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29 Jan 09 - 08:33 AM (#2551874) Subject: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: John MacKenzie Just heard on the news today, that John Martyn has died, at the early age of 60. I remember him from London in the 60s, and I am shattered that he has gone so young. HJM |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:33 AM (#2551875) Subject: Obit: John Martyn 29th January 2009 From: Dick The Box BBC news is reporting the death of John Martyn. The information comes from his official website. No further details as yet. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:38 AM (#2551879) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Zen Oh dear... that's dreadful news. R.I.P. John Zen |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:38 AM (#2551883) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn From: theleveller Really sad news - they're playing 'may You Never Lay your Head Down' on the radio at this moment. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:42 AM (#2551885) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Bonnie Shaljean I'm horrified, and sad beyond any words to tell it. R.I.P. Clones, please combine the two obit threads - this one is going to run and run. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:44 AM (#2551888) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Mick Tems What happened? Was it a heart attack or a sudden illness? |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:47 AM (#2551892) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Bonnie Shaljean Don't think anyone knows yet. The BBC report was only 8 minutes old when I posted. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:51 AM (#2551899) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: GUEST, Sminky Terrible news. Coming so soon after Davey Graham's passing too. I'll never forget that night at The Magic Garden in Hull in the early 70's. RIP John. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:51 AM (#2551900) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: maeve This is a huge loss. maeve |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:53 AM (#2551906) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: RolyH Very sad news. |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:58 AM (#2551915) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: goatfell so sad |
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29 Jan 09 - 08:58 AM (#2551916) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: cptsnapper He was on last Friday night's episode of the Transatlantic Sessions shown on BBC4 singing " May You Never " with Kathy Mattea. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:01 AM (#2551919) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Greenacres sad news indeed. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:06 AM (#2551920) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Leadfingers Bummer !!! |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:17 AM (#2551926) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine Truly sad news. Rest in peace. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:24 AM (#2551933) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: scouse R.I.P John,will miss you!! Gone to join Alex,Hammish,Derroll,Iain, What a line up!!!Wouldn't wanna be last in line for the whiskey bottle!! As Aye, Phil. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:24 AM (#2551934) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: MoorleyMan So so sad - another good man done gone. Words fail me. RIP John. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:29 AM (#2551936) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Drumshanty Shedding a tear for the man who wrote the song that defined the love of my life. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:33 AM (#2551939) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz Rest in Peace... |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:40 AM (#2551944) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Lizzie Cornish 1 John Martyn - Youtube - May You Never Lay Your Head Down "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning." The room was dark, save for a few orange lights, shining out behind a single chair. All around students were sat on the floor at Brunel University, I sat along with them, with my then boyfriend, who'd got us tickets to see a man I'd never heard of before. Suddenly, in he walked, a quiet, shy young man...with just a guitar. He sat down, and a hush hit the room like a lightning bolt, as they all knew what was about to happen. I was almost touching his feet, it was that intimate a gig... He got himself comfy, put his guitar on his lap and that's when I sat with my mouth literally open, as this man made that guitar of his dance and sing..For two hours I don't recall much else save for John's playing. Thanks for the music, John. Heck, but you were great! And may those many hands now be holding you, giving you peace at long last. |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:41 AM (#2551945) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: George Papavgeris Shedding a tear here too, Drumshanty - John's music defined a very important period in my life. And he then went on to influence my son too. Shit, that hurts! R.I.P. John, and Thanks |
