Don't be misled by the title. This is not Martyn's classic 1973 album Solid Air, but a best-of that isn't even really that. Yes, all his greatest songs from two decades of back catalogue are here. Yet they're not the original recordings but reinterpretations made in 1992-93 with a soft-rock, dinner party backing provided by such mates as Phil Collins and Dave Gilmour.
The songs still sound pretty good and his voice is as wonderfully slurred as ever. But nobody could claim any of these 28 retreads are improvements on the originals.
Ill-starred, Badfinger's final album before guitarist/vocalist Pete Ham's suicide was designed to annoy. Made in 1975, it finally saw the light of day in 2000. Given the nature of "Hey, Mr Manager", "Rock'n'Roll Contract" and "Savile Row", the Welsh power poppers practically signed their own death warrant. Creatively, Head First reeks of insecurity and shifting tastes within, but its archly melodic, cynical elements could strike a chord with Super Furry Animals types. A period piece with added demos, this is the tarnished gilt on the '70s mirror.
