Solid Air
Solid Air is the fourth studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter John Martyn, released in February 1973 by Island Records and co-produced by Martyn and John Wood.[1] Recorded primarily at Sound Techniques in Chelsea, London, beginning in July 1972 and completed in December 1972, it features Martyn on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and synthesiser, alongside contributions from musicians including double bassist Danny Thompson, pianist and organist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, drummer Dave Mattacks, and bassist Dave Pegg, with additional appearances by Fairport Convention members Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, as well as saxophonist Tony Coe.[1] The album blends British folk-rock with jazz and psychedelic influences, highlighted by Martyn's innovative use of the Echoplex delay unit for guitar effects and his distinctive slurred vocal delivery.[2] Comprising nine tracks, Solid Air opens with the title song, a tribute to fellow musician Nick Drake amid his struggles with depression, featuring vibraphone and a sensitive, jazz-inflected arrangement that captures the protagonist's empathy for a friend's plight.[2] Other standout songs include the heartfelt ballad "May You Never," later covered by artists such as Eric Clapton, and a reimagined acoustic version of Skip James's blues standard "I'd Rather Be the Devil," showcasing Martyn's genre-blending style.[1][2] The album's atmospheric production and exploratory sound—drawing on folk, jazz-rock, and space-blues elements—established it as a cult classic in progressive folk and singer-songwriter traditions.[3] Upon release, Solid Air received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and sonic innovation, though initial commercial success was modest; it later gained wider recognition in the 1990s as a precursor to trip-hop and ambient music, influencing artists like Beth Orton who described it as an early ambient record.[2] One of the tracks, "Solid Air," appeared on the soundtrack of the 1999 film Titanic Town, further cementing its cultural legacy.[1] The album remains a cornerstone of Martyn's discography, exemplifying his mercurial artistry and contributions to the evolution of British folk music.[2]Background
Development and Inspiration
John Martyn's fourth studio album for Island Records, Solid Air, represented a significant evolution in his artistry, building on the folk-blues foundations of his earlier works such as Bless the Weather (1971), where he first began incorporating subtle experimental elements like the Echoplex delay unit. By 1972, Martyn had shifted toward more improvisational styles, drawing in jazz influences from artists like Pharoah Sanders and space rock textures through innovative pedal effects, marking a departure from his initial acoustic folk roots toward a hybridized sound that emphasized spontaneity and atmospheric depth.[4][2][5] The writing process for Solid Air unfolded during the summer of 1972, as Martyn composed material in London. These songs wove together themes of empathy, frustration, and foreboding, reflecting Martyn's personal introspection and his close-knit relationships with fellow Island Records artists, including bassist Danny Thompson and other label contemporaries who encouraged his boundary-pushing approach. Its dedication to Nick Drake underscores this communal spirit among the label's roster.[5][6][4] At its core, Solid Air emerged as a conceptual "sonic journey," seamlessly blending the warmth of Martyn's acoustic guitar with experimental production techniques, particularly his newfound fascination with delay and echo pedals that created ethereal, looping textures. This integration of traditional folk intimacy with avant-garde effects not only defined the album's immersive quality but also positioned it as a pivotal work in bridging folk, jazz, and emerging ambient sounds.[7][2][4]Dedication to Nick Drake
John Martyn and Nick Drake forged a close friendship in the late 1960s after meeting through mutual acquaintance Paul Wheeler, with both artists signed to Island Records and sharing overlapping circles in the London folk scene. By 1972, Martyn had become deeply concerned about Drake's deteriorating mental health and increasingly reclusive lifestyle, exacerbated by the recent release of Drake's introspective album Pink Moon and his struggles with depression.[8][4] The title track "Solid Air" served as a direct dedication to Drake, capturing Martyn's empathy and frustration through lyrics that urged perseverance amid hardship, including lines such as "You've been taking your time / And you've been living on solid air" and "You've been hiding the blues / You've been looking through solid air." Martyn composed the song shortly after visiting Drake, first sharing an unaccompanied rendition over the phone with Wheeler to convey its personal significance.[8][2][9] Tragically, Drake died from an overdose of the antidepressant amitriptyline on November 25, 1974, at the age of 26, roughly 21 months after Solid Air's release in February 1973.[10][11] The album's sleeve bore an overall dedication to Drake, underscoring Martyn's hope for his recovery amid their shared vulnerabilities.[8][4]Recording and Production
