John Martyn
 

The wonder that is John Martyn..........

Ok, so his music can span across Rock, Jazz, Blues etc, but I thought I'd go with the Folk board for now.

Do we have anyone who appreciates this wonderful talent on MB?

I've heard so many versions of many of his songs, I never get a chance to get bored of any of his music. Many people will recognise his name if they've read anything about Nick Drake - because Solid Air is linked with him.

Stand out songs for me include:

Over The Hill
Angeline
Couldn't Love You more
Head & Heart
Hurt In Your Heart

The instrumental is great. I love it to no end but he tends to mumble sometimes and it's a little distracting. He's greatly underrated. Don't have an album. I really need to pick one up.

I have just downloaded live@Camden palace, London 1984, which i will watch when i get back from spain. looking forward to that muchly.

on preview it seems pretty good quality

The Classics album is very good, or Anthology if you're looking for a mixture of his work.

Other than that, obviously Solid Air , or Bless The Weather , or London Conversation all stand out for me.

http://www.myspace.com/johnmartyn

I like this quite a bit, May You Never is really good.

The instrumental is completely beautiful and I like how his voice goes with it.

He has made some absolutely amazing music, but never one true stand out album, although SOLID AIR is very close. I DONT WANT TO KNOW is in my all time top ten-amazing beautiful track.

Here is a compilation that will help with your appreciation of the man:

MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

"I know you, I love you / And I can be your friend / I can follow you anywhere / Even through solid air."

Show some more appreciation guys, this dudes incredible.

I'm bumping this. It is absolutely criminal that his name is not revered more, especially in the U.K.

Has this poor guy got to croak before he recieves more attention?



Now that is honesty in music!

Has anyone got the full programme of this? I'm desperate to see the full episode.

I am still working on my John Martyn post for my Intro Audo thread.

I will save most of my feelings save to say, I find him very hard to pigeon hole.

What a great artist with a wonderful voice. He reminds me of the soft side of Nick Drake and so many other things at once.

What albums have you heard as I could give you some pointers?

Thanks for the up!
I've listened to some of his stuff here and there before, but never really bought/downloaded anything.
Any particular album to get?

Bless The Weather
One World
Solid Air
Glasgow Walker

All great albums that showcase his versatility.

Fuckin' hell. :(

For UK peeps. Broadcast last night. John live in '77. he's completely drunk- what a man! The second track 'Small Hours' is simply stunning.

BBC iPlayer - The Old Grey Whistle Test: John Martyn In Concert

sheez. this is great, only halfway through but i had to comment. It's great to see him in action in his prime this is obviously before the divorce, he seems to be walking on air!) - and it shows you how unusual his playing style was, how he did all of his effects... I think he's gaffer taped a pickup to his acoustic. Such a contrast to that latter-day video you posted

It's a pity it's only half hour long :( He was a brilliant guitar player and should have been noted for it. His experimentation was so unusual considering it was just acoustic.

This was on last night and it's on again tonight. It was a cracking documentary. The guy was an animal!

BBC - BBC Four Programmes - John Martyn: Johnny Too Bad

^ i'll watch that. I love the way on the acoustic numbers he keeps time and rhythm with his thumb on the lower strings
The third song is amazing, 'Certain Surprise'.

He really is merrily pissed in this isn't he? :laughing: As it should be I think, this stuff is getting me in the mood for summer twilights

Absolute genious, and amazing artist, a great sad loss.
My favourite albums are Bless the Weather and Stormbringer, Solid Air is also amazing. Some of my standout tracks have to be:
The Small Hours
Bless the Weather
Dealer
John the Baptist
And so many more......

Solid Air <3

As Jackhammer said, it's absolutely criminal that this man didn't/doesn't get enough attention.
I've only listened to Solid Air, to be perfectly honest, but i enjoyed it a great deal.
Solid Air is an absolutely magic track, everything in it is perfect. The soft acoustic guitar, his voice echoing...just fantastic.
Over The Hill is also great. Very peaceful
I Don't Wanna Know is also brilliant. And by the way, here's a version of it Anteater sent my way:

Well, here's another effort to ressurect this:



Another fantastic track from Mr. John Martyn, everyone should listen to this at some point in their lives.

"Solid Air" is a masterpiece.

His playing and singing are exquisite...but it's his masterful songwriting that really hooks me in.

he is awesome! :D

Phenomenal track and a great version too.