John Martyn
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(1948 – 2009)
John Martyn OBE, born Iain David McGeachy (11 September 1948 – 29 January 2009), was a scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a forty-year career he released twenty studio albums.
He grew up in Glasgow and attended Shawlands Academy. John Martyn moved to London from Glasgow in the mid 1960s. He made his initial recorded impact in 1967, at the age of 19, with his debut album London Conversation. He then quickly became an integral part of the British music scene, incorporating folk, blues, jazz and even reggae into his unique sound.
In the late 60s to early 70s he was close friends with Nick Drake, for whom he wrote the songSolid Air. The album of the same name remains an extremely moving album, as does the later Grace And Danger which documents his divorce from his wife Beverley with whom he recorded several albums (as John & Beverley Martyn).
During the 70s John lived in Hastings on the South Coast of England. Whilst in Hastings he released, amongst others, the Live at Leeds album which he sold from his own house. Also during his time in Hastings John tried to help Paul Kossoff put his life back together.
A long held alcohol problem didn’t prevent Martyn from releasing twenty-two albums. In 2003 he contracted an infection that resulted in the amputation of part of a leg, an episode documented in the 2004 BBC documentary “Johnny Too Bad”. He recovered, however, and continued to play, record and tour. In 2008, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Folk Awards. He has influenced many songwriters and guitarists and is an artist whose stature only grows with time.
He grew up in Glasgow and attended Shawlands Academy. John Martyn moved to London from Glasgow in the mid 1960s. He made his initial recorded impact in 1967, at the age of 19, with his debut album London Conversation. He then quickly became an integral part of the British music scene, incorporating folk, blues, jazz and even reggae into his unique sound.
In the late 60s to early 70s he was close friends with Nick Drake, for whom he wrote the song
Solid Air. The album of the same name remains an extremely moving album, as does the later Grace And Danger which documents his divorce from his wife Beverley with whom he recorded several albums (as John & Beverley Martyn). During the 70s John lived in Hastings on the South Coast of England. Whilst in Hastings he released, amongst others, the Live at Leeds album which he sold from his own house. Also during his time in Hastings John tried to help Paul Kossoff put his life back together.
A long held alcohol problem didn’t prevent Martyn from releasing twenty-two albums. In 2003 he contracted an infection that resulted in the amputation of part of a leg, an episode documented in the 2004 BBC documentary “Johnny Too Bad”. He recovered, however, and continued to play, record and tour. In 2008, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Folk Awards. He has influenced many songwriters and guitarists and is an artist whose stature only grows with time.
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Solid Air
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Bless The Weather
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Sweet Little Mysteries
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Shoutbox
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thelightbrigade wrote:
If you like this check out http://www.myspace.com/henrysayers
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RussellChap wrote:
Despite being self destructive John Martyn created some wonderfully warm, as well as tortured, music. Unfortunately he was responsible for some dross too, luckily his highs outshine these lows. The likes of Small Hours & Dreams By The Sea are a legacy that cannot be tarnished.
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strangegeometry wrote:
Road to ruin... amazing...
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le_dzedaj wrote:
London Conversation is one of the best folk albums of our era.
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Druid66 wrote:
Eager to hear more from this fellow.
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nixhex4311 wrote:
Wow, this guy is amazing. Just getting into. I've listened to Solid Air and Bless the Weather, loved them both.
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chimpchops wrote:
Check out the Robert Smith small hours cover, wonderful.
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mcbirdo wrote:
What a fantastically vivid memory Crowviver. Love it!
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Crowriver wrote:
During the 1960s and 1970s I bought my records from a guy with a stall at a local market. He seemed to be able to get almost anything with consummate ease....except for John Martyn records! In fact, he had to get "Bless the Weather" for me on import....from a dealer in Canada! It came with extra-thick cardboard covers and a colour photo brochure that apparently wasn't available as part of the thinner-covered UK release. It was odd, but the serge-suited music industry gremlins of the time often seemed determined to make things as difficult for John Martyn fans as they possibly could. The cost of the album from Canada by the way, was 21/-, 3/6d more than a normal priced album. However, it should have been £1.05p due to the UK's conversion to decimalisation in February 1971, but the market guy was one of those b-minded die-hards who refused to use decimal prices and persisted with the old Imperial system until well after Mr Martyn's album came out in November of the same year. Happy days.
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cassandraef wrote:
lovely
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AlexMcKenzie_ wrote:
i finally got London Conversation. i love it already after one listen.
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grantmarteeth wrote:
Solid Air has blown me away. pun absolutely intended.
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connect_icut wrote:
Totally addicted to One World right now.
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BlackMagicM66 wrote:
I'm here because a friend recommended him after I told him I love Nick Drake.
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escalonab wrote:
A little late, but I recently bought London Converasion. What a great album!
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markfilmer wrote:
very talented man with a great gruff voice.
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dandrury wrote:
Come have a listen to a couple of tunes I wrote and recorded in my back bedroom..!! www.last.fm/music/dan+drury/songs+in+the+theme+of+tringle cheers folks..!! Dan
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strobelite wrote:
On the anniversary of the great man`s passing I`d just like to say "Thank you" for being such an influence on my life. Having been lucky enough to have seen John play on numerous occassions and enjoyed every minute of those performances I`ll be raising my glass for a wee Dram to the spirit of nonconformity that John personified. Here`s to you Big Man!!!
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AeneasVsTurnus wrote:
I couldn't love you more!
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mari-morais wrote:
@orion7x Lucky bastard.
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