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29 Jan 09 - 09:54 AM (#2551953) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: alanabit The clip reminded me of just how very good he was. There was a unique voice and a percussive guitar style, but which always suported the melody busily throughout. I have been singing his beautiful "Head and Heart" for years. Farewell to a very special man. |
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29 Jan 09 - 10:13 AM (#2551964) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Big Mick A huge loss. This man knew where the veins of raw ore existed in the human condition, and he knew how to mine it. He did it with extraordinary lyrics, the ability to pull you in with the turning of a phrase, and guitar work that simply floated it all into your deepest regions. The loss is felt by us all, but I imagine among our British friends, it is felt the deepest of all. His voice is out there. I hear it in my friend George Papavgeris, and many others. Rest well, and thanks for the music. Mick |
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29 Jan 09 - 10:14 AM (#2551965) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Dave Sutherland Dreadful news; really can't take it in. One of this country's great singer songwriters without mentioning his skill as a guitarist. A huge influence on the folk scene which will be considerably poorer for his passing. RIP. |
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29 Jan 09 - 10:27 AM (#2551974) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: cooperman More bad news - after DG this is very hard to take. What an exceptional talent, so original and unique. Thank you John for such fine music over the years. You took me somewhere higher, I hope you are there now - RIP |
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29 Jan 09 - 11:11 AM (#2552005) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Mrs Scarecrow very very sadened to read this |
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29 Jan 09 - 11:26 AM (#2552019) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Jean(eanjay) Such sad news. He had just been appointed OBE. |
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29 Jan 09 - 11:29 AM (#2552023) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Nick Sad to hear always been one of my favourites. First saw him in about 1972 and still play a number of his songs. The only thing that depresses me even more is that I have probably heard more people murder his best known song than I care to remember. That version with Kathy Mattea is WONDERFUL. I think it's perhaps more surprising that he lived so long given some of the stories about him (and told by him). |
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29 Jan 09 - 11:42 AM (#2552034) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Eric the Viking I don't often feel compelled to write about sad passings such as this(They are too often and frequent) but he was a man who influenced me from very early on in my love of folk music. I met him a couple of times (just met, nothing more than that) Once in the Phoenix folk club in London about 1967/8 and stood at the bar chatting after he'd played his set and then at York Uni about 73/74 where him and Philip Goodhand Tate substituted for John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee. He passed joints out along the front row where I was sitting (Really good stuff !!). His voice,guitar playing and style was mesmorising. "Fisherman's dream", holds a special place. |
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29 Jan 09 - 12:16 PM (#2552053) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Anne Lister When a death announcement prompts a very ex boyfriend of mine to send an email to me to tell me how sad he is it's proof of just how important a figure someone has been for us all. It's been a bad month for losses. There must be an amazing session going on up there in the clouds these days. Anne |
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29 Jan 09 - 12:58 PM (#2552085) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Folkiedave Tribute by Chris Blackwell (Island Records) who first recorded him on PM. If you look for the Iplayer it is just before the weather at the end of the programme. |
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29 Jan 09 - 02:20 PM (#2552159) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn 29/01/09 From: Betsy How many singers and versions have I heard of "May you never" I even do a version myself.It must be getting on for a hundred. Simple, yet sophisticated. RIP John, a great songsmith. |
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29 Jan 09 - 02:36 PM (#2552177) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Tunesmith I first saw John in London folk clubs back in the 60s, and initially I didn't think he was anything special, but he just got better and better. A unique voice - and very a special guitarist. |
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29 Jan 09 - 02:38 PM (#2552179) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Linda Kelly One of the very best. |
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29 Jan 09 - 02:42 PM (#2552187) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: folkwaller |
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29 Jan 09 - 02:44 PM (#2552190) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: folkwaller so so sorry. |
