Archived Guestbook 2001-2005

These are the entries made in the first five years of the Big Muff guestbook since it was activated April 2001.

The original guestbook was a dedicated Perl script but after twelve years I decided to incorporate it in the website for reasons of security and usability.
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Comments

Was at Vicar Street last night; sensational.

Had the pleasure of attending John's concert in Vicar Street last night 09 May 05. An unforgettable evening. Thanks John.

Dublin
Ireland

Must be one of his biggest fans, he never fails to move the cast iron Scottish heart! Since The Playhouse in Edinburgh, 1976? I've been hooked, I know he may be jaded singing it, but the lyrics within "May You Never" should be part of the National Curriculum, and referred to in everyone's down moments, you'll not be down for long! Would love to say Awright China,? in 3 weeks time, at Glasgow concert, but I know that he no longer does that sort of thing, pity!

Kilmacolm
Scotland

I have a copy of the BBC4/2 Serena Cross documentary with Teresa Walsh - Grace and Danger? It is 650Mb AVI, quite beautiful, and I'll send it by email only for those who really want it -with broadband- and if I'm not infringing copyright.

Webmaster: The film is called Johnny Too Bad and mailing 650Mb is practically impossible. You could try to upload a Bit Torrent file.

Hey, I'm going to see John Martyn in London on the 17th of May, I have no-one to go with, I'm 19 and fun I guess and I'm also pretty lame and you won't like this but I only know Solid Air and my favourite song on it is Go Down Easy, There are so many other albums and I could never decide which one to buy next as I don't want to buy them all at once and rush through them, music takes getting to know like people. I might go for One World. I'd really love to find someone, or people to go with, I'm friendly and nice and well if anyone would be kind enough to let me join them, that'd be great, I also love Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley...

Uxbridge, London
England

I first heard "Inside Out" in 1975. It was given to me by a record shop owner who thought it was too "out there" for his customers. I took it home and played it. It changed my musical tastes forever, not to mention made me get drunk and celebrate my discovery pretty quickly thereafter. A fan ever since. His voice and music still resonate inside me very very deeply.

Champaign, IL
USA

Missed JM @ DOLANS, SO SORRY!!

Webmaster: When was that?

Limerick
Ireland

I've never seen John Martyn live yet and I'm really looking forward to the gigs in May. I've listened to his albums for years and only just managed to get a copy of the Live At Leeds cd which I was completely blown away by. I'm also a huge fan of Danny Thompson who inspired me to pick up a double bass so, for him to be playing with John Martyn is an added bonus. Can't wait!!

Liverpool
England

Hi, anyone got a copy of the BBC4 documentary "Johnny Too Bad" broadcast last year. I moved to NZ some years ago and it hasn't been broadcast here. I asked the BBC if they'd sell me a tape/dvd and they said no. John doesn't ever seem to perform this far away and I want to pass some of his genius on to friends here. Please reply to my email ian at cs.auckland.ac.nz

Auckland
New Zealand

ANYONE GOING TO THE SALFORD GIG IN MAY - LOOKING TO SHARE TRANSPORT/PETROL ETC LANCASTER AREA.

Strong rumour that John is touring again in May. Hope it's true!!

Glenrothes
Scotland

As a bonus to the former story, some short telling of my other JM’s live experiences:

Tuesday 29th of October 1991, Paradiso Amsterdam
John looked like an old hippie that night with long curly hair, dressed in a long sleeve coat and was either drunk or stoned (or both). During the concert he even shouted at Dave Lewes. The band members didn't really know how to deal with it. But, as John is his own diary, the music was great.

Thursday 31st of October 1991, Noorderligt (013) Tilburg
Wonder happened meanwhile. John was fresh, hair dressed and he wore a white suit. He was even amused trying to catch a 'feedback' which appeared on stage. The band members were smiling again. Jan Douwe Kroeske (host of the 2-meter sessions) was in the audience that night.

Saturday 2nd of November 1991, Gigant Apeldoorn
Went down accompanied by a couple of girlfriends (for them this was an alternative for their normal Saturday night disco fever). I found it amazing to see how, within a few days time, each concert of John's was so different. After the show I had a short chat with John at the bar and referred to the Uden concert the year before, on the evening of the WC football match Holland-Germany. I thanked him for being so patient, waiting until the match had finished and still playing as devotional till almost three in the morning for only a bunch of people!! Here's what he replied on that: "Well, I never could compete against football".
Later that night we saw the band members dive into Apeldoorn's nightlife. John did not join them. I still wonder if the young bloke acting as a roady was his son?

