Sunday, August 14, 2011

John Martyn tribute update

Update: Robert's track is now available at Amazon UK & iTunes UK for £0.79. Unfortunately, it looks like Amazon US is making it an "Album Only" track, but you can get it from iTunes US for $0.99.


Set includes 2 CDs, a DVD (no Robert interview or performance), and a 40 page booklet (see Robert's page here). (Thanks Chris)

Robert Smith - Small Hours (BBC 6 Music) by CoF (Thanks Aaron)
If you like the track, please buy it, or the album, when it's released on Aug. 15th/16th. Pre-order links - HMV and Amazon US, UK, Canada, Germany, and Japan.

“I first heard ‘Small Hours’ on the John Peel Show late in 1977 and fell instantly in love with it... ‘One World' very quickly became my favourite John Martyn album... And these beautiful songs were, are and always will be an inspiration and an enchantment.” - Robert Smith (from the press release)

Reviews: The Telegraph, The Morton Report, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Direct Current, RTE

Original story: Both NME and Timber & Steel have news on the John Martyn tribute CD, which includes Robert's cover of 'Small Hours'. The CD has been rescheduled for release on Aug. 15th in the UK and Aug. 16th in North America. Previous story here. (Thanks Lovecat)
Posted by Craig at 10:34 AM

53 comments:

  1. HannahJune 6, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    cool, thanks!

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  2. Eli (carnage visors)June 6, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Off topic, what is Black Tide, and why is it here?

    http://www.thecure.com/events/

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  3. CraigJune 7, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    Just ads for that band. Universal has been doing that for a while now, with various ads for things like that.

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  4. Eli (carnage visors)June 7, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    Thanks for clearing that up Craig.

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  5. Exploding cureJuly 5, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    its cd + dvd?

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  6. CraigJuly 5, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Yes. Double CD, DVD, and a book.

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  7. KeithJuly 5, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    that cover is realy nice...probably the best non cure thing he's done

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  8. TheCure-CollectorJuly 5, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012bw0v/Lauren_Laverne_05_07_2011/

    You can listen the song here at 2:50:16
    Excellent!

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  9. CraigJuly 5, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Yes, that's what I said in the post. : )

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  10. CraigJuly 5, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Keith: I think I'm going to have to agree with that. It's a beautiful song to begin with, and Robert just does a fantastic job with his cover version.

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  11. TheCure-CollectorJuly 5, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    very cure -ish...

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  12. AndrewV127July 5, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    They could easily replace Plainsong and UTS with this as a show opener and I don't think anyone would mind too much.

    It's a good cover, about as good as one could hope for. As good as the original? No? Close? Yes.

    I also think this is the best Robert has sang in a very long time. I give it a solid 10/10. Can you imagine a new Cure album that sounds as good as this?

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  13. aaronjlawJuly 5, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I was waiting for this for ages. The original is amazing and this is brilliant too!

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  14. christinaPJuly 5, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    *cries* Thanks Craig. This is beautiful!

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  15. Rev. HeronJuly 5, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    What a gorgeous song, I love the Robert touches like the surging ocean waves and Plainsong-like chimes - and the Curey guitar sound too!! He sounds amazing here.

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  16. Rev. HeronJuly 5, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    100% love!

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  17. theseashallnothavethemJuly 5, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Wow - just beautiful. I'm on my 3rd listen already, loving it!!!

    Have to agree that this is EASILY the best thing RS has done outside the Cure (and maybe it points towards what that long talked about RS solo album would sound like...)

    Recalls the spacious feel of the Cure's strongest material too, which is never a bad thing in my opinion.

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  18. LindseyJuly 5, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    i love this! i'm not familiar with john martyn at all, but i did listen to the original before this came out, so i've been anticipating this release.

    robert does not "oversing" as i find he does on a lot of recent tracks. he is relaxing his voice more, singing softly, and i really think that's more appealing. i like this track a lot.

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  19. LindseyJuly 5, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    @theseashallnothavethem i agree. i hope THIS is what a solo album would sound like.

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  20. sofiaJuly 5, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    lovely.

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  21. E N T R E A TJuly 5, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    just made a quick video for it, here it is, what a great track, I hope this is what a solo album would sound like
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1ySA8TqExU

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  22. RogerJuly 6, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    "oversing" - that's exactly what i've been trying to put my finger on for the last few years/albums

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  23. currerbellJuly 6, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    I love it!!! and its good for jogging as well (working out for bestival-dancing)

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  24. fatpie1664July 6, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    a sensational cover and as others have mentioned robert's voice is in fine form.

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  25. SLJuly 6, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. SLJuly 6, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    VEry...Very Good Cover from Robert.....very Cure-ish & very "Wish - The cure" sound period!!