Studio Sessions
The recording sessions for Solid Air began in July 1972 at Sound Techniques in Chelsea, with further work in September and completion in November and December 1972 at both Sound Techniques and Island Records' Basing Street Studios in London.[1] Overdubs and mixing were handled at Sound Techniques.[12] The project was completed in approximately eight days, enabling a timely February 1973 release to coincide with John Martyn's upcoming US tour, after a rescheduling due to an injury to the engineer at Sound Techniques, which shifted subsequent work to Basing Street Studios.[12] Producer and engineer John Wood guided the sessions to preserve Martyn's improvisational ethos, prioritizing the raw energy of live band performances over extensive overdubs, as most tracks were captured in a jam-like setting with musicians responding intuitively to one another.[5] Wood's direction ensured clarity in the recordings while allowing space for spontaneity, with no song requiring more than three or four takes, and he even suggested a late-night, one-take vocal for "May You Never" just before mastering.[12] The production incorporated innovative tools like the Echoplex tape delay unit, which Martyn used for the first time on the album to generate echoing, layered guitar textures, most notably on the cover "I'd Rather Be the Devil."[4][13] This streamlined process reflected Martyn's thorough preparation and the ensemble's rapid adaptation to his unconventional guitar tunings, yielding an efficient workflow that diverged from the more protracted, experimental methods of his subsequent recordings.[12][5]Key Collaborators
Bassist Danny Thompson, formerly of the influential folk-jazz ensemble Pentangle, anchored most tracks on Solid Air with his double bass, delivering jazz-inflected grooves that infused the album's folk foundations with improvisational fluidity and depth.[4] His empathetic, exploratory playing formed an intuitive dialogue with Martyn's guitar, captured in live studio takes that emphasized the record's organic, jam-like energy.[14] Fairport Convention members bolstered the album's rhythmic core, blending folk-rock precision with the project's experimental leanings. Drummer Dave Mattacks provided subtle, supportive rhythms across the sessions, his understated style allowing space for Martyn's Echoplex-laden guitar and Thompson's bass lines to breathe while maintaining a cohesive pulse.[4] Additional Fairport members Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol contributed to "Over the Hill," with Thompson on mandolin and Nicol on acoustic guitar, adding textured layers to the track.[1] Pianist and organist John "Rabbit" Bundrick provided keyboards on several tracks, including piano on "Angeline" and organ throughout, enhancing the album's atmospheric and jazz-rock elements.[1] Saxophonist Tony Coe added a distinctive solo to the title track "Solid Air," while Tristan Fry contributed vibraphone, contributing to its jazz-inflected arrangement.[1] Additional contributors added distinctive colors to specific songs. Beverley Martyn provided backing vocals on tracks like "May You Never" and "The Easy Blues," weaving harmonic richness into the arrangements.[15] At the center of Solid Air stood John Martyn himself, handling lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, and his signature Echoplex effects, which created the album's hallmark echoing, atmospheric soundscapes.[15]Composition and Style
Musical Elements
Solid Air represents a pioneering fusion of folk, jazz, blues, and emerging space rock elements, with John Martyn's acoustic guitar serving as the sonic core, enriched by electric instrumentation and effects for a layered, expansive sound.[2] This blend draws from influences like Miles Davis's exploratory jazz and Pharoah Sanders's spiritual improvisation, resulting in a style that shifts fluidly between folk-jazz introspection and space-blues expansiveness.[4][16] Central to the album's innovative techniques is Martyn's use of the Echoplex tape delay unit, which he applied to his acoustic guitar to create "slurring" tones and elastic rhythms, evoking ethereal, ambient textures that blur the lines between melody and echo.[16][2] These effects, often combined with wah pedals and fuzz, produce humanized, machine-like sounds that enhance the improvisational interplay among the musicians, fostering a sense of organic flow in the arrangements. This approach not only defines the album's warm, hazy atmosphere but also prefigured ambient and trip-hop production methods in later decades.[17] Thematically, Solid Air achieves consistency through introspective and empathetic lyrics set against these improvisational backdrops, conveying emotional vulnerability with a gentle urgency. Tracks typically average 3 to 4 minutes, allowing space for unhurried development without excess.[2] The titular "solid air" metaphor encapsulates this essence, symbolizing the transformation of elusive emotions—like depression or solidarity—into something palpable and supportive through sound, as inspired by Martyn's dedication to Nick Drake.[2][4]Track-by-Track Analysis
