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{{otheruses}}
{{About|the folk album|the low density material|Aerogel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
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| venue =
| venue =
| studio = {{hlist|[[Island Studios|Island]] (London)|[[Sound Techniques (studio)|Sound Techniques]] (London)}}
| studio = {{hlist|[[Island Studios|Island]] (London)|[[Sound Techniques (studio)|Sound Techniques]] (London)}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Folk rock]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-09-18/the-10-essential-folk-rock-albums|title= The 10 Essential Folk Rock Albums|last= Fielder|first= Hugh|date= 19 September 2016|website= [[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|publisher= TeamRock|access-date= 25 September 2016}}</ref>|[[folk jazz]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Various Mojo Magazine|title=The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AVQbF9lTBwgC&pg=PA302|date=1 November 2007|publisher=Canongate Books|isbn=978-1-84767-643-6|page=302}}</ref>|[[folk music|folk]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nme.com/photos/20-best-folk-music-albums-of-all-time/408535|title= 20 Best Folk Music Albums of All Time|date= 7 June 2016|website= [[NME]]|publisher= [[Time Inc. UK]]|access-date= 20 August 2016}}</ref>}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Folk rock]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-09-18/the-10-essential-folk-rock-albums|title= The 10 Essential Folk Rock Albums|last= Fielder|first= Hugh|date= 19 September 2016|website= [[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|publisher= TeamRock|access-date= 25 September 2016}}</ref>|[[folk jazz]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Various Mojo Magazine|title=The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AVQbF9lTBwgC&pg=PA302|date=1 November 2007|publisher=Canongate Books|isbn=978-1-84767-643-6|page=302}}</ref>|[[folk music|folk]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nme.com/photos/20-best-folk-music-albums-of-all-time/408535|title= 20 Best Folk Music Albums of All Time|date= 7 June 2016|website= [[NME]]|publisher= [[Time Inc. UK]]|access-date= 20 August 2016}}</ref>|[[psychedelic music|psychedelia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/illuminations-mw0000066298|title=Illuminations – Buffy Sainte-Marie – Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref>}}
| length = {{Duration|m=34|s=44}}
| length = {{Duration|m=34|s=44}}
| label = [[Island Records|Island]]
| label = [[Island Records|Island]]
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}}
}}


'''''Solid Air''''' is the fourth studio album by British [[Folk music|folk]] singer-songwriter [[John Martyn]], released in February 1973 by [[Island Records]].
'''''Solid Air''''' is the fourth studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter [[John Martyn]], released in February 1973 by [[Island Records]].


==Background==
==Background==
The album was recorded over eight days and features instrumental contributions by bassist [[Danny Thompson]] and members of [[Fairport Convention]].<ref name="Amer"/><ref name="BBC"/> "Solid Air", the title track, was dedicated to a friend of Martyn's, [[Nick Drake]], who would die of an [[tricyclic antidepressant overdose|antidepressant overdose]] 18 months after the album was released.<ref>"1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", Robert Dimery, 2005, p.190</ref> Martyn said of the track "It was done for a friend of mine, and it was done right with very clear motives, and I'm very pleased with it, for varying reasons. It has got a very simple message, but you'll have to work that one out for yourself."<ref name="johnmartyn.com"/> The album features an [[avant-garde]] cover of [[Skip James]]' "[[Devil Got My Woman]]",<ref name="Amer"/> here retitled "I'd Rather Be the Devil" and performed with heavy use of Martyn's [[Echoplex]] tape delay effect.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Chris|title=John Martyn: Solid Air|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/23bd/|website=BBC Music|accessdate=2 March 2017}}</ref>
The album was recorded over eight days and features instrumental contributions by bassist [[Danny Thompson]] and members of [[Fairport Convention]].<ref name="Amer"/><ref name="BBC"/> "Solid Air", the title track, was dedicated to a friend of Martyn's, [[Nick Drake]], who would die of an [[tricyclic antidepressant overdose|antidepressant overdose]] 18 months after the album was released.<ref>"1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", Robert Dimery, 2005, p.190</ref> Martyn said of the track "It was done for a friend of mine, and it was done right with very clear motives, and I'm very pleased with it, for varying reasons. It has got a very simple message, but you'll have to work that one out for yourself."<ref name="johnmartyn.com"/> The album features an [[avant-garde]] cover of [[Skip James]]' "[[Devil Got My Woman]]",<ref name="Amer"/> here retitled "I'd Rather Be the Devil" and performed with heavy use of Martyn's [[Echoplex]] tape delay effect.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Chris|title=John Martyn: Solid Air|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/23bd/|website=BBC Music|accessdate=2 March 2017}}</ref>