    PS>Graig....do u hear some rumours or whispers about a new The cure album or studio projets ?

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  27. MorrisJuly 6, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    beautiful.

    sounds like Bloodflowers era to me.

    Robert plays the most beautiful guitar - it really shines in this song!

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  28. ml68July 6, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    a review

    http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0706/martynj.html

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  29. CraigJuly 6, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Thanks, ml68. Here's the bit about Robert's cover:

    "The Cure's Robert Smith adeptly handles one of the most difficult-to-get-right pieces on the record, Small Hours. Although, Smith's version is busier and more complex than Martyn's, it takes the necessary risk and finds a new brightness, a new effulgence, a new power in the song. Smith first heard Small Hours on The John Peel Show in 1977 and One World, the album from which it is taken, happens to be his favourite."

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  30. 7bluestarsJuly 6, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    This is Robert at his romantic spell-casting best. From only one play, the song captures the heart and soul like only a masterpiece can. It is an enchanting version of an enchanting song. I think the great John Martyn would be very, very happy with this cover.

    How it makes one yearn for more original Cure songs. The band's output has arguably been prodigious, but they still sound a very long way from being a band ready to retire or just repeat the past.

    Perhaps Craig's reticence to answer questions concerning the band's future is a good sign? Unless corrected, I shall take it as such.

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  31. LisaJuly 6, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    wow i love you Robert Smith what a beautiful tribute to John Martyn

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  32. dsfvaxfvdsJuly 6, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    magical.

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  33. 1maggiesJuly 6, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!!!!

    THANKS ROBERT!!!!

    PLEASE MORE, MORE, MORE!!!! ;0)

    soon please...

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  34. Mike CameronJuly 7, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    stupid download limit exceeded with Soundcloud...will someone email me the song to mikec@axisrecapital.com

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  35. CraigJuly 7, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Mike: If you go to the Soundcloud page, you'll see that I added a new download link for it - http://bit.ly/oaXTLF.

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  36. perfect.murderJuly 7, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Very very lovely indeed!

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  37. SLJuly 7, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    I just want a new album with such production/guitars & vocals from Robert, i want to forget the 2 last albums from The cure for the opposite reasons (Awfull production & vocals & bad melodies )

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  38. Eli (carnage visors)July 7, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Nice package!

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  39. SOLEDAD NOSDEOJuly 7, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    the dvd contains some footage with robert?

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  40. CraigJuly 7, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Possibly. Haven't seen the tracklist for the DVD yet. It is said to include interviews with some of the artists, and footage of them recording their covers.

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  41. PietroJuly 7, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    I don't normally get so excited, but this song just blew my mind! It's awesome! Simply, honestly: wow. I'm going to listen to the original right now to try to understand whose is the magic, Robert's or John's :-)

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  42. ml68July 7, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    every morning I wake up and want to hear this track again...that hasn't happened for a long time with any cure/rs related stuff! very very nice...

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  43. E N T R E A TJuly 7, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Is it just me or does the sound towards the beginning sound like Rogers work with the Moog?

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  44. KennaJuly 12, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Wow, this is the first thing that Robert has done since Bloodflowers that gives me goosebumps. (That's 11 years of ho-hum output.) This is such a return to form. Bravo, Robert! See? There's no need to 'oversing'. Your voice is still beautiful.

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  45. KingslayerJuly 13, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    It's so beautiful. I constantly listen to it. Thank you Aaron and Craig for recording/posting. Definitely will purchase when it comes out.

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  46. TwilightKlaasJuly 31, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    WOW!
    Beautiful song.
    Perfect.

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  47. AboyineverknewAugust 9, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Just superb

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  48. Exploding cureAugust 14, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    the version from the cd i think its a different mix from the bbc radio? someone listen in details?

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  49. AndrewV127August 16, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    I bought the set yesterday and I must admit it is truly fantastic. Highly recommended.

    Unlike most cover albums, the artists on this set have a profound respect for John's work and legacy. No one is trying to 'make the song their own' or whatever the buzzwords are that are usually attached to such compilations. Each track is a wonderful as the last and crafted with love and respect.

    I know many of you are just interested in downloading Robert's track, but I'll fully recommend purchasing the complete set. Despite it being composed entirely of covers it's a great starting point into John's music. Use Robert's track as an excuse to treat yourself to some great listening.

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  50. KennaAugust 16, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Just bought the track, by itself, on itunes US. No album purchase necessary!

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  51. theseashallnothavethemAugust 17, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  52. ericAugust 21, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    not on itune canada????

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  53. Christian HøjgaardAugust 30, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    Still not on Itunes Denmark either???

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