The Greatest Living Englishman was Martin's first 'solo' album proper (IE called Martin Newell, not Cleaners From Venus, Dead Students etc). It was released  in 1992 and actually received great praise from almost all who got to review it and sold very well for a largely unpublicised release on a new independent label (Humbug). 

It almost didn't happen at all however, Martin had started out on what was to become a sucessful and (in comparison with his musical experiences) lucrative career in poetry and wasn't interested in "putting his pop trousers back on" .  However label head Kevin Crace convinced Martin by talking XTC's Andy Partridge into producing the proposed album and it turned out to be a match made in heaven. The two remain firm friends to this day. 

The modus operandi of recording the album was not unlike Martin's previous work. The album was recorded in Andy Partridge's home studio in a "shed" in the back garden of his modest 2 up 2 down in  Swindon. Martin played and sang most of the parts,  Andy did clever things with a computer, programmed the drums and delivered one of his best ever guitar solos to the achingly poignant " We'll Build A House ". Captain Sensible supplied a vocanic guitar to the final track, former poem, " The Green Gold Girl Of The Summer " and erstwhile Cleaner From Venus Lol Elliot supplied evocative aural vignettes between the tracks. 

The album, to many, remains the pinnacle of Martin's career. It is one  of those rare  albums that has a magic and identity all it's own. It is bigger than the sum of it's parts and is the perfect introduction to Martin's music. 

An extended version was available with two extra tracks 
Elizabeth of Mayhem/When My Ship Comes In .

An initial version had a bonus poetry performance CD called Live At The Greyhound.

You can buy this album from Cherry Red and Jarmusic.