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29 Jan 09 - 03:13 PM (#2552206) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: fat B****rd There's nothing to add, I'm glad I saw him at the Coatham Bowl , Redcar in the early 80s and have so much of his music to listen to. RIP Big John. |
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29 Jan 09 - 03:54 PM (#2552247) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Greycap Did my first 'Country Meets Folk' with him on the same bill. A sad loss.Dammnit!! |
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29 Jan 09 - 05:40 PM (#2552317) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: van lingle I'm gonna fish out a scratchy old "Solid Air" and have a drink to John. |
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29 Jan 09 - 06:20 PM (#2552350) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Bonnie Shaljean BBC story has filled out a bit since I saw it earlier: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7858458.stm There's a talk-back section at the bottom which says What memories do you have of John Martyn? What did his music mean to you? Send us your comments using the form below. Some of the folks here might think of posting a recollection or two - |
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29 Jan 09 - 06:32 PM (#2552356) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker saw him on TV in concert, way back when i was a young teen.. his stunning use of hypnotic repeat guitar delay and echo FX was a huge influence on me. |
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29 Jan 09 - 06:36 PM (#2552362) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Bonnie Shaljean He died in hospital in Kilkenny where had been living for some years. Here's an interview from 2004 which appeared in the RTÉ Guide: http://www.rteguide.ie/star_of_the_day.html Now in Kilkenny, it is reported There are marble stones as black as ink With gold and silver I would transport her But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink I'm drunk today but I'm seldom sober A handsome rover from town to town Ah, but I'm sick now, my days are over Come all ye young lads, and lay me down |
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30 Jan 09 - 01:45 AM (#2552591) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Bugsy Very sad news indeed music will be the poorer for his passing. Rest easy John. Bugsy |
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30 Jan 09 - 05:43 AM (#2552691) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST I have had my good cry now. John was really the only muscian I revered, for far too many reasns to go into. We all just assume that one's life goes on from day to day. John managed to touch our hearts so delightfully and vigorusly. Rare is such a gift. I guess I don't have to keep worrying about him any longer. My heart is all broken at this news. Little pieces have fallen down around. Why is it that the truly talented among us never achieve rightful recognition while they are living and struggling? Anyone with half a brain should have been obviously stunned by a man of John's talent! I feel blessed to have loved him and his music. Life is just gonna feel a little bit colder and lonelier, I guess |
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30 Jan 09 - 05:54 AM (#2552699) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Flash Company Apparently he lost a leg due to ulcer problems. Could this have been diabetes? I have two friends who have been taken along the same route. RIP John. you will be missed! FC |
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30 Jan 09 - 05:56 AM (#2552700) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Bonnie Shaljean I think the loss of the leg was due to septicaemia, which came about as the result of an accident. He talks about it in that RTÉ interview. |
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30 Jan 09 - 06:33 AM (#2552718) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Sally Stamford; the lemonade lady A great loss indeed. A wonderful man and great song writer. I remember many sunny days listenting to him when I was about 16 and in my mis-spent youth. Long time will the memory of him live on. Sal |
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30 Jan 09 - 07:19 AM (#2552762) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST, Sminky He was interviewed by the Daily Mirror in September last year, just before his 60th birthday. Entitled 'Martyn on his nine lives', he makes some comments which sound just heart-breaking now: "I guess I'm hard to kill," Martyn shrugs. "I really love life and recently I've got back to doing the things that I loved as a child – looking at birds and foxes in the back garden." "I have to get ready for my 70th now," he says. "In The Bible it says you live three score years and 10 – so I'm not done yet. I'm going to give it my best shot for the big seven oh!" In another interview with Mojo the following month, he was asked if he found it difficult singing 'Solid Air' in the aftermath of Nick Drake's death: "No, it was never difficult singing that – people shuffle off their mortal coil left, right and centre, don't they? No one's written a song about me yet [laughs]. That's because I'm still here." |
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30 Jan 09 - 12:01 PM (#2552989) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz Just found this beautiful tribute to John Martyn by my YouTube Friend, snicky58...For those who loved his music...SOLID AIR... http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=2EFd5y-yozk bob |
