Thro My Eyes: Vertigo Years 1970-1974

Iain Matthews presents a 102-track, 5CD box set retrospective featuring 2024 remasters of his three albums made for Vertigo Records at the start of his solo career in the early 1970s. The collection also includes a live version of his first Vertigo album, with 37 previously unreleased tracks. Among these is a newly-compiled CD of live performances titled ‘Vertigo Years 1971-2022’.

An original member of the folk rock band Fairport Convention from 1967 to 1969, Iain Matthews left to form his own band, Matthews Southern Comfort, achieving chart success in 1970 with Joni Mitchell's ‘Woodstock’. His career continued to flourish in the 1970s with solo albums for Vertigo, Elektra, and CBS/Columbia. As a founder member of Plainsong, a 6CD box set titled ‘Following Amelia’ is also available on Cherry Red Records. Still active in the music industry today, Iain Matthews embodies talent and longevity in his craft.

The new box set, ‘Thro’ My Eyes: The Vertigo Years 1970-1974’, showcases the original albums from Iain Matthews's deal with Vertigo - ‘If You Saw Thro’ My Eyes’, ‘Tigers Will Survive’, and ‘Journeys From Gospel Oak’. The comprehensive collection features previously unreleased material from Iain's archives, including recordings from his 1971 residency at the Bitter End in New York with future Plainsong members Andy Roberts and Bobby Ronga, as well as former Fairport bandmate Richard Thompson.

Additionally, the box set includes Vertigo era tracks recorded live in Paris, a live version of his first solo album from an 18-date tour of The Netherlands in 2003, and tracks from the ‘Notebook Series’ which are now out-of-print. Experience the evolution of Iain Matthews's music through this comprehensive and immersive collection.