John Martyn Anthology:Patterns CD

John Martyn anthologies are everywhere. Most of them contain the same tracks, and of course this double-disc collection has many of those too -- how could you not have "Solid Air" "Sunday's Child," or "May You Never" on a serious collection? Patterns in the Rain is a bit different, though, at least texturally. For starters, 11 of these tunes -- all of them on disc two -- are live. Sure, there is likely groaning and gnashing of teeth at this proposal, but it one of Martyn's best live sets caught on tape. It's deep, adventurous, and utterly soulful. The first disc, with the exception of "Jack the Lad," which opens the thing, are all studio tracks and they include the title track, "Sunday's Child," "Live on Love," "Send Me One Line," "She's a Lover," and many others. The live cuts include "Solid Air" (one of the best versions he's ever recorded), "Sweet Little Mystery" (which is so utterly filled with remorse and loss that it's gripping), "Fisherman's Blues," "May You Never," "Angeline," and "Deny This Love." Martyn's playing is spot-on, his band is at his service and not crowding him from the stage, and his voice is in great shape here. This is certainly one to consider adding to a Martyn collection, but not the best place to start. ~ Thom Jurek

Includes liner notes by John O'Regan.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Live RecordingMojo (Publisher) (2/04, p.108) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[With] gruff-but-rich vocals in loose, improvisational arrangements incorporating blues, funk and jazz motifs."