Sunday 25th of April 1993, Nieuwe Pul Uden
It wasn't all eight of us again and I didn’t expect it to be a replica of that once in a lifetime show of 1990. But John remains John and with Couldn't Love You More (in a fresh jacket) he'd done it again. Which took me hitchin' a couple of new JM-music lovers. Still wonder who these special guests might have been...
PS Unlike mentioned at the website, it was John Giblin on bass that night.

Nederweert
Nederland

Here’s a bit missing on the terrible terrific JM.info website. Major compliments of mine!!!

Sunday 24th of June 1990, Nieuwe Pul, Uden
Uden, a town in the middle-southern part of Holland, formerly called 'small Amsterdam' because of its early progressive nature, was all orange that day because of Holland (still) playin’ the 1990 World Cup tournament football in Italy. That evening the Dutch 11 played the 1/8 finals match against West-Germany. So they set-up a TV-set in the lounge of the 'Nieuwe Pul' so the people who wanted to visit the concert would have to miss as little as possible of the match. Unfortunately the football match that evening would overlap the planned beginning of the (for the eight of us long awaited) concert of thé John Martyn. We travelled all the way from down south Nederweert to experience the master himself alive.
A bad thing was that Holland lost the match with 1-2 (the legendary match with the Frank Rijkaard versus Rudi Völler incident). But a good thing was that John agreed to begin the concert after the match was done. So John and his fabulous band came on at about 11:30 that night! - unfortunately confronted (at that moment) with a bad sounding PA equipment. So they left stage again for about 20 minutes. After that they really took off for an unforgettable and intense show, playing three hours of the best Martyn music I ever heard (a twenty minute break in-between). The spirits went high that night with less than 40 people as an audience. We still take this as our ultimate private concert.

Nederweert
Nederland

That's great, a new gigdate and a ticket as well. I will include it in the giglist.

Just a quickie. We had good man Eamonn around for dinner on Saturday night and what didn't he do on Sunday morning but turn up with some CDs under his arm, one for me being Solid Air. Ain't it always the way that something you've meaning to do for years, decades even, turns up when you least expect it, ie catching up with John Martyn's music. This one pleads guilty to being caught up with others and sundry, Dylan principally. Anyway, what some of you real fans might find reasonably interesting, was that way back in 1967 or 1968, a headstrong but well-meaning young reporter (about John's age) went to interview him for the local rag in Woolwich (The Kentish Independent - you can still look it up on microfilm in the right library). The lad had done the same with the Pentangle (and got tongue-tied) and (I think) seen John play at the same venue as them and decided to, etc etc. Anyway, young John was civility itself and actually gave the lad his own copy of his first LP. Even more interesting is that his music, to me, sounds wonderful and I shall dele further. I don't want to think about evil either, so I'm not voting for Blair...

London
England

I can't believe in my 50th year that I've just discovered John Martyn. The man's a genius..

Uxbridge
UK

JOHN MARTYN IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!! ONE OF THE BEST ARTISTS EVER!!!!

Pennsylvania
USA

Saw John for first time in Derby about two months ago, bloody great.

Stoke
UK

Got into JM about 1990ish been a massive fan since. A massive influence on my playing and listening. Seen Big John live about 5 times all at Irish centre, Leeds. 1st gig 94ish last one summer 04, the band kicked arse! Great site by the way. Keep it up John Boy.

Wakefield
England

Who needs God, so long as we still have JM!

Essex
UK

I heard a number of people at York saying they couldn't make out a word of his intersong banter. My partner reckons it was like listening to Sadu speak, a Jamaican friend with a braaaad accent, if you concentrated hard enough. When he'd finished though I clearly heard 'that's yer lot' before he ambled off with his big stick. No encore despite an ovation of a good 5 mins solid !!

UK

Well my partner and I saw John at the Opera House in York last week. We sat in the front row gazing up at the band. An excellent show, from which I am still buzzing! A long sleeping Martynization has been reactivated... Considering a trip to Ireand to catch another date on the tour.

Stockport
UK

Saw John at Shepherds Bush Empire last night, sadly our tickets were for up in the Gods but his music still came across as powerfully as ever. Shame about the audience behind us who insisted on talking throughout the latter half of the show. The man still has a wicked sense of humour but the poor PA meant you missed most of it. Sorry to gripe, but it was still a great show!

Sevenoaks
UK

Saw John on 15th November at Preston. It was excellent. Thought there would be more there, though. Don't think the gigs are that well advertised, though. Can't wait to see him again. Does anyone know where I can get a T-shirt?

