Five Fave Tracks From the John Martyn Covers Disc
By: Jim Macnie

Have dug John Martyn since hearing “John the Baptist” from the enchanting Stormbringer (Warner Bros) way back when. The folkie picking, the jazzy approach, the eerie moods – the best of his work is an insightfully stirred mix of several sounds. From 1971′s Bless the Weather to 1980′s Glorious Fool, he had one of those runs of making fully impressive albums. I remember going record shopping with Joshua Redman as the backdrop for a DownBeat piece, and basically foisting Martyn’s Solid Air on him. Yep, after living with it for a bit, he loved it too.

Martyn passed in 2009, and like many underacclaimed musicians, he’s starting to be rediscovered these days. That process will be furthered by the August arrival of Johnny Boy Would Love This… (Hole In the Rain), a multi-artist tribute disc that gives everyone from Snow Patrol to Beth Orton to David Gray a chance to saunter through the Brit singer’s songbook.

Who does the best job? Like most trib records, especially double-disc affairs, it’s hit and miss. I’ve spun the album several times and have come up with five faves (so far). Only one question: why didn’t anyone choose “John the Baptist”? Check Robert Smith’s spin in this SoundCloud clip.

1. Beck, “Stormbringer”

2. The Emperors of Wyoming, “Bless the Weather”

3. Robert Smith, “Small Hours”

4. Vashti Bunyun, “Head and Heart”

5. Jim Tullio, “Road To Ruin”