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30 Jan 09 - 12:20 PM (#2553005) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: High Hopes (inactive) A truly great singer gone, a gap that can never be filled, a chair that should remain empty John Martyn 1948–2009 RIP |
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30 Jan 09 - 05:08 PM (#2553223) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Rog Peek Transatlantic sessions on BBC4 tonight showed John singing Big Muff. Strange coincidence. Very sad news. Rog |
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30 Jan 09 - 07:24 PM (#2553306) Subject: Obit: John Martyn, (60) From: robomatic John Martyn, a Scottish singer and guitarist whose gentle mix of folk and jazz and innovative use of electronic effects have influenced a broad range of musicians since the 1970s, died on Thursday in Kilkenny, Ireland. He was 60. The cause was complications of pneumonia, said Jim Tullio, his longtime record producer. Mr. Martyn emerged from the London folk scene of the mid-1960s with a crisp and distinctive guitar style, but he had his greatest impact in the '70s with albums that took that sound in new directions. Inspired in part by the slow-burning, mystical jazz of the American saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, he devolved a keen sense of texture and atmospherics, transforming ballads into sensuous rhapsodies. Making novel use of the Echoplex and other devices in songs like "Glistening Glyndebourne" (1971), he manipulated the sound of his acoustic guitar, making it pulse and throb hypnotically, an effect widely imitated throughout the '70s and '80s. Although his music never had a wide appeal, Mr. Martyn released more than 20 albums and has been emulated by generations of musicians. David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Phil Collins recorded with him, and Eric Clapton sang Mr. Martyn's song "May You Never" on his 1977 album, "Slowhand." Even Sade, the Nigerian-born queen of suave soft pop, has praised his breathy, romantic voice, which often slurred through improvisations. Born Iain David McGeachy near London to parents who were light opera singers and who split when he was young, he was reared in Glasgow. He began playing guitar in his teens, influenced by Davy Graham, the patriarch of British folk guitar in the 1960s. In London, he was persuaded by his agent to use a snappier name. Spotting a Martin guitar in the corner of the agent's office, he altered one letter and dubbed himself John Martyn. He signed with Island Records, and after two albums in a relatively straightforward folk style — "London Conversation" (1967) and "The Tumbler" (1968) — he married Beverley Kutner, a singer on whose album he had been hired to perform. In 1970 they released two joint albums, "Stormbringer!" and "The Road to Ruin," on which Mr. Martyn began to develop his jazzy style. In 1973 Mr. Martyn released two albums that many critics consider canonical achievements of progressive British folk: "Inside Out" and "Solid Air," whose wistful title song is a tribute to Nick Drake, the gifted but troubled British singer who died of an overdose of antidepressants the next year. Mr. Martyn struggled with alcoholism throughout his adulthood, and in 1977 he went to Jamaica for his health. There he collaborated with Lee (Scratch) Perry, one of the giants of reggae, releasing the reggae-tinged album "One World" that fall. His marriage to Ms. Kutner ended in divorce, and "Grace and Danger," which Mr. Martyn made in 1980, has, like Richard and Linda Thompson's 1982 album "Shoot Out the Lights," become a classic record of a relationship's painful end. In 1983 he married Annie Furlong, who died in the 1990s. Mr. Martyn is survived by his companion, Theresa Walsh, and three children: Wesley, Spenser and Mhairi McGeachy. Since an injury in 2003 that led to the amputation of his right leg below the knee, Mr. Martyn had largely been unable to tour, despite encouragement from musicians like Beck and Devendra Banhart. But in October he played at Joe's Pub in Manhattan with a longtime collaborator, the bassist Danny Thompson, in a performance that Jon Pareles of The New York Times called "brief yet heartening." Mr. Tullio, his producer, said that Mr. Martyn had lately been energized by a series of accolades. Last February he received a lifetime achievement award, presented by Mr. Collins, at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Last month he was named an officer of the Order of the British Empire. But he was most excited about a recording project he had just begun, Mr. Tullio said: an album with his hero, Pharoah Sanders. |
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30 Jan 09 - 07:32 PM (#2553308) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Jeri The above Obit was copied from the NY Times, and was written by By Ben Sisario (just to give proper credit). |
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31 Jan 09 - 05:19 AM (#2553517) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Phil Edwards That obit plays the story with a very straight bat, doesn't it? in 1977 he went to Jamaica for his health Good move. Go to Jamaica, get right away from all those nasty intoxicants. They can do strange things to a person's mind, you know. There he collaborated with Lee (Scratch) Perry OK, never mind. |