Lancaster, Lancashire
UK

John was on good form at Preston , poorly supported venue come on you JM fans in the NW support the big man we need him to keep coming back. As usual his guitar playing was beyond belief, sadly I could not make out all his quips with the audience. Can't wait for the next time.

Chorley
United Kingdom

Glasgow Carling 17th November. What a night! The Big Man on top form. He obviously loves what he does and so do we. Gaun yersel John!

Glenrothes
Scotland

I'm new to john martyn so this site is a great help in getting more info on the great man, thanks big muff for helping me get through a shitty year in my life (4 ian).

Goin' to the Academy on Wednesday. He da man.

Fife
Scotland

19 Live gigs, last one Glasgow Concert Hall 2004, stood next to him in a pub in Irvine when he did "rock on the watter" many years ago. Was scared to speak, I hold him in so much awe. I have heard many but none with so much pain and compassion in his music as this man. We are on the same diet beer,whiskey and pickled eggs but I could never aspire to sing or play like him, go on for ever Big Muff.

Beith
Scotland

Gearing up for Derby on the 14th, have learnt all the words to On The Cobbles and can do the older stuff in my sleep. Keep on rockin John. xxxx

Leicester, Leicestershire
UK

Good site and lots of info, new to John Martyn music but it is a1! On The Cobbles I have now.

Bradford
UK

Been sailing for over 20 years with the maestro. I'm not one for many words but enough to say thanks John, you've been with me through a lot and hopefully for much more to come.

Glasgow
Scotland

Started listening to Jm about 21 years ago by what can be best termed as Serendipity. It was a tape of One World and I still have that original. Still listen to its scratchy sound sometime in the car. Fortunately though since then I have acquired much more Jm music on Cd. The tragedy is I know about 3 people (including me) who listen to John Martyn in India. And the other two I haven't met for 20 years. So its great to have a site that can keep me updated. My current project in life - save enough to money to fly out to UK to see John live. One day I shall...

New Delhi
India

Great site. John is rather big with the musicians I know in this town on the southern tip of Africa, especially those over 30. Started getting to know his stuff through them about 12 years ago. Was fortunate enough to see him play Edin. Festival in Aug. 1993. I am a photographer so took a roll or so of him, but he was a bit drunk, and the drunker he got the better he sang. Eventually it was as if his heart was breaking right there on stage, and I had to put my camera down and just listen and watch, in awe. Could scan some of those pics for you when I get a chance. Let me know, Tim.

Port Elizabeth
South Africa

Recently made debut performance at the recent Pontypool Jazz in the Park weekend, myself Guitar & vocals; Steve Barns fretless bass; Kev Vernon percussions. Gave a four number set to a appreciative audience. The set consisted of 1) You Can Discover the Lover in Me, 2) Bless the Weather, 3) Head and Heart, 4) Make no Mistake. Can't wait for the next bash, introduce some electric stuff. Alllove Allluck Peter.

Cwmbran, Wales
UK

G'day John, I'm hoping one day you can come back to Australia- especially Tasmania- and play for us (we are great concert goers here in Tassie!).... Your music has remained a source of joy and inspiration since my husband first played me your 'Solid Air' album when we met 23 yrs ago... Much listening later I just bought 'On the Cobbles' and the music is still hitting the spot in a big way... Your lyrics say it all for me, whether they're about the dark and sad moments or the joyous times... Take care and all the very best to you from Carol in Tassie .

Tasmania
Australia

john, john, john...... john...... johnny..... christ you're fucking good!..... someone down here LOVES you.... john

Somerset
UK

WATCH OUT! - Live at Leeds "audiophile" double album (by Turning Point Music). Watch out buyers as I have had two copies of this so far and both have identical pressing faults which ruin the experience. Does anyone out there know if any half speed mastered versions of Johns work exist. I am waiting for a sealed copy of Solid Air on Simply Vinyl to arrive and hopefully that will be a real pleasure to listen to on the old platter. John I would love to see you down here on the Costa Del Sol but I would advise against it. The tossers down here are more interested in necking back booze than sitting and listening to a class performance. Regards William Semple

Marbella
Spain

On The Cobbles is permanently on the car CD player at the moment, and ain't I lucky JM'S coming to Cheltenham in November a early xmas pressy yippee

