisting from playing out like normal to replay a song immediately - "The Man In The Station" gets my instant replay award. Bossa nova inspired brilliance! My rating on this is hard to pin down. I think most of the easily accesible acoustic guitar ballads on this are just kinda ho-hum, especially the closer. But when John Martyn let's his creative inclinations run off into different directions, this album elevates to something special. Tracks 3-5 and track 8 really did it for me. Soft 4/5 stars. Nice hidden gem here!
John Martyn's "Solid Air" is fundamentally a folk album, infused with elements of jazz, blues, and ethereal rock, characterized by extended instrumental passages. While the album has a decent assortment of songs, showcasing impressive guitar performances and a variety of rhythms and tempos, it is ultimately somewhat bland. I would not choose to listen this album again, not due to its overall quality, but rather because it is just not that interesting.
This was good. I loved the bluesiness of it man! And shit he covered Portishead's Glory Box!? That one is dope AF! but this album gets 3 stars.
A couple good tracks, but overall not my style
This gives me Nick Drake vibes.
He's good, no doubt. I'm just not a fan of this style.
Very good
I was thinking a lot about what to give this one, but after listening to the deluxe, I have to say this is amazing. Every song was pretty much great. It was just varied enough to not get boring and it had a LOT to offer. A bunch of different vibes and genres mixed together. I like his voice and the MIXING omg its so good. Low to mid 5 easily
Beautiful.
This is a wonderful discovery. This album transcends folk and touches on some adjacent genres to great effect. Each track varies from pretty good to great, but my favorites were "The Man in the Station" and "Dreams by the Sea."
This is a masterpiece. It is blues with a flair of jazz. Folk with a dose of psychadelia. There sre several moments throughout that made me stop everything and just listen, for example the last 3 mins of I'd Rather Be the Devil. And at only 34 minutes, there isn't a wasted moment. Other standouts here are the title track, Don't Want to Know, Dreams by the Sea, May You Never, and both Blues songs at the end. Really such an easy listen, I loved the whole album.
I'm reminded of a scene in the movie adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs the Word a lot of times while listened to this. Which scene? The part where Brandon Roth's character says "sounds like someone want's to get... funky."
May You Never has been deeply entrenched in my soul for my entire life, not entirely sure why. I think it used to be played on the radio in Ireland a bit. Rest of the album is chill, chill, chill. 3.5 stars but I'll round down.
I think I found the first number rap album. I'm digging the ambiance. Ok it's the classic first track doesn't sound like the whole album.It's like experimental jazz had a baby with a folk singer. I get what he is going for but it's not landing for me. Usually albums have a flow to them, this album would be better on random I think. The first track is jarring compared to the rest of it. The B side is far better than the A side for me. Overall this album is just an experiment to experience. It's worth a listen although I don't think I'm going to revisit this album.
This was a very subdued listening experience. Very folky, with some jazz at times, blues at others, and even a sprinkle of rock and country. Overall I didn’t dislike the album, but it also didn’t do much for me either. It just kind of was an experience that happened, and not one where I want to hear it again, or search for other music by John Martyn. 2.5 / 5
I don’t know why but I expected terrible ambient electro. Not something that sometimes sounds like Nick Drake, the next like jazz. I liked most of this, there were the odd times it strays into the background, and I dont like the way he sings the Easy Blues in a cliched accent, but other than that I enjoyed this. 3.5, but I reckon I’ll be back so I’ll round it up
Listened to this while dozing on a train which admittedly isn't giving it the best opportunity but it turned out to be a great choice for this. Nice acoustic background music. The second to last song was my favourite, quite technical, the rest blended into one a bit (my fault) but I enjoyed it. Will probably come back at some point when I need some background blues. 3.5.
Walks a fine line between entertaining, and entertainingly miserable. Got a lot more into it the more I listened - May You Never was lovely. Go Down Easy and The Man in the Station also stood out. Probably a stronger second half. Seems like he lived life the hard way.
Never heard of this guy and had no idea what to expect. Was good though! Almost reminded me of van Morrison in parts, maybe nick Drake too. Either way, it was good. But kinda ethereal 3.5
84/100. Solid Air by John Martyn is amazing, blending folk and jazz with effortless grace. The fusion is executed perfectly, resulting in an album that’s both atmospheric and deeply engaging. It’s incredibly smooth, with a warm, laid-back vibe.
I'm easily convinced to give some experimental folk music a try, so I enjoyed this for the most part. I wish there was more of a flow to the album though. Solid Air, Over The Hill, and Don't Want To Know make for a strong start, but I'd Rather Be The Devil as the next song in the album was like waking up from a delightful nap before the alarm goes off and not being able to doze back off again. Go Down Easy did its best to lull me back to sleep (in a good way, I like that song), but I never quite got back to that dreamy state of mind.
