Glorious Fool

With a new label and a big-name producer, Glorious Fool, John Martyn's first release following his departure from Island Records, looked to be his best shot at mainstream acceptance. Produced by Phil Collins, who was riding a wave of popularity, and featuring Eric Clapton (who had previously recorded Martyn's May You Never) on guitar, the record was his most accessible to date. The album balances the moodiness of the obliquely political title track with cuts such as the muscular drums and guitar of "Amsterdam" and "Never Say Never," as well as the Latin-flavored romanticism of "Hold On My Heart," the slick love paean "Couldn't Love You More," and the haunting, anti-war "Don't You Go." Glorious Fool, the former folkie's second recording in a row to shun the acoustic guitar altogether, bears Collins' stamp (thanks primarily to his drumming and vocoder-affected backing vocals) without ever obscuring Martyn's strong personality. It may not have been the breakthrough some had hoped, but Glorious Fool endures as one of John Martyn's best.