Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Marketed simultaneously into mainstream record shops and Christian bookshops they've decided to package Martyn's first studio album for Epic 'Being There' as a bonus when you buy the recorded-live-in-concert 'Undrugged'. I question the wisdom of this particular strategy. For a start nine of the songs Martyn sings live are also on 'Being There'. Secondly, I don't think 'Undrugged' has the passionate intensity of his previous live album 'An Aching And A Longing' (he does a version of the title song of that on 'Undrugged' too). I would certainly recommend this package if you've yet to purchase 'Being There', it's a mature, mellow, acoustic orientated album from a thoughtful songwriting craftsman. But if you've already bought it you could miss this unless you're a devoted Joseph fan/album completist.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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