29 Jan 2023
It has been 14 years that John passed away. He still manages to attract new listeners and every last weekend of January, fans, friends en family come together in the Clutha (Glasgow) to enjoy music and each others company. This year was no exception.
20 Jul 2022
While searching for an old concert in Barnstaple, I stumbled upon a remark by DJ Wendy May: "After extensive touring and some John Peel sessions they eventually signed to Phonogram and made an album in 85, which featured the legendary John Martyn on guitar." She is referring to a band called the Boothill Foot-Tappers. They made exactly one album that surfaced October 1985: Ain't That Far From Boothill. It was released by Mercury (MERH 76) and John is indeed credited for Guitars on a track called Stand Or Fall (side B, track #3).
No idea why this track was never mentioned in the older discographies before. It has been included here in the Collaborations section and I also found a review.
13 Nov 1982
War hero Thomas McGeachy lived with danger long after he hung up his rifle. But the 64-year-old ex-commando was blissfully unaware of the potentially-explosive situation for 40 years.
GOOD TIME AT MAYNE HALL
Few people see the ashes of total and utter chaos from which the phoenix that is a concert arises. On Sunday, 21st August I was privileged enough to witness this miracle. The concert was the Jansch / Martyn configuration with the local support of Dodsworth and Sullivan.
Sampling done right
Tracks well chosen and all relevant information for DJ's is present.
John Cale proves to be an excellent neighbour and the Fania All-Stars must be Island's answer to Santana.
01 Nov 1970
Folk singers John and Beverley Martyn have had enough of London. They just don't like city life.
This poster announces a London concert at the Sunken Garden, Thursday, 1 May 1969.
Melody Maker stated this was 'in aid of Shelter'. Poster text:
City Student '69
Folk and Jazz
Presenting The Tinkers, Alex Campbell, John Martyn
On Thurs. 1st May
Adm. 5/-. in the Sunken Garden
Bunhill Row, [tube] Moorgate, E.C.1.
8P.M. - 11 P.M.
This sampler of styles is so varied it probably won't please anybody, though there is a little something for everyone
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.
When Solid Air came out, to huge critical acclaim and the delight of fans, John Martyn was a slim, softly-spoken man in his mid-20s, with a halo of curls and bumfluffy beard. He was a folky-hippie with a jazzy-reggae bent and ardent fan base.
The MM series in which musicians talk about the artists they love and why. This week: JOHN MARTYN
JOHN MARTYN is to undertake a British tour this month which will be his last for the foreseeable future.
"The first one's for you," John Martyn told the capacity audience at Her Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday as he ripped into a song which has become almost his signature tune, May You Never.
By now most of you will be aware of the death of singer songwriter guitar stylist musician John Martyn. By virtue of his huge talent and colourful and sometimes reckless lifestyle his passing was noticed and commented upon by nearly all of the popular media.
I would just like to add my personal comments because John was very much a contemporary of mine and I admired his music immensely.
ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY Folk Club, who last week brought to the Union a number of top- class performers in different branches of folk music and, according to Treasurer Neil Cameron, may even have made a slight profit on them, are to continue the good work this term.
One song: more musical than another?
This is the quandary my listening habits have put me in lately. Recently (well, really, for the last year or so), I've been fascinated and enraptured by the song "May You Never" by British folk singer John Martyn. Included on his 1973 album "Solid Air," the song (later covered by Eric Clapton, though I've never heard his version) is an embarrassment of melodic and rhythmic riches. Gently loping finger-picked guitar sets the song's addictively ambling tempo. Martyn's careful use of dynamics creates an awesomely percussive sound, soft and folky yet ferociously mobile, each acoustic pluck tickling the ear.
