Martins4

One of the best guitar albums I've heard.Four brilliant guitarists,four different styles that merge brilliantly.Highly recommended for serious guitar lovers

Excellent music by some very talented guitarists

I've listened to this CD nearly non-stop over the last week since I got it. Its fabulous - apart from the terrible dirge on track 4 contributed by Martin Carthy where he sings about a glass of water, slightly off key, for most of the five minute track. I bought the CD because I love Simpson, Carthy and Taylor's guitar playing and wanted to hear something of Juan Martin but this track has spoilt an otherwise fantastic CD for me. I have always rated Martin Carthy as one of the greats but he sounds like a rank amateur in this company.

amazing musicians

Did somebody wake up one morning and realise that three of Britain's finest guitarists are all called Martin, and they should be made to record together? The world was scoured for another so they could make up a quartet, but in the end they had to make do with someone only surnamed Martin. I'd like to think they all played Martin guitars as well, but I suppose not.However it came about, this is (I guess) the ultimate guitar crossover album. You have Juan Martin's flamenco and Latin styles; Martin Taylor's semi-acoustic jazz; Martin Simpson's far-out blues; and Martin Carthy playing the anchor role with his traditional Folk. He's not in the same class as the others technically - I don't think he made any bones about that - but his playing is instantly recognisable and, in its own way, just as good as theirs. Actually I like Glass of Water (sung as a tribute to Sydney Carter, though his name is misspelled in the credits); its chiming simplicity comes as a welcome change of mood after all the others' noodling. And that's the thing: musicianship isn't always about fancy fretwork, it's about having the right vehicle for what you want to say; and Carthy does.With all the other influences included, they at least nod to almost every part of the world where lute-type instruments are played: African, Indian, Arabian, South American, as well as the staple European and North American genres. The only major exception I can think of is the Far East.As a live event, with the buzz of the interplay between them, I'm sure this would comfortably have cleared 5 stars. As a record it doesn't quite blow me away - they probably all have better things in their solo catalogues - but it's good stuff.Makes you wonder what other, similar collaborations are possible. Why have Tim Curry and Tim Rice never worked together?

Une qualité de son extraordinaire avec des musiciens exceptionnels. Martin Taylor est un des meilleur guitariste au monde (guitare sèche) avec Tommy Emmanuel.