I first heard Martin at Sidmouth in 1968, performing brilliantly in the Beach Store with Dave Swarbrick and I’ve been a fan ever since. I used to sing his version of Little Musgrave (from Prince Heathen) to pass the time while I was waiting for the bus to get to the Herga folk club and I still occasionally sing Brave Wolfe from his second album.
Not only has he inspired countless musicians and singers with his singing and playing, but he’s one of the nicest men you could ever meet. I remember an occasion at the Saffron Walden folk festival, when Mick Pearce and I were running a continuous concert in the Town Hall for anyone who wanted a shot at performing and we had some gaps to fill…. I happened to be walking past Martin, who was a booked festival guest, and asked him, just on the offchance, if he could help out with one, and he did.
Kitty