Funkar bra som bakgrundsmusik
Surprisingly good l! Never really heard of John Martin or this album. Reminding me a little bit of Nick Drak. Got down a rabbit hole in a good way… this is why I like this platform.
Gear: ZMF Bokeh Artwork: 🤚🔮⬛ Production (2000 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🎸🌊🌫️ Rating: 🔮🔮🔮🔮(🔮)/5
A couple of good songs, some ok. Not bad but not sure I’d listen again
I adore this record.
that’s a classic to me <33
## Review of *Solid Air* by John Martyn John Martyn's *Solid Air* (1973) is widely regarded as a landmark in British folk music, blending elements of jazz, blues, and avant-garde experimentation into a deeply emotive and timeless record. Below is an in-depth review focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a balanced discussion of its pros and cons. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics of *Solid Air* are poetic, introspective, and emotionally profound. The title track, written for Martyn’s friend Nick Drake, encapsulates themes of empathy and emotional suffocation: “Don’t know what’s going wrong inside… living on solid air”[1][3]. While the song’s meaning is elusive, it resonates universally as a meditation on mental health and human connection. Martyn’s ability to craft lyrics that are simultaneously personal and ambiguous allows listeners to project their own experiences onto the songs. Other tracks like “May You Never” offer optimism and warmth through simple yet heartfelt lines. This song became a signature piece for Martyn and was later covered by Eric Clapton[3]. On “Don’t Want to Know,” Martyn juxtaposes love against materialism and evil with lines that remain prescient decades later: “I don’t want to know ’bout evil / Only want to know ’bout love”[1][4]. His lyrical approach often avoids overt explanations, letting the listener interpret the songs’ deeper meanings. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Solid Air* is a masterpiece of texture and tone. Martyn’s use of the Echoplex tape delay effect creates a dreamy, otherworldly soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. Tracks like “I’d Rather Be the Devil,” his reimagining of Skip James’ “Devil Got My Woman,” showcase this experimental edge with warped distortion and hypnotic rhythms[3][4]. Danny Thompson’s double bass plays a crucial role in shaping the album’s sonic identity. His interplay with Martyn’s guitar creates a fluid foundation for the songs, blending jazz influences with folk sensibilities[2][4]. The saxophone contributions by Tony Coe add depth to tracks like “Dreams by the Sea” and the title track[2]. The album seamlessly transitions between genres—folk, blues, jazz—without losing its cohesive emotional core. Martyn’s voice is another standout feature. His husky delivery conveys vulnerability and raw emotion, whether he’s singing about love or existential despair. He uses his voice as an instrument, slurring words and humming melodies to evoke feelings beyond what the lyrics alone can express[1][4]. --- ### **Production** Recorded over just eight days in late 1972, *Solid Air* exemplifies artistic economy without sacrificing quality. The live recording approach gives the album an organic feel, capturing moments of spontaneity among the musicians. Producer John Wood ensured clarity while allowing Martyn’s experimental tendencies to shine through[3][4]. The production emphasizes timbre and texture over traditional song structures. Instruments like double bass, saxophone, guitar effects, and even moments of silence are carefully balanced to create extraordinary soundscapes[2]. Despite its complexity, the album never feels overproduced; instead, it retains an intimate atmosphere that draws listeners into its world. --- ### **Themes** The central themes of *Solid Air* revolve around love, loss, mental health, and human connection. The title track serves as an empathetic ode to Nick Drake but also speaks universally about emotional struggles[1][3]. Tracks like “May You Never” radiate hopefulness and warmth—a counterbalance to the darker moments on the album. Martyn’s exploration of love is nuanced; songs like “Don’t Want to Know” highlight his yearning for purity amidst chaos[1][4]. Even in his cover of “I’d Rather Be the Devil,” there’s an underlying tension between darkness and catharsis. These themes make *Solid Air* deeply introspective yet relatable. --- ### **Influence** *Solid Air* has had a lasting impact on British folk and beyond. It marked a turning point in Martyn’s career where he transcended traditional singer-songwriter boundaries[1]. His innovative use of guitar effects influenced countless artists in folk and rock genres. Eric Clapton’s cover of “May You Never” brought wider recognition to Martyn’s songwriting prowess[3]. The album also served as a precursor to more experimental works by artists who sought to blend folk with jazz or electronic elements. Martyn’s dedication of *Solid Air* to Nick Drake added poignancy to its legacy. Both artists struggled with personal demons but created timeless music that continues to resonate with audiences decades later[4]. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Innovative Sound:** The fusion of folk, jazz, blues, and experimental techniques makes *Solid Air* stand out as a genre-defying record. 2. **Emotional Depth:** The lyrics are introspective yet universal, offering profound insights into love, loss, and mental health. 3. **Exceptional Musicianship:** Contributions from Danny Thompson (double bass), Tony Coe (saxophone), and others elevate the album’s musical complexity. 4. **Timeless Quality:** The production ensures that the album remains fresh even after decades. 5. **Cohesion:** Despite its genre-blending nature, every track feels part of a unified artistic vision. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Ambiguity:** Some listeners may find Martyn’s cryptic lyrics frustrating or difficult to interpret. 2. **Experimental Edge:** While innovative, tracks like “I’d Rather Be the Devil” may alienate those expecting traditional folk arrangements. 3. **Short Length:** At just 34 minutes long, some may wish for more material given its brilliance. 4. **Mood Variability:** The shifts between uplifting tracks (“May You Never”) and darker ones (“Solid Air”) might feel jarring for some listeners. --- ### Conclusion John Martyn’s *Solid Air* remains one of the most profound offerings in British folk music history. Its blend of lyrical depth, musical innovation, and emotional resonance ensures its place as a timeless masterpiece. While not without minor drawbacks—such as its brevity or occasional ambiguity—the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Ultimately, *Solid Air* is more than an album; it is an experience—a journey through love, loss, experimentation, and timeless artistry that continues to inspire musicians and touch listeners’ hearts decades after its release.