"May You Never" became something of a signature song for Martyn, becoming a staple of his live performances. Released in November 1971 as a single in an early form, the song was re-recorded during the ''Solid Air'' sessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmartyn.com/?location=/web/Singles |title=The Official John Martyn Website &#124; Maverick singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire! |publisher=Johnmartyn.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> [[Eric Clapton]] covered "May You Never" on his 1977 album ''[[Slowhand]]''. When Martyn was presented with a lifetime achievement award by [[Phil Collins]] (a collaborator of Martyn's) at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards, In 2006, Martyn performed the album live in its entirety as part of the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]]-curated [[Don't Look Back (concert series)|Don't Look Back]] series and subsequently toured the UK.
"May You Never" became something of a signature song for Martyn, becoming a staple of his live performances. Released in November 1971 as a single in an early form, the song was re-recorded during the ''Solid Air'' sessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmartyn.com/?location=/web/Singles |title=The Official John Martyn Website &#124; Maverick singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire! |publisher=Johnmartyn.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> [[Eric Clapton]] covered "May You Never" on his 1977 album ''[[Slowhand]]''. In 2006, Martyn performed the album live in its entirety as part of the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]]-curated [[Don't Look Back (concert series)|Don't Look Back]] series and subsequently toured the UK.


A remastered CD was issued by Universal Records in October 2000. This CD was packaged in a card slipcase, and featured a remastered version of the original album with the addition of a live version of "I'd Rather Be The Devil". ''Solid Air'' was given a further remastering and repackaging when a double CD reissue curated by John Hillarby was released in 2009, and which included several alternate studio and live versions.
A remastered CD was issued by Universal Records in October 2000. This CD was packaged in a card slipcase, and featured a remastered version of the original album with the addition of a live version of "I'd Rather Be The Devil". ''Solid Air'' was given a further remastering and repackaging when a double CD reissue curated by John Hillarby was released in 2009, and which included several alternate studio and live versions.
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| rev3 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|edition=5th|isbn=978-0857125958|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
| rev3Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|edition=5th|isbn=978-0857125958|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Sputnikmusic]]''
| rev4 = ''Sputnikmusic''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/4440/John-Martyn-Solid-Air/|title=John Martyn - Solid Air (album review)|last= Fatali|first= Liberi|website= [[Sputnikmusic]]}}</ref>
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/4440/John-Martyn-Solid-Air/|title=John Martyn - Solid Air (album review)|last= Fatali|first= Liberi|website= Sputnikmusic}}</ref>
}}
}}
Contemporary reviews were favourable, with music weekly ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'' declaring that "''Solid Air'' flows beautifully and shows the entire spectrum of music that John Martyn has at his fingertips."<ref name="johnmartyn.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmartyn.com/?location=/web/1960s%20and%201970s |title=The Official John Martyn Website &#124; Maverick singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire! |publisher=Johnmartyn.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> In a retrospective review, ''[[American Songwriter]]'' described the album as "timeless" and stated that "audacious, hypnotic and groundbreaking only begins to describe Martyn’s still unique combination of [[folk music|folk]], [[jazz]], [[blues]] and [[space rock]], wrapped around riveting, unforgettable melodies."<ref name="Amer">{{cite web|last1=Horowitz|first1=Hal|title=John Martyn: Solid Air|url=https://americansongwriter.com/2013/07/john-martyn-solid-air-2/|website=American Songwriter|accessdate=2 March 2017}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] called ''Solid Air'' "one of the defining moments of British folk" and noted its genre-blending.<ref name="Jurek"/> [[BBC Music]] stated that "it's a classic with not a note out of place.. And ably assisted by [[John Wood (record producer)|John Wood]]'s late night production it's now firmly esconced in the hearts of chillers, smokers and music lovers the world over."<ref name="BBC"/>
Contemporary reviews were favourable, with music weekly ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'' declaring that "''Solid Air'' flows beautifully and shows the entire spectrum of music that John Martyn has at his fingertips."<ref name="johnmartyn.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmartyn.com/?location=/web/1960s%20and%201970s |title=The Official John Martyn Website &#124; Maverick singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire! |publisher=Johnmartyn.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> In a retrospective review, ''[[American Songwriter]]'' described the album as "timeless" and stated that "audacious, hypnotic and groundbreaking only begins to describe Martyn's still unique combination of [[folk music|folk]], [[jazz]], [[blues]] and [[space rock]], wrapped around riveting, unforgettable melodies."<ref name="Amer">{{cite web|last1=Horowitz|first1=Hal|title=John Martyn: Solid Air|url=https://americansongwriter.com/2013/07/john-martyn-solid-air-2/|website=American Songwriter|date=2 July 2013 |accessdate=2 March 2017}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] called ''Solid Air'' "one of the defining moments of British folk" and noted its genre-blending.<ref name="Jurek"/> [[BBC Music]] stated that "it's a classic with not a note out of place.. And ably assisted by [[John Wood (record producer)|John Wood]]'s late night production it's now firmly esconced in the hearts of chillers, smokers and music lovers the world over."<ref name="BBC"/>


