SCOTT MARTIN

"On first listen, I found Scott’s rich multi-octave voice pristine & sincere as the late John Denver. Since Denver’s passing, I’ve never come across any singer-songwriter who was his equal in that genre. But Scott just may have gotten the nod. His voice, without over-emoting, has solid enthusiasm that’s infectious. The tonality has pure vitality & the songs themselves seem to have that thoroughly alive sound.

The fact that Scott with his finger-style guitar playing & alternate tuning expertise provides a big plus. He also plays piano, does the orchestrations & adds drum programming. His sense of melody & lyrics is commendable. Nothing sappy, cliched, or novelty-oriented. Yes, at times his songs are cultivated more from a 70s sensibility but that doesn’t undermine the quality of any song. Even when he dips a toe briefly into some Michael Martin Murphy shallows.

With some parts added later, Martin co-produced the album with multi-instrumentalist Michael Henchman (fretless & fretted bass/electric guitar/drums/vocals/percussion, keys-synth). This 40-minute CD is Martin’s second after a 25+ year hiatus.

Corner of the World (Drops March 11–Independent) features 10-tracks with exemplary interplay between stringed instruments & diversified vocals throughout. By “We Dance Together,” a duet with Rose Winters is exceptional & on “A Little Mystery,” Scott’s voice both times — possesses the attractive timbre & intonation of Irish singer-songwriter Paul Brady (whose songs have been covered by Tina Turner).

“One More Beautiful Day,” has Martin’s vocals cruising reminiscent as prime James Taylor. This isn’t an imitation but a groove, if you want to call it that, that summons that feeling in the musical soul of the sweet baby James crooner. Quite impressive.

Despite the Denver, Brady & Taylor comparisons, Scott has moments when he touches vocally on the deeper resonance of the late Michael Smotherman (“Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?”) & the legendary FM radio laid-back vocalist, the late crooner Kenny Rankin (“Silver Morning”). It’s these as well that set Martin apart from average singers. Put all of these styles together, shake vigorously & you’ll have the diversified artistry of Scott Martin — all those qualities from one golden throat."

John Apice, Americana Highways

"After more than 55 years of writing about music, I still get such a thrill in discovering a new artist whose music knocks me off my feet. That is very much the case with Scott Martin. Scott’s voice will connect your heart. He follows the rangy contours of his finger style playing with heartbreak stories and searching questions. His words and his music combine to create something cinematic, a word that describes so much of this album."

Alan Cackett, Americana, Roots, Country  & Bluegrass Music