Big Muff

'Where are the arts? Where are the arts?
(John entering the Colchester Arts Centre, 23 October 1997)

If you have never saw a John Martyn live concert, you never saw John Martyn. His performances are seldom sold out but are always attended by a loyal following of very mixed people who know what to expect, that is: you never know what is going to happen. John might perform solo and acoustically, or only with a percussionist, or in a trio, or with a four-piece rock line-up or a five-piece jazz ensemble. The audience doesn't care: each new performance is a surprise, each version of a classic song unique. It might even take you rather long to discover which intro you have been listening to; the recognition of lyrics being rather difficult due to Johns slurry way of phrasing.