''Solid Air'' was rated as the 67th Greatest British Album Ever by the British music magazine ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', and was also included in their list of Best Chill-Out Albums Of All Time. The album is included in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]'' by Robert Dimery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm |title=Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...1001 Albums |publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> It was voted number 826 in [[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]'s [[All Time Top 1000 Albums]] 3rd Edition (2000).<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[All Time Top 1000 Albums]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2000|edition=3rd|isbn=0-7535-0493-6|page=257}}</ref>
''Solid Air'' was rated as the 67th Greatest British Album Ever by the British music magazine ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', and was also included in their list of Best Chill-Out Albums Of All Time. The album is included in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]'' by Robert Dimery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm |title=Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...1001 Albums |publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> It was voted number 826 in [[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]'s [[All Time Top 1000 Albums]] 3rd Edition (2000).<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[All Time Top 1000 Albums]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2000|edition=3rd|isbn=0-7535-0493-6|page=257}}</ref>
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* John Martyn – vocals, [[acoustic guitar|acoustic]] and electric guitar; [[synthesizer|keyboards]] on "The Easy Blues"
* John Martyn – vocals, [[acoustic guitar|acoustic]] and electric guitar; [[synthesizer|keyboards]] on "The Easy Blues"
* [[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]] – [[mandolin]] on "Over the Hill"
* [[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]] – [[mandolin]] on "Over the Hill"
* [[Simon Nicol]] – autoharp on "Over the Hill"
* [[Simon Nicol]] – [[autoharp]] on "Over the Hill"
* [[Sue Draheim]] – violin on "Over the Hill"
* [[Sue Draheim]] – violin on "Over the Hill"
* [[Tony Coe]] – saxophone on "Dreams by the Sea" and "Solid Air"
* [[Tony Coe]] – [[saxophone]] on "Dreams by the Sea" and "Solid Air"
* [[John Bundrick|John "Rabbit" Bundrick]] – [[piano|acoustic]] and [[electric piano]], organ, [[clavinet]]
* [[John Bundrick|John "Rabbit" Bundrick]] – [[piano|acoustic]] and [[electric piano]], organ, [[clavinet]]
* [[Tristan Fry]] – [[vibraphone]] on "Solid Air"
* [[Tristan Fry]] – [[vibraphone]] on "Solid Air"
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=== Technical ===
=== Technical ===
* [[John Wood (record producer)|John Wood]] – engineer
* [[John Wood (record producer)|John Wood]] – engineer
* [[Fabio Nicoli]] – sleeve design
* Fabio Nicoli – sleeve design
* John Webster – front cover photography
* John Webster – front cover photography


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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.johnmartyn.com/ The Official John Martyn Website]
* [https://www.johnmartyn.com/ The Official John Martyn Website]
* {{YouTube|PCCWqYfZVi0|Solid Air}}


{{John Martyn}}
{{John Martyn}}

Latest revision as of 06:04, 5 May 2024

For other uses, see Solid Air (disambiguation).

Solid Air
Studio album by
John Martyn
ReleasedFebruary 1973 (1973-02)
RecordedNovember–December 1972
Studio
Genre
Length34:44
LabelIsland
Producer
John Martyn chronology
Bless the Weather
(1971) 		Solid Air
(1973) 		Inside Out
(1973)

Solid Air is the fourth studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter John Martyn, released in February 1973 by Island Records.

Background[edit]

The album was recorded over eight days and features instrumental contributions by bassist Danny Thompson and members of Fairport Convention.[5][6] "Solid Air", the title track, was dedicated to a friend of Martyn's, Nick Drake, who would die of an antidepressant overdose 18 months after the album was released.[7] Martyn said of the track "It was done for a friend of mine, and it was done right with very clear motives, and I'm very pleased with it, for varying reasons. It has got a very simple message, but you'll have to work that one out for yourself."[8] The album features an avant-garde cover of Skip James' "Devil Got My Woman",[5] here retitled "I'd Rather Be the Devil" and performed with heavy use of Martyn's Echoplex tape delay effect.[6]

"May You Never" became something of a signature song for Martyn, becoming a staple of his live performances. Released in November 1971 as a single in an early form, the song was re-recorded during the Solid Air sessions.[9] Eric Clapton covered "May You Never" on his 1977 album Slowhand. In 2006, Martyn performed the album live in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series and subsequently toured the UK.

