John Martyn: Glorious Fool (WEA).
Martyn, like Bruce Cockburn, is an artist finally intent on making a push for international visibility. Like Cockburn, Martyn is an extraordinarily gifted acoustic guitarist (although he plays some mean, dirty electric lead on Amsterdam and Never Say Never) who incorporates a number of jazz elements into his full-bodied Celtic folk style. Highlight cuts include Couldn't Love You More, Perfect Hustler (with its West Indian rhythmic lilt), Glorious Fool, and Don't You Go. Phil Collins, Eric Clapton and Max Middleton supply tasteful backup instrumentation for Martyn's curiously mystical brand of music. Hauntingly beautiful. Grade... A—