Solid Air opens the album as a 5:45 folk-jazz fusion, blending acoustic guitar with subtle vibraphone and saxophone to create a hazy, empathetic atmosphere dedicated to Nick Drake.[18] The lyrics convey compassion for a friend's inner turmoil, with lines like "I know you, I love you, and I can be your friend / Even through solid air," reflecting Martyn's support during Drake's depression following a 1972 visit.[19] Structurally, it features a floating rhythm guided by light drums and bass jabs, culminating in an Echoplex guitar solo that evokes a sense of drifting introspection.[2] Over the Hill, clocking in at 2:53, delivers a bluesy acoustic drive with guitar tones mimicking a harmonica, exploring themes of escape and longing for home after weary travels.[19] The song's structure builds from jaunty verses to an emotional chorus, enhanced by mandolin, autoharp, and violin contributions that add a pastoral warmth.[2] Lyrics paint a vivid return over the South Downs to family, capturing autobiographical relief from touring life.[19] Don't Want to Know shifts to a 3:02 uptempo rocker, propelled by electric guitar riffs and shimmering keyboards in a jazz-rock vein, centered on denial in a faltering relationship.[20] Its structure revolves around a mantra-like chorus advocating love over materialism and conflict, with handclaps and layered vocals building to an infectious, cautionary close.[19] The lyrics reject greed and war, emphasizing simplicity as a path to peace.[20] I'd Rather Be the Devil, a 6:18 avant-garde reinterpretation of Skip James's blues standard, transforms raw emotion into cosmic exploration through heavy Echoplex distortion.[19] The track divides into intense initial verses of attack and a sparse three-minute jam featuring free-form drums, bass solo, and ethereal guitar improvisation.[19] Lyrics retain the original's devilish defiance, but Martyn's delivery infuses psych-jazz elements, defying folk conventions.[20] Go Down Easy offers a gentle 3:35 folk reflection, where prominent double bass underscores a fragile, intimate tone of love and conversation.[19] Structured as a simple duet between guitar and bass, it features high falsetto vocals stretching phrases like a horn, evoking seductive yearning and emotional vulnerability.[2] Lyrics promise freedom and openness, such as "I won’t be fancy / But I will be free," in a late-night confessional style.[19] Dreams by the Sea unfolds as a 3:17 piano-led ballad, weaving pastoral imagery through a jazz-rock groove that nods to funk influences.[19] The structure builds from starry Rhodes keyboard layers to a scratchy jam, dissolving into sporadic keys for a dreamy resolution tied to waterfront inspirations.[2] Its reflective lyrics evoke dissatisfaction and self-sabotage amid natural motifs, signaling Martyn's evolving sound.[19] May You Never, at 3:41, stands as an acoustic fingerstyle gem, delivering unadorned well-wishes in a lullaby format that later became a hit via Eric Clapton's cover.[2] Recorded in one take with just voice and guitar, its simple structure captures fraternal affection through optimistic verses like a platonic vow.[19] The lyrics subtly warn against destructive lifestyles, triumphing over melancholy with heartfelt sincerity.[20] The Man in the Station, a 2:53 mid-paced track with bossa nova influences, features double bass and electric piano, exploring themes of observation and transience in a station setting.[19] The structure maintains a steady groove with subtle improvisations, blending folk introspection with light jazz elements.[2] The Easy Blues serves as a 3:20 instrumental closer, embracing a relaxed jazz-blues vibe adapted from traditional sources like Jelly Roll Baker.[21] Featuring taut acoustic triplets and stop-start dynamics, it showcases Martyn's early blues roots with a synthesizer coda for gentle fade-out.[22] The piece highlights warring impulses of entertainment and introspection, ending the album on a compassionate note.[2]Artwork
Original Cover Design
