The Road to Ruin album cover
The Road to Ruin

Beverley Martyn , John Martyn

1970
Island Records

The same year as Stormbringer!, this one recorded in London, rather than New York, and it’s like a different planet. 1970 has become 1974 and it’s smooth sailing, oddly more American sounding than its predecessor. It’s calm but sort of threatening in its mastery, and Beverley sounds remarkably strong and bright here. Hard to believe she has recorded only two albums in the forty years since. “Here I Am Now” sounds more than a little like Patti Smith years before she hits the studio. “Sorry To Be So Long” is kinda shagadelic and “Auntie Aviator” could be the menacing theme for an unexpectedly affecting Kelly Reichardt movie about a small town pilot.

Sasha Frere-Jones

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