Is Well Kept Secret a good place to start with John Martyn?

Yes, Well Kept Secret is recommended as a starting point for new John Martyn listeners. A blend of folk-infused rock and jazz elements, enveloping listeners in intimate storytelling and rich emotional landscapes. Released in 1982, Well Kept Secret arrived during John Martyn's transitional phase after his acclaimed album, One World. This album marked his first significant release in the wake of personal struggles and changing musical directions, positioning him as a resilient artist navigating the evolving landscape of rock and folk music.

Who is Well Kept Secret for?

Well Kept Secret works well if you're into unpredictable pacing keeps interest, emotive vocals for introspection and fragmented tracks encourage exploration.

How many songs are on Well Kept Secret?

Well Kept Secret has 12 tracks.

Well Kept Secret

John Martyn · 1982

12 tracks · rock music

A blend of folk-infused rock and jazz elements, enveloping listeners in intimate storytelling and rich emotional landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gun Money — This track exemplifies Martyn's ability to merge poignant lyrical themes with an engaging melody, showcasing his signature guitar work.
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Could've Been Me Start here — Opening the album, this song sets the tone with its reflective lyrics and smooth instrumentation, capturing Martyn's introspective style.
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Never Let Me Go — A haunting ballad that highlights Martyn's vocal prowess and emotional range, it delves into themes of love and longing with striking sincerity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 6% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Martyn's blend of styles but lacks strong cohesion and memorable hooks.

What we noticed

The first five tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the sixth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm.
Several songs feature intricate guitar work that blends folk and jazz influences, particularly in the solos.
The album includes both studio tracks and live recordings, with the last two tracks being a remix and a live version of earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

unpredictable pacing keeps interest
emotive vocals for introspection
fragmented tracks encourage exploration
moments of solitude and reflection
live versions enhance emotional depth

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid entry that reflects Martyn's style but isn't widely recognized as essential.
Themes: intimate storytelling· post-personal struggle· reflective love ballads
Career context: Released in 1982, Well Kept Secret arrived during John Martyn's transitional phase after his acclaimed album, One World. This album marked his first significant release in the wake of personal struggles and changing musical directions, positioning him as a resilient artist navigating the evolving landscape of rock and folk music.
Stylistic neighbors: Nick Drake· Tim Buckley· Richard Thompson