Gloucester
UK

NEVER THINK ITS GONNA HAPPEN TO YOU, BUT ON A RECENT HOLIDAY TO USA I WAS RUSHED INTO HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAIN TUMOR, HAVING BEEN FLOWN BACK HOME, I WAS KEPT IN HOSPITAL FOR 6 WEEKS (I HAVE NO MEMORY OF ANY OF THIS). DURING MY STAY IN HOSPITAL I WAS IN ICU, AND MY FAMILY WAS TOLD NOT TO EXPECT TOO MUCH! AWAITING A FURTHER SCAN IN SEPTEMBER AND HOPING THAT THE YANKS GOT IT WRONG, NOT SURE IF IT IS A TUMOR OR ENCEPHALITIS, BUT WHATEVER IT IS IT HAS LEFT ME EPILEPTIC. APPARENTLY ALL I ASKED FOR FOR JOHN'S MUSIC, EVEN ON THE HOSPITAL RADIO STATION, AND THE D.J REMARKED ON MY TASTE OF MUSIC, MISSED TWO GIGS THAT I HAD TICKETS FOR DURING THIS TIME. HAVE ALREADY GOT MY FRONT ROW TICKETS FOR DERBY AND YORK IN NOVEMBER, HOPE I'M FIT ENOUGH TO MAKE THESE! JUST WANTED TO THANK JOHN FOR THE MUSIC THAT HE HAS GIVEN US ALL, BEEN A FAN SINCE I SAW HIM IN LONDON BACK IN 1980 SOMETHING, AND HOPE I'M ABOUT TO SEE HIM FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS, ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY BEST FRIEND SHAN WHO INTRODUCED ME TO HIS MUSIC, LOVE YOU TO BITS. xx

Derby
England

First heard "Sweet Little Mystery" on a car radio and needed more, saw John on consecutive nights in Chester in 19something or other, was blown away and have listened with awe and envy ever since.

Warrington
UK

Don't know if this is of interest but a couple of more dates for your gig list, both a bit vague I'm afraid. J.M. played Leicester University in 77/78. I can't remember which exactly, but I know he was definitely promoting One World, and playing solo with the One World Art Work behind him on stage. I was a student there at the time.
At about the same time, (within a few weeks), he also played a 'Rock Against Racism' gig at a Polytechnic College in North London, again solo. Not sure of the name of the college... possibly Hatfield Poly, or North London Poly. I can remember the gigs, but not the absolute exact details... but they both did take place because one thing I do remember is actually being there! Having a friend on the Ents. Comittee at Leicester I actually met him after the gig... Not exactly a laugh a minute sort of guy at the time. Years later as a radio presenter I actually interviewed him 3 or 4 times, but unfortunately didn't archive any of the tapes. Hope this is of some interest, excellent website by the way - Phil.

UK

I saw 2 John Martyn concerts at Brunel University in the late 70's - been a fan ever since.

United Kingdom

I saw John Martyn was playing a theatre near me a few years ago - a place usually reserved for scottish pish (moira anderson, alistair mcdonald etc.) & thought it was a mistake. I went & was delighted to find he was actually playing. During the first set, it quickly became apparent John had enjoyed a few drinks and was incoherent and only pretending to play his guitar. However, the second set was fantastic; he appeared to have sobered up quite a bit. I saw him last in Glasgow playing with Danny Thomson on double bass. Nearly completely sober, he played lots of stuff from solid air and earlier albums. One of the best gigs I've seen. Even better than AC/DC with Bon Scott & I can't pay a higher accolade than that.

Ayrshire coast
Scotchland

I hope John will get on his left leg and once more make the trip to Holland, where I saw him on numerous occasions. Me and my friend Eldert are looking forward to that, not before we returned from summerholiday. Get on your Horse, John!!

Rijswijk
Holland

I met John Martyn in Oslo in the late 60's. He introduced me to the C-tuning of his guitar: CGCGCE. Great!

Oslo
Norway

From the land downunder a nice laidback tour would be wonderful...

Wollongong
Australia

I think you totally rock, and don't get depressed about stuff. You're the best.

UK - Russia

I'm getting increasingly jealous of all you northern hemphisphere people who already have "On the Cobbles" on high rotation and have recently seen the big man live. I ordered his latest release 3 weeks ago and still haven't got it. If my wife catches me playing "The Old Grey Whistle Test" DVD's once more she'll relegate me to the dog house and my old video copy of "The Apprentice" is almost worn out. Can somebody in the UK please make contact with me re the possibility of taping the BBC special that's coming up later this month - I'd be eternally grateful. We're still getting re-runs of Fawlty Towers down here so I suggest it will be a long time before one of our broadcasters will air it. Also if anyone has converted "Tell them I'm somebody else" to DVD format, I'd love to hear from them also. Best wishes from Downunder.

Melbourne
Australia

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