John Martyn-Has his style changed over the years?

Subject: John Martyn
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 02:13 PM

Again today I saw some of the footage of one of the transatlantic sessions (Tara TV airs it almost weekly it seems)
I really liked the John Martyn piece and had not heard of him before. So I checked the internet and found various bits and pieces
I recognised the bassist too, who I now know is Danny Thompson, he really seems to love playing

So what I really want to know is, which CD should I get for that bluesy sound (preferably with DT on it too)
Has his style changed over the years? His appearance certainly has

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 06:25 PM

Dear Roger,

I also really like John Martyn's guitar playing. My favorite albums of his (all of which feature Danny Thompson on the bass) are "Bless the Weather," "Solid Air," "Inside Out," "Sunday's Child," and "Live at Leeds." The song "Easy Blues" on Solid Air has a great guitar and bass interchange break in it. There's a three song segment on Live at Leeds that is just phenomenal to listen to, the way he goes from one song to the next. When John Martyn became a little more keyboard/band oriented I sort of lost interest. I like the guitar oriented stuff. I saw him play a concert in Chicago in 1983 and was amazed by his electric guitar playing and disappointed that he only did three acoustic numbers (though they were "Spencer the Rover, Easy Blues, and May you Never). So,that would be my recommendation for Martyn albums to look for.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: John Nolan
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 08:32 PM

His name has changed over the years, too. It used to be Ian McGeechie, before he took off for London from Glasgow.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Larkin
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 04:14 AM

Dear Roger

As far as I'm concerned he's the man ! I agree with Phil that the later albums aren't so interesting to acoustic players but all the early albums are fantastic - Check out Seven Black Roses on His second album The Tumbler.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 02:48 PM

One of his recent recordings (where he just did cover versions of songs, Church with one Bell, I think), he does a great job of singing Rev. Gary Davis' "Death Don't Have no Mercy." Highly synthesized arrangement, but good treatment of the song.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 03:42 PM

Wonderful singer/guitarist -saw him a few years ago -first in the pub before the concert where he drank four double bacardi and cokes -he then had several pints of beer on stage and a spliff which he smoked during the set at half time he was back in the pub with the bacardis -I hope he wasn't driving home!

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:19 PM

Now, a year later, I was wondering about some other bit of John Martyn esoterica. On the album "Bless the Weather" on the song "Sugar Lump" the electric guitar part sounds an awful lot like Richard Thompson's playing style. I know Thompson is credited as playing on the album, but it also states that John Martyn was playing all the guitars. While Martyn certainly has the chops, it still sounds a lot like Thompson to me. Does anyone know? Or, care to speculate? I know the fate of nations does not rest on this.

Linda, if you're still around reading this, I saw John Martyn in Chicago in 1983. He was, indeed heavily hitting the booze and begging the audience to throw joints on stage. Great show, he only did three acoustic numbers, but they were some of my favorites.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 04:46 PM

Still an amazing performer -have a couple of albums and recommend the John Martyn Live- wonderful singer don't know if he would be sober. seems to be back on the festival circuit in the UK so may catch him aga soon.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 06:11 PM

I read an interview with him a couple years back saying he had cleaned up his act. I had read he was riding in a car that was involved in an accident recently. Sounds like he was slightly injured. On his website there was mention of him threatening to do an acoustic album again. That'd be something I'd love to hear.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST,boab_d
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 02:23 AM

Hello there is an album called "london conversation " which is absolutely fantastic the first song blew me away its called "fairytale Lullaby" and its such a great song if you decide to by this album than this is by far the best track on it its just a nice wee song along with social commentary songs on the album it also has a really good version of the Bob Dylan may you never better than Dylan's.
Go to the guitar freaks site at guitarfreaks.com or the bigmuff.com absolutely fantastic these also have tablature section and its just great.Enjoy
Dylan

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST,longarm
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 02:50 AM

My Band supported John Martyn at Essex Uni about 1972 and he was scoring joints off the audience then!

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:10 AM

Boab, "May You Never" is not a Bob Dylan song. It has been recorded by Eric Clapton (on "Slowhand" I think) and performed by Ralph McTell. However, it's actually John Martyn's own song. Like others here, I am also a big fan of his earlier stuff - especially "Solid Air" and "Head and Heart". There is also a jokey, but curiously moving version of "Singing in the Rain" at the end of "Bless the Weather".