There were some parts of this I really liked, but if I wanted to listen to this genre/period I'd listen to something else. Addendum - I stand by the above, but his cover of Glory Box is great
Not really my jam, it’s fine, but that’s about it. Skilled musicians, but overall it’s not very memorable for me.
It's fine? The musicianship is good, though parts of this album do sound similar to early Steely Dan (which is just as bad as later Steely Dan). My biggest issue was the dude's voice. I don't know if it was the cadence or just the sound, but I didn't like it when he was singing. I won't be back to hear this one again.
Not for me. I listened to the entire album, but I couldn't tell you a single thing about any individual song.
хороший мегаприятный уже опытный и бывалый блюз семидесятых
When this popped up, I’ll admit I had never heard of John Martyn or Solid Air. I had no idea what to expect — but let’s see. I liked it. Enough to listen again and explore more of his back catalogue. The album has a serious, dark tone, but it’s still an easy and enjoyable listen. I especially love the rich, dark vocals. The production is excellent — it’s hard to believe this was made in 1973; it feels surprisingly modern. Favorite song: Every track was enjoyable, but I particularly liked the opening two — Solid Air and Over the Hill. Least favorite: There isn’t a bad track on the album. Album artwork: Cool cover.
So damn chill
Might not listen again, but i liked it more than i thought I would. I’d give this a low three - not sure what my favorites were, it all kind of blended together, but i found many more pleasant moments than unpleasant
John Martyn? Nie gehört! Klingt recht gut, wenn er nur nicht so näseln würde beim Singen!
Some cool tracks but his mumbling/slurring ruined some for me
I’ve never heard of John Martyn before but I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It made me feel at peace, definitely was staring out the window of a train to this one.
[4]
1.5 a whole lotta mumbling nothing for me, not bad for some really chill melodic stuff but just kinda boring overall
this dude fucks.
Day432 - i was surprised it was from 1973. i thought it was good background music
Enjoyed it, never heard this album or artist before
Four stars just because I vibe with it. Objectively, this is nothing groundbreaking, and British folk rock is already well-represented on the list. To me, it was as a welcome break between listening to completely unfamiliar stuff. Though subtle, the album has lots of personality, and a few tracks went on my playlist.
I'll be honest, I turned this off halfway through. Nick Drake if you neutered and lobotomized him.
Quite enjoyed this. Reminded me of Cream / Eric Clapton stuff
mumbling shite, couldn't get past 3 tracks
A beautifully made, well crafted and delivered experimental folk-rock album which flows perfectly from start to finish - Martyn was a superb singer-songwriter and this album showcases his talent very much. I enjoy Nick Drake's music more but this is also a 5 star album.
This was better than the other one we did, I liked the jazzy numbers the best, the folky ones the least and enjoyed the overall variety.
First impressions that bro is speaking in cursive, kinda slurring his words (makes sense in his bio it says he’s a raging alcoholic). But the use of a variety of instruments like saxophone and guitar was lovely. Over the Hill was super pleasant except the jump scare line about drugs. And May You Never? Also pleasant but then a jump scare line about a sister?? This album is CONFUSING!!
This was a surprise. The intimate, straight forward acoustic set was easy to listen to. Did not know John Martyn was the songwriter to 'May You Never' so dearly covered by Eric Clapton.
A bit too odd for me.
1972. UK. Folk rock, folk jazz, folk, psychedelia
Crazy to me that this person managed to get multiple albums in the 1001 album list -- not that they're bad just surprising. Maybe a bias towards 70's artists. Anyway, I didn't like this one as much as the other: 2.5 stars
Another 70’s rock like album