Martyn Joseph – Being There (1992)

Martyn may well be the best singer-songwriter that most of you will not have heard of.  He did release 5 albums (self-financed) before this, his first major label release – and the first I discovered (the early ones are almost impossible to find), but Martyn is really quite prolific, releasing albums almost annually.  A proud Welshman, I first saw him St. Brides near Porthcawl.  A quiet affair, as most of his concerts are – just him and an acoustic guitar.  But talk about passion and great songs.  In many ways he reminds me of Harry Chapin with his deep social commitment but also a great way with a melody.  Martyn was being groomed for some sort of success with Sony but he left after 2 albums to go alone with minor and eventually his own label.  He now sells mostly at concerts or on the internet – and who is to say he is wrong.  He will never be rich but he writes and records exactly what he wants to and makes enough from record sales and concerts to keep on doing what he loves.  Best on this record are ‘Working Mother’ (a part-time prostitutes tale), ‘Please Sir’, ‘Swansea’ and ‘Dolphins Make me Cry’.  A great favourite of mine and a really kind man.