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31 Jan 09 - 07:05 AM (#2553552) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,JohnnyBeezer My friend bought me 'The Tumbler' for my birthday in 1968. Never forget you John. Sleep easy RIP. |
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01 Feb 09 - 10:50 PM (#2554957) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: paulhenrys When I was in school (Connecticut, US) in the 70's I used to hang out at the campus coffeehouse. I'd play there as often as they'd let me. I wrote achingly self-conscious songs that it pains me deeply to remember. One evening I heard a performer who, unlike myself, did not suck. His name was Chris Reed. Not only did he write well, he sang well, and he played well. He had this technique on the guitar that I'd never seen before. When I asked him about it, he mentioned the name, John Martyn. That name became a stepping stone for me. Through John Martyn, I got exposed to a broader approach to the guitar. I got exposed to Nick Drake, and eventually, Richard Thompson. He was one of the pivot points of my musical life, and I will never forget him. |
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04 Feb 09 - 04:15 AM (#2556813) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Suffolknwhat John Martyn was such a great musician and human being(at least when I met him). I was helping to run a folk club in East London in the late 1960s and early 1970s and we booked John a few times. At that time I was a novice guitarist and John took the time to sit down with me and teach me technique etc. He was the first person to show me how to use altered tunings and I'll always remember his kindness and his professionalism. He always arrived early for our gigs and played his heart out, only stopping when it was unavoidable! A great life and a great loss. |
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07 Feb 09 - 10:40 AM (#2559996) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST Hello Bugsy. You're not the same Bugsy that grew up just south of Edinburgh, later moving to a cottage in Plockton and working on trawlers are you? If this is you, listening to your wonderful singing and playing back then helped to inspire me to learn to sing and play guitar too, something I've been doing professionally now for many years. Please let me know if this is you as it would be good to get back in touch properly. You can contact me through: www.iacmusic.com/magicminds Also through the Edinburgh music scene I was extremely lucky to have actually got to know John Martyn quite well, having already heard and been totally impressed with his recorded music beforehand. I learnt to cover a handful of his songs but unsurprisingly 'May You Never' is the one that gets played most often. It's more than just a song - it seems to have a power of it's own that can help tweak the atmosphere for the better during gigs where I have moments of insecurity, or suspect that parties in the audience are not entirely 'in sympathy' with what I may be trying to do! I attribute this effect at least partly to the profound, powerful and irrefutable message contained in the lyric. I owe a debt of gratitude to the man for creating this amazing song plus a great deal else besides. |
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07 Feb 09 - 12:31 PM (#2560096) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,accuracy re. NY Times obit by By Ben Sisario (above) Just in the interests of accuracy, I understand Wesley is actually Beverley's son from a previous relationship, and Mhairi and Spencer are John's biological children. A little bird told me that he had other offspring in addition to these two. No idea if it's true, but if so, we're not hearing anything about them are we? Anybody know anything more about this? I hope somebody inherited some of that talent. The policy is that you MUST use a consistent identity. This means always, not a new identity every day. Please begin to comply or you risk having your posts deleted. Thanks. |
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07 Feb 09 - 12:46 PM (#2560110) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Shimrod I remember meeting John Martyn in the late 60s. I remember having a good-natured argument with him in someone's front room. I think that the argument was about swearing - but can't remember now. I also remember that some of my mates were a bit shocked because they idolised him even then. I have to say, though, that I was never a big fan - being more of a hard-core traddy myself - although there's no doubt that he was a huge talent. And he died much too young - he was the same age as me, for God's sake! |
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07 Feb 09 - 06:01 PM (#2560367) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Bugsy Sorry "GUEST", wrong Bugsy. Cheers Bugsy |
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15 Apr 13 - 03:47 PM (#3503893) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: GUEST,Susie I was lucky enough to know him - and Annie - very well in the early 80s. Alas - his pancreas finally succumbed to many years' drink and diabetes followed suit. The rest, as they say.... I do miss him very much. He was a star. |
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15 Apr 13 - 11:17 PM (#3504062) Subject: RE: Obit: John Martyn (29 January 2009) From: Phil Cooper I still think of John Martyn's music often. I'm glad there's version of his songs on youtube. He opened my ideas of what you could do with an acoustic guitar. |