A remastered CD was issued by Universal Records in October 2000. This CD was packaged in a card slipcase, and featured a remastered version of the original album with the addition of a live version of "I'd Rather Be The Devil". Solid Air was given a further remastering and repackaging when a double CD reissue curated by John Hillarby was released in 2009, and which included several alternate studio and live versions.

The album cover is an example of schlieren photography demonstrating the 'solid' nature of air.

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Retrospective reviews
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
American Songwriter[5]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]
Sputnikmusic[12]

Contemporary reviews were favourable, with music weekly Sounds declaring that "Solid Air flows beautifully and shows the entire spectrum of music that John Martyn has at his fingertips."[8] In a retrospective review, American Songwriter described the album as "timeless" and stated that "audacious, hypnotic and groundbreaking only begins to describe Martyn's still unique combination of folk, jazz, blues and space rock, wrapped around riveting, unforgettable melodies."[5] AllMusic called Solid Air "one of the defining moments of British folk" and noted its genre-blending.[10] BBC Music stated that "it's a classic with not a note out of place.. And ably assisted by John Wood's late night production it's now firmly esconced in the hearts of chillers, smokers and music lovers the world over."[6]

Solid Air was rated as the 67th Greatest British Album Ever by the British music magazine Q, and was also included in their list of Best Chill-Out Albums Of All Time. The album is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery.[13] It was voted number 826 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums 3rd Edition (2000).[14]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks written by John Martyn except where noted.

Side one

  1. "Solid Air" – 5:45
  2. "Over the Hill" – 2:53
  3. "Don't Want to Know" – 3:02
  4. "I'd Rather Be the Devil" (Skip James) – 6:18

Side two

  1. "Go Down Easy" – 3:35
  2. "Dreams by the Sea" – 3:17
  3. "May You Never" – 3:41
  4. "The Man in the Station" – 2:53
  5. "The Easy Blues" – 3:20
  • Note: On the original 1987 CD release of the album, the final track "The Easy Blues" was split into two separate tracks, "Jelly Roll Blues" (2:15) and "Gentle Blues" (1:07). The 2000 remastered reissue lists the track as "The Easy Blues (Jelly Roll Blues/Gentle Blues)", and the 2009 deluxe edition lists it as "The Easy Blues/Gentle Blues".

2000 remastered reissue bonus track[edit]

  1. "I'd Rather Be the Devil" (live) (Skip James) – 6:11

2009 Deluxe Edition[edit]

Disc 1

As original album.

Disc 2

  1. "Solid Air" (alternative take) – 5:48
  2. "Over the Hill" (alternative take) – 3:28
  3. "Don't Want to Know" (alternative take) – 3:26
  4. "I'd Rather Be the Devil" (alternative take) (Skip James) – 7:39
  5. "Go Down Easy" (alternative take) – 4:55
  6. "Dreams by the Sea" (alternative take) – 3:22
  7. "May You Never" (alternative take) – 3:33
  8. "The Man in the Station" (alternative take) – 5:32
  9. "The Easy Blues/Gentle Blues" (alternative take) – 4:49
  10. "Keep On" – 4:57
  11. "When It's Dark" – 8:36
  12. "In the Evening" – 4:04
  13. "May You Never" (single version) – 2:43
  14. "The Easy Blues" (live) – 3:24
  15. "May You Never" (live) – 3:39
  16. "I'd Rather Be the Devil" (live) (Skip James) – 8:33

Personnel[edit]

Technical[edit]

  • John Wood – engineer
  • Fabio Nicoli – sleeve design
  • John Webster – front cover photography

References[edit]

  1. ^ Fielder, Hugh (19 September 2016). "The 10 Essential Folk Rock Albums". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  2. ^ Various Mojo Magazine (1 November 2007). The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition. Canongate Books. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-84767-643-6.
  3. ^ "20 Best Folk Music Albums of All Time". NME. Time Inc. UK. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Illuminations – Buffy Sainte-Marie – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d Horowitz, Hal (2 July 2013). "John Martyn: Solid Air". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Jones, Chris. "John Martyn: Solid Air". BBC Music. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  7. ^ "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", Robert Dimery, 2005, p.190
  8. ^ a b "The Official John Martyn Website | Maverick singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire!". Johnmartyn.com. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  9. ^ "The Official John Martyn Website | Maverick singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire!". Johnmartyn.com. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  10. ^ a b Solid Air at AllMusic
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0857125958.
  12. ^ Fatali, Liberi. "John Martyn - Solid Air (album review)". Sputnikmusic.
  13. ^ "Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...1001 Albums". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  14. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 257. ISBN 0-7535-0493-6.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Solid_Air&oldid=1222303321"