MARTYN JOSEPH

This Is What I Want To Say (Pipe)

Martyn Joseph is an artist who understands the power of songwriting and can harness that power with incredible clarity. Anyone who has followed the Cardiffian’s 40-year career will know Joseph is capable of writing extraordinary songs that stay with you forever, whether you first heard them live or on record. For anyone who hasn’t, imagine the songs of Brandi Carlile being sung by Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler – but a lot better.

On this album, a follow up to his post-pandemic record 1960, Joseph create those moments, most memorably, on songs such as Grateful with a lyric as strong as anything by The Waterboys’ Mike Scott but with a sincerity that is hard to match. Similarly, Waiting For The Rain is a beautiful song of acceptance and care on an album that makes much of Joseph’s native Wales and features excellent contributions from some Swansea musicians.

words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES