IN SESSION AT THE BBC

Like most British artistes, Martyn did his fair share of BBC sessions and this album is a compilation from early 73 until early 78, but it is not sure whether these sessions are actually complete, this album being an Island product rather than a Hux or BBC product. Don't go look at this album as some sort of Live At The BBC, but strictly radio sessions, which means most of the songs are presented in normal format, resembling the original version as much as feasible, but no extended solo or wild extrapolations.

Six tracks from 73, including four in October, but outside Be The Devil, not much from his two masterpieces from that very year, which is quite a disappointment, but the tracks chosen are still rather worthy. The five tracks from the early 75 sessions concentrates on Sunday's Child , which was definitely a return to bluesier things and the versions here are worthy and pay respect. The 77/8 sessions are not from the One World album (not yet released) coming (except one track), but seem to return to the 71-74 era, which indeed confirms that

Rather pleasant production - this is a BBC take after all ? but nothing to knock your socks off, but definitely not essential, or only for the ultra-fan. I'm sure the BBC has got better sessions stashed away somewhere.