John Martyn - The Tumbler (Island 1968) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

Following an inauspicious first release for Island, John Martyn's unique brand of acoustic music began to take some sort of shape with the Al Stewart-produced The Tumbler. Martyn, whose debut was a solo acoustic offering, here employs a second guitar, bass and, most notably, jazz flautist Harold McNair to create his blend of folk, blues and jazz. While his songs show only marginal development from London Conversation, it's his arrangements and, especially, vocals which are the real differences, each becoming increasingly more idiosyncratic. Although nowhere near the caliber of his later recordings, The Tumbler is an important step in Martyn's varied career. Brett Hartenbach AMG

Please note: despite the wording on the label, this album is mono.

Track listing:

A1. Sing A Song Of Summer

A2. The River

A3. Goin' Down To Memphis

A4. The Gardeners

A5. A Day At The Sea

A6. Fishin' Blues

B1. Dusty

B2. Hello Train

B3. Winding Boy

B4. Fly On Home

B5. Knuckeldy Crunch and Slippledee Slee Song

B6. Seven Black Roses

John Martyn, Guitar, accompanied by:-
Harold McNair - Flute
Paul Wheeler - Second guitar
Dave Moses - Bass
Producer: Al Stewart
Recorded 11 July 1968 at Regent Sound, Denmark Street, London.