John and Beverley Martyn – The Road to Ruin

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A complex and sometimes belligerent character in real life, on record, John Martyn was the epitome of the folk-dreamer, embodying the spirit of the bourgeoning London acoustic scene of the late ’60s. Well-known and respected for his ’70s albums ‘Solid Air’ and ‘One World’, this is where it began. The second and final John and Beverley album, ‘The Road to Ruin’ came out in late 1970; it is a mature, fully realised work, and a glimpse of what would have happened had Island not encouraged John to go back to being a solo artist. Opener ‘Primrose Hill’ was later sampled by Fat Boy Slim, and the John-led ‘Parcels’ offers a template for what would become his signature style as the decade progressed. It is one of those rare albums that creates its own atmosphere, late night intensity, middle age soul.

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