The original cover of Solid Air employed Schlieren photography, a technique that visualizes subtle variations in air density caused by heat or pressure, to create an image of swirling distortions that literalized the album's titular concept of rendering air "solid" and tangible. Captured by photographer John Webster, the front cover presents ethereal, flowing patterns against a dark backdrop, symbolizing the invisible yet palpable nature of air and aligning with the album's introspective folk-jazz themes. This innovative visual approach distinguished the artwork within Island Records' catalog, emphasizing abstraction over literal representation.[23][24][25] The overall sleeve design was handled by Fabio Nicoli, who adopted a minimalist style consistent with the label's early 1970s folk releases, featuring clean typography and subdued elements that complemented the cover's experimental imagery. The back cover and inner spread incorporated straightforward black-and-white photographs of John Martyn by Brian Cooke, capturing the artist in candid, unposed moments that reinforced the album's personal and intimate tone.[1][23] Prominently displayed on the inner sleeve was the dedication of the title track to Nick Drake, Martyn's friend and fellow Island artist, underscoring the album's emotional core amid Drake's struggles with depression. This textual element, paired with the sparse layout, created a cohesive package that prioritized artistic intent over ornate decoration, enhancing the work's cult status in progressive folk circles.[1][4]Packaging Variations
The original 1973 vinyl edition of Solid Air utilized a gatefold sleeve design, which incorporated printed lyrics and production credits on the inner panels, and lacked a barcode as was standard for albums prior to widespread UPC adoption in the late 1970s.[26] The 2000 remastered CD release featured an updated packaging format with an O-Card outer sleeve and an expanded 12-page booklet; this included new liner notes penned by John Wood, while preserving the album's signature schlieren cloud photography on the cover but augmenting it with additional black-and-white photos of John Martyn and recording sessions.[27] In 2009, the Deluxe Edition appeared as a two-disc digipak set, offering significantly expanded artwork through a 20-page booklet that reproduced rare session photographs and contained liner notes by John Hillarby and Daryl Easlea exploring the album's dedication to Nick Drake, all while echoing elements of the original gatefold layout on the interior panels.[28] A more recent half-speed mastered vinyl reissue from 2016 employed enhanced 180-gram pressing for audiophile quality, accompanied by insert notes detailing the remastering process at Abbey Road Studios; this edition briefly references the paired audio improvements without altering the core visual identity.[29]Release and Reissues
Initial Release
Solid Air was released in February 1973 in the United Kingdom by Island Records under catalogue number ILPS 9226.[23] The album arrived during the peak of the 1970s British folk revival, a period marked by innovative fusions of traditional folk with rock and jazz elements, yet it was somewhat overlooked compared to contemporaries like Fairport Convention, whose electric interpretations had broader immediate appeal.[4] The U.S. release followed later that year on Island Records with catalogue number SW-9325.[30] Promotion for the album was restrained, emphasizing live performances over extensive media campaigns, with Martyn frequently touring alongside bassist Danny Thompson, whose double bass work complemented the album's intimate sound.[31] Radio play was limited, reflecting the niche audience for Martyn's experimental folk-jazz style at the time. No major singles were issued to drive sales, though the track "May You Never" would later achieve wider recognition through covers by artists including Eric Clapton on his 1977 album Slowhand. This approach aligned with Island Records' support for progressive acts but contributed to the album's modest initial commercial footprint within the folk genre. The album's debut performance was tempered by its specialized appeal, selling steadily but without breakout success in its first year, as the folk niche constrained broader market penetration.[4] Subsequent reissues and remasters in later decades would significantly enhance its commercial visibility and enduring popularity.Later Editions and Remasters