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Larkin
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:23 AM

How weird that this thread has come up again today- I recieved a letter from the library this morning that the two John Martyn albums I reserved - Church with one bell and Glasgow walker, have just come in - Let you know what they're like later!! Do.do.do.do..............

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:45 AM

Can't see it myself, I find the guy sings in an over mannered fashion, and in so doing sounds contrived, sometimes the next line is so long coming I think he's forgotten the words, and when they do come, I wish he had forgotten them. I remember him when he arrived in London all those years ago, after running away from Scotland to seek fame and fortune, and change his name. Still, it worked for Ewan McColl.
Giok

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Hamish
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:07 AM

Top man! He was on archive footage on The Old Grey Whistle Test Years (1978) last week doing I'd rather be the devil - awesome! Using lots of delay - in pre-digital delay days (I guess it was a Watkins Copicat?) But, yes, he goes from being suitably stoned, to too drunk, to pretty straightened out on a fairly regular basis. I saw him in a cleaned up state in London in the early '80s and many missed the start of his set because he was on stage on time! And he was brilliant. But you may get him in a bad phase: that's the joy of live music!?!

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST,boab d
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 08:40 AM

Sorry I meant "Don't think Twice" and that s an even better version than the one that Bob Dylan never did.
Dylan

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST,Ivan
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 09:58 AM

I used to see him often in London - late 60's early 70's at a variety of clubs. His best period to my mind. I remember him at Cousins doing singing in the rain with the audience doing the dooby does. i also recall one night when he was passing round bottles of wine. Maybe to make up for the spliffs. Top man but I think faded in recent years. Sad bugger took some singing lessons from Phil Collins - what else else you say?

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 May 04 - 03:54 AM

I found this BBC Press release, which may be of interest.

BBC Documentary "Johnny Too Bad"

The BBC have completed the documentary which will be transmitted on BBC 4 at 10pm, Friday 28th May and repeated on Saturday 29th May.
[2004]

The BBC press release says, "BBC Four takes an in-depth look at the life and genius of the singer-songwriter John Martyn, whose drawling vocals and virtuoso guitar playing have inspired many. Contributors to this intimate portrait include Phil Collins, the late Robert Palmer, Ralph McTell, Chris Blackwell, Danny Thompson, John's ex-wife Beverley Martyn and younger generation fan Beth Orton.

The documentary also contains classic performance archive including the Old Grey Whistle Test (dating back from 1973) Sight & Sound in Concert(1977) and Later With Jools Holland alongside home movies and family photos of Martyn as a child.

Martyn is the consummate musician's musician - his songs feature highly in any audiophile's collection and his music has been an inspiration over decades to many household names. His refusal to compromise who he is or the music he makes has meant major commercial success has eluded him - but made him treasured all the more intensely by his fans. In profiling his journey the film looks at his traumatic and often dramatic life.

When filming began Martyn was facing one of those life-changing moments that seems to have pervaded his career. A seemingly mundane leg injury led to a gross infection and the only prognosis was to have it amputated below the knee. The film follows him pre and post leg-amputation, observing the effect it has on his life and those around him, whilst simultaneously dipping into the past and learning more about his career - from the folk clubs in the Sixties, to his best-loved album Solid Air, to his continuing musical xperimentation."

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 04 - 09:01 PM

John is playing the royal centre at Nottinham this wednesday. One guy who does top versions of his songs is of course Derek Brimstone- Ilove Derek's music!

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 05 May 04 - 12:51 AM

I was sorry to hear about John's injury. I was thinking about how I thought the first three songs on side two of his Live at Leeds album was a great example of moving from one song to another.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Nick
Date: 05 May 04 - 09:50 AM

There was a very upbeat review of his latest album I read in the Daily Telegraph last weekend which picked his album as the cd of the week. Apparently - given his leg problem - it is remarkably positive and I will check it out soon.

First saw him in Leicester in the late 1970's playing with Danny Thompson. Very kindly shared his herbal cigarettes with the audience and great to hear.

