Track Listing

1. Go Easy - John Martyn, John M. Wood
2. Bless The Weather - John Martyn, John M. Wood
3. Sugar Lump - John Martyn, John M. Wood
4. Walk On The Water - John Martyn, John M. Wood
5. Just Now - John Martyn, John M. Wood
6. Head And Heart - John Martyn, John M. Wood
7. Let The Good Things Come - John M. Wood, John Martyn
8. Back Down The River - John Martyn, John M. Wood
9. Glistening Glyndebourne - John Martyn, John M. Wood
10. Singin' In The Rain - John Martyn, John M. Wood
11. Walk On The Water - John Martyn
12. Bless The Weather - John Martyn
13. Back Down The River - John Martyn
14. Go Easy - John Martyn
15. Glistening Glyndebourne - John Martyn
16. Head And Heart - John Martyn
17. May You Never - John Martyn

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5480 in Music
• Released on: 2005-11-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Running time: 75 minutes

CD Description
Idiosyncratic, difficult, lovable genius. Many other plaudits have been laid at the feet of this enigmatic giant. BLESSTHE WEATHER was a gorgeous transitional record from folk tojazzier material, and features, among others, Richard Thompson and the mercurial Danny Thompson, arguably Martyn's greatest sparring partner. In addition to the hopelessly romantic title track and "Head And Heart," there is a wonderful interpretation of "Singin' In The Rain". The experimental "Glistening Glyndebourne" showed our John's developing interest in the "echoplex" sound in which he was to immerse himself over the next few years. Other words that spring to mind are wayward, boozer, cheeky, passionate and, once more, genius.

Customer Reviews

A Genuine "Must Have" Album
This is one of the best nouveau folk albums of all time. Still fresh and meaningful in today's cynical times, with a range of beautiful songs, simply crafted with total integrity. This really is a must have album for anyone interested in quality songwriting, singing and musical craftsmanship.
It still inspires, enlightens and fills my heart everytime i hear it.

"Bless The Weather", an album to quell those storm clouds
Originally released in 1971 "Bless The Weather" was, according to the extensive sleeve notes included with this version of the album, recorded very quickly and spontaneously. That's a surprise, as the music feels meticulously crafted, as if a great deal of time and love has been spent on it. I suppose that's what great musicians can do. Consummate performers such as Danny Thompson from Pentangle who played bass, Richard Thompson and Tony Reeves from Colosseum contribute noticeably. The most obvious impact is Danny Thompson whose double bass and jazz influences permeate the album and he was to go on and become a long time collaborator of Martyns.
Though a product of a burgeoning folk scene Martyn was always keen to infiltrate other musical styles and influences into his music and "Bless the Weather" sees him, as well the jazz nuances, percolate experimentation with electronics into his songs. However two truly stunning more traditional folk tracks open the album. Both "Go Easy "and the title track are impeccably arranged with some wonderful performances and Martyns simple yet effectively poignant voice. "Sugar Lump" is a looser jazz composition and comes as a bit of a shock after the incrementally lovely openers , it's verging on the honky tonk rhythms don't really work for me . It seems awkward and out of place but not to worry because the following song "Walk To The Water" underpinned by some languid bongo and piano is reflective and poised. More carefully sprinkled notes of piano and artful brushes of guitar dominate the beautiful and reflective "Just Now" which leads to the albums superb centrepiece "Head And Heart" a love song of stunning escalating power with some perfect hand percussion and twanging double bass. "Let The Good Things Come" has eerie vocal backing courtesy, I think, of his wife Beverly and some expertly picked acoustic guitar. "Back Down The River" is another lovely simple lilting folk number but "Glistening Glynebourne" an evocative instrumental sees Martyn playing his guitar through the echoplex over dappled motes of piano and some rough and tumble percussion. There follows a short prissy version of "Singin, In The Rain" which leaves me cold, as rain is wont to do.
The extra tracks are different takes on previous numbers. These are generally unembellished, just recorded with guitar, bass and percussion and are starker obviously, but do seem to lack the intensity and emotional depth of the versions proper. The "Band version" of "Head And Heart" feature an extended instrumental intro and clocks in at over ten minutes which even for a song as gorgeous as this is pushing it a bit. An extra song "May You Never" which was released as a single to general indifference and cropped up later on "Solid Air" is the last track , featuring some half hearted saxophone and a sloppy melody , it's easy to see why it failed as a single. It's an album track, and not a very good one at that.
Martyn, like Roy Harper, is a much revered artist who I have only recently discovered. "Bless The Weather" is a very fine album which falls just short of being an essential classic , but it's the sort of album people will cherish for it's smoky intimacy, wonderful mix of songs ( generally) and Martyns pristine unaffected voice. And the albums best songs remain with you for days, imbibing you with a cosy comfortable feeling. In fact just what you need when things aren't going your way and the storm clouds are gathering. "Bless The Weather" is a warm hazy summer day of an album and everyone likes those.

Sublime
John Martyn was one of the most talented performers the UK ever produced and produced my favourite ever music. This isn't the best, but it's better than most by other people