In 2000, Universal Music released a remastered edition of Solid Air on CD, sourced from the original master tapes to enhance dynamics and clarity while preserving the album's intimate acoustic qualities. This version included one bonus track, a live rendition of "I'd Rather Be the Devil" (originally by Skip James), clocking in at 6:11 and recorded in 1975, offering listeners an extended glimpse into Martyn's interpretive style.[26][32] The 2009 Deluxe Edition, issued by Island Records as a two-disc set, featured a digital remastering by audio engineer Paschal Byrne, who applied subtle EQ adjustments and noise reduction to accentuate the album's jazz-inflected textures without altering its organic feel. The second disc compiled 12 previously unreleased outtakes and alternate mixes from the 1972 sessions—such as early versions of "Over the Hill" and "May You Never"—alongside three live recordings and the 7-inch single edit of "May You Never," totaling 16 additional tracks that highlight the creative experimentation during production. This edition revitalized interest in the album, peaking at No. 88 on the UK Albums Chart upon release.[28][33][4] In May 2016, Island Records released a half-speed mastered vinyl pressing of Solid Air, cut at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell to capture the analog warmth of the original tapes through slower lathe speeds for finer groove detail and reduced surface noise. Limited to 180-gram heavyweight vinyl, it appealed to audiophiles seeking superior fidelity in physical formats.[29][34]Reception and Legacy
Critical Reviews
Upon its release in 1973, Solid Air received positive but somewhat limited critical attention, reflective of the niche status of the folk genre at the time. Melody Maker highlighted John Martyn's outstanding recognition of harmonic elements in guitar playing and praised the album's successful execution despite challenges in coordinating the ensemble, describing it as turning out "so well" with extraordinary timbral landscapes.[35] Similarly, Sounds magazine noted that the album "flows beautifully and shows the entire spectrum of music that John Martyn is capable of playing."[24] Retrospective reviews have been overwhelmingly acclaiming, emphasizing the album's innovative blend of folk, jazz, and experimental elements. AllMusic, in a review rating it 4.5 out of 5 stars, described Solid Air as "one of the defining moments of British folk," particularly commending Martyn's textural guitar work achieved through the Echoplex tape delay effect.[3] In December 2024, Pitchfork hailed it as an "astral-folk masterpiece" that embodies Martyn's mercurial artistry, praising his masterful use of the Echoplex to create dreamy, otherworldly soundscapes and its role as a precursor to ambient and trip-hop genres.[2] The album has also earned high placements in critical rankings. It was ranked No. 67 on Q magazine's 2000 list of the 100 Greatest British Albums.[36] Additionally, Solid Air is included in Robert Dimery's 2005 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[24] Uncut's 2009 review of the deluxe edition affirmed its status as a masterpiece, noting how it marked the moment Martyn transcended his influences with poetic empathy and vital innovation.[20]Cultural Impact and Influence
The album Solid Air has left a lasting mark on music through numerous covers of its tracks, particularly "May You Never," which Eric Clapton recorded for his 1977 album Slowhand.[37] The title track "Solid Air" has also been covered by various artists in tribute compilations, including interpretations that highlight its atmospheric qualities.[38] Performances of the album have contributed to its enduring appeal, with John Martyn playing Solid Air in its entirety during the 2006 Don't Look Back concert series, including shows at London's Roundhouse and Barbican venues, later documented on the live album Solid Air: Live at the Roundhouse released in 2007.[39] Following Martyn's death in 2009, posthumous tributes included the 2019 "Grace & Danger: A Celebration of John Martyn" concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, featuring artists performing songs from Solid Air alongside other works to honor his legacy.[40] Solid Air pioneered ambient folk textures by blending jazz improvisation, acoustic guitar, and echoing production techniques, influencing subsequent genres such as trip-hop, where its dub-like elements prefigured the atmospheric sound of groups like Massive Attack.[6] This innovative approach also impacted modern folk artists, with its ethereal soundscapes echoing in the introspective style of Bon Iver, contributing to the album's cult status within British music as a bridge between traditional folk and experimental forms.[2] In 2025, a uDiscover Music article reaffirmed Solid Air as one of the greatest British albums ever, noting renewed interest in its vinyl editions through a half-speed master reissue that highlights its timeless production.[4]Track Listing
Original Album
The original 1973 release of Solid Air by John Martyn, issued by Island Records (ILPS 9226), contains nine tracks, all written by Martyn except where noted.[1] The track listing, with durations, is as follows:[41]- "Solid Air" (John Martyn) – 5:43
- "Over the Hill" (John Martyn) – 2:52
- "Don't Want to Know" (John Martyn) – 3:00
- "I'd Rather Be the Devil" (Skip James) – 6:17
- "Go Down Easy" (John Martyn) – 3:34
- "Dreams by the Sea" (John Martyn) – 3:15
- "May You Never" (John Martyn) – 3:40
- "The Man in the Station" (John Martyn) – 3:50
- "The Easy Blues" (John Martyn) – 3:19