There is a double Island Years cd which covers most of his work from Solid Air times forwards and is a good introduction to most of his stuff. If you are a member of York library they have a copy in their CD section (unlikely I realise!!) which is currently available - I returned it on Saturday.

Angeline - I don't wanna know about evil - Head and heart - Bless the Weather are among my favourites.

Coincidentally I was practising May You Never yesterday with the aim of playing it tonight.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Nick
Date: 05 May 04 - 10:09 AM

If you can get hold of his early albums with his ex-wife Beverley they are really good too. 'Stormbringer' is one if I remember right though I haven't heard it for the best part of 30 years, and there was at least one other whose name escapes me.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 May 04 - 12:21 PM

Road to Ruin?

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 05 May 04 - 04:28 PM

Yeah, Road to Ruin was the second. I have both of them on vinyl. Was thinking of the words to Just Now while doing my day job today.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Gray D
Date: 05 May 04 - 08:10 PM

As a fan of the old John Martyn stuff I have to say, "People, be warned!".

There is a "Best of . . ." album out there somewhere upon which Phil Collins takes the most beautiful of JM's songs and gives them a full-on "Muscle Shoals" (sp?), R and B makeover, complete with his own subtle, understated, feather-light drumming.

It is a work of absolute, bl@@dy sacrilege (IMO).

If you see a copy in a remainder bin somewhere do the world a favour, buy it, then burn it.

Gray D

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 May 04 - 03:45 AM

I aws at acar boot sale a few years ago and found about a dozen home tapes featuring all of John's work from London Coversation to the 80s. All titles immaculately written etc. They all sounded like somebody frying eggs whilst sifting gravel. BIG disapointment. I still like Dusty from The Tumbler as well as any recent things. Looking forward to the telly programme.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST,Moleskin Joe
Date: 06 May 04 - 05:01 AM

I remember the shock when I discovered that this guy who could fill the Apollo was the same guy I used to see in Montrose Street. Back about 1963 when he was only about 15 or 16 he used to fill in at the interval. He was an excellent guitar player but had no voice. I particularly remember him doing Deep Elum Blues which he got from Hamish Imlach. I heard he came back to live in Moscow some years ago.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: The Shambles
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 02:08 PM

Johnny Too Bad (first shown on BBC 4) is now set to be shown on BBC 2 11.35 Friday 2 July 2004.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 02:11 AM

Looks as if I will have to get someone to video it for me as we will be travelling at this time.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: AllanW
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 04:16 AM

I used to enjoy going to the annual Fairport bash at Cropredy. I even remember the first one with Richard and Linda Thompson in the rain! But for my money, the best moment of all was the year they had the good sense to invite John Martyn and Danny Thompson. They were outstanding. August 14 1987 (I even remember the date, how's that for an anorak?) There's a live tv recording - Live In Dublin - which is from about the same time, and almost the same set.

Live in Leeds is the album to have. Solid Air you should already have - naughty.

Johnny Too Bad, which The Sambles recommends, is an absolute hoot. I watched it the first time around, then watched the videotape again immediately after. Don't miss it.

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 02:13 AM

I am afraid that I will miss it this Friday but if I post and refresh the thread, perhaps this will ensure that no one else does...........

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 01:31 AM

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: Flash Company
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 04:29 AM

The BBC 4 documentary is on BBc2 tonight at about a typical 11.35

FC

Subject: RE: John Martyn
From: GUEST,ritchie
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 12:51 PM

thank you for the refresh ...i would have forgot ...what with euro2004 and big brother ...mmmmmm.... watched phoenix nights last night tho' ...still a couple of jars and a bit john Martyn is a good way to end my holidays ... hope i can stay awake ...he is so soothing..... years ago after a few drinks i would put something by JM on , usually Bless the weather or perhaps inside out and lie on the floor with my headphones on .... my wife could nt understand it or john Martyn eventually i persuaded her to go see him ... it was one of the best nights we ever had. The man is as they say ... cool. with loads of style. We saw him last month on his 'on the cobbles tour' Roger as to what to buy ...go for anything as long as you accompany it with your favourite tipple you cant go wrong.

thanks again for the reminder.

regards

Ritchie