| The Road to Ruin | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | John and Beverley Martyn |
| Cover: | road to ruin.jpg |
| Released: | November 1970 |
| Recorded: | spring 1970 |
| Studio: | Sound Techniques, Chelsea, London |
| Genre: | Folk rock |
| Length: | 42:18 (2005 reissue) |
| Label: | UK Island: ILPS 9133 USA Warner Bros.: WS 1882 |
| Producer: | Joe Boyd |
| Prev Title: | Stormbringer! |
| Prev Year: | 1970 |
| Next Title: | Bless the Weather |
| Next Year: | 1971 |
The Road to Ruin is a 1970 album released by husband and wife John and Beverley Martyn. It was the second (and last) album released as a duo. Island Records persuaded John Martyn to resume his solo career as they believed that the public was more interested in John as a solo artist rather than as part of a duo. The album marked the first collaboration on record between John and bassist Danny Thompson, who featured on many of Martyn's subsequent recordings.
The album's first track "Primrose Hill" written and sung by Beverley Martyn, and featuring Ray Warleigh on saxophone, about the simple joys of domesticity, was extensively sampled by Fatboy Slim for the track "North West Three" from his 2004 album Palookaville.
All tracks composed by John Martyn except where indicated.
The remastered CD release includes the following previously unreleased track:
Arrangement for "Say What You Can" by Tony Cox. All other arrangements by John Martyn and Paul Harris.