There are some songwriting styles that are sufficiently intimate, in that they're best when presented simply, without anything to get between the artist and the listener.
Martyn Joseph has that style, but not the instinct to play it simple.
Being There suffers from over-production -- beautiful over-production, with stellar guests on several tracks, but it's overblown and pompous nevertheless. Tracks like "Dolphins Make Me Cry" verge on self-parody, but even the best cuts can't stand up to the excesses of
Ben Wisch's production.
Martyn Joseph is a very good and emotional singer, but his gifts are wasted on much of this album. ~ Richard Foss