Big Muff

THE barman is having trouble with the drinks order.

During his November 2008 tour John was shortly interviewed in the Thistle City Barbican Hotel lobby near the London Barbican theatre. Host for BBC 6 music is Shaun Keaveny.

Grace And Danger was the highly personal album that marked John Martyn's divorce and saw him leave Island Records in 1980. But its difficult conception hasn't stopped the 60-year-old singer-songwriter returning to it for his latest UK tour, following a successful trip around the country playing his classic Solid Air album last year.

During the Grace and Danger Tour, Gavin Allen had this telephone conversation with John. It is one of his last interviews and it lasts sixteen minutes.

UNCUT: What do you think of the anthology?
JOHN MARTYN: I haven’t heard it... I keep as far away from all that stuff, man. As soon as I’ve finished it, it’s gone. I love playing live, you know? It’s actually a stricter discipline than being in the studio, because you only get one shot at the gig, whereas in the studio you get loads of shots.

Next Thursday, John Martyn – the legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist – turns 60. It is a landmark many thought he’d never reach.

Thursday August 21, 2008
Forty years of living life to its fullest has supplied John Martyn his fair share of both high and low points - the past 12 months alone have seen the singer/songwriter recieve a wealth of awards and also contract pneumonia. But with an array of remasters and a new studio album in the pipeline, the future looks positively rosy for the evergreen star.

Hellraiser John Martyn has played with the best and influenced them all, but a lifetime achievement award still came as a shock. He talks to Pierre Perrone.

John Martyn speaks about his Folk Award win, how he felt about the reception he got at the event, and the influences that have led to his enduring popularity.

Danny wants his mate back.

The interview was shot at The Jerpoint Inn (Thomastown), conducted by Bryan Kolupski and edited to a 7 minute film with musical intermezzos. The subtitles come in pretty handy in spite of the occasional mistake.

John's early inspiration
I listened to a guy called Davey Graham, he still remains one of my heroes. He was a real mover when it came to guitar playing. I think bohemians have a strange way of playing, they really do... Listen to a guy called George Spence; very very erratic and strange but very organized which is great. It has to do with the vocal phrasing and the guitar phrasing, being right behind each other. Anyway, that's no more than you need to know, I suppose, really...

What influences John's music

John Martyn is a folk singer and experimental guitarist, best known for his influential 1973 album Solid Air. He has worked with Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour. His body has suffered years of alcohol abuse and he recently had a leg amputated after a cyst burst. He is touring the country from Sunday, finishing at London's Roundhouse on February 3, performing the Solid Air album each night.

The drinking, the drug taking, the divorces, the bankruptcy, the broken neck, the affairs and the loss of his leg. But John Martyn's lurid personal life is still leaving room for some sublime music...

He may have left behind the wilder excesses of his hellraising days, but John Martyn still counts a Bloody Mary as breakfast.