Solid Air Live
Posted by: Simon Matthews on 11 September 2006
It will be a great evening at the Barbican I hope. One of my all time favourite artists playing one of their best albums. I hope John broadly stays true to the original album 'feel' and doesn't muzak the songs too much.
Solid air, may you never, go down easy, man in the station...........awsome!!!!
Solid air, may you never, go down easy, man in the station...........awsome!!!!
Posted on: 11 September 2006 by Malky
Damn, I didn't know about this. Sounds great though.
Posted on: 12 September 2006 by Sir Crispin Cupcake
Hope it is a good night. I once saw John Martyn at South Hill Park festival in Bracknell - he was pissed out of his head and the gig was just awful. Great album though and I hope you have more luck than me.
Posted on: 13 September 2006 by Malky
Gig review please Simon.
Posted on: 13 September 2006 by glenda
Reviewed in the Guardian today - 4 stars out of 5 . Top evening all round apparently . He didn't play the album in track order as it would have meant too many guitar changes .
The downside of the review was the picture - he is becoming more spherical every time I see him.
Glenda
The downside of the review was the picture - he is becoming more spherical every time I see him.
Glenda
Posted on: 14 September 2006 by Simon Matthews
Sorry for the delay.
Anyhoo - he was absolutely great. The first four or five tracks were from varoius periods of his career and he used his Les Paul throughout those numbers. He then moved into the acoustic domain and solid air specifically. As already mentioned, he did not stick to the original album running order which was no problem at all. The band were his establised players of late and the quality of playing throughout was sublime. Although not an upright, the fretless bass work was awesome.
John is now a huge barrel of a man, is confined to a wheelchair and when he speaks is barely understandable. HOWEVER when he sings and plays he operates on a supremely musical level that wraps you up in a duvet of sonic lovelyness!!! The acoustics at the venue were really rather amazing as well. For once I could here what my hi fi lacks wheras most concert pa's have me thinking the opposite.
My only gripe was this - the crowd were, although appreciative, somewhat crap! I am used to seeing John in stand up smoky venues where the mood of his music is augmented by the location. I believe that many at the gig only know solid air and were left stranded when other stuff was played. The stage lights were left on at the end and I was sure there was an encore coming. Trouble was that too many journeymen fans buggered off immediately leaving myself and about two thirds of the hall shouting for more but to no avail.
A minor gripe as it is always a pleasure for me to hear this man sing and play - he is a true great.
Anyhoo - he was absolutely great. The first four or five tracks were from varoius periods of his career and he used his Les Paul throughout those numbers. He then moved into the acoustic domain and solid air specifically. As already mentioned, he did not stick to the original album running order which was no problem at all. The band were his establised players of late and the quality of playing throughout was sublime. Although not an upright, the fretless bass work was awesome.
John is now a huge barrel of a man, is confined to a wheelchair and when he speaks is barely understandable. HOWEVER when he sings and plays he operates on a supremely musical level that wraps you up in a duvet of sonic lovelyness!!! The acoustics at the venue were really rather amazing as well. For once I could here what my hi fi lacks wheras most concert pa's have me thinking the opposite.
My only gripe was this - the crowd were, although appreciative, somewhat crap! I am used to seeing John in stand up smoky venues where the mood of his music is augmented by the location. I believe that many at the gig only know solid air and were left stranded when other stuff was played. The stage lights were left on at the end and I was sure there was an encore coming. Trouble was that too many journeymen fans buggered off immediately leaving myself and about two thirds of the hall shouting for more but to no avail.
A minor gripe as it is always a pleasure for me to hear this man sing and play - he is a true great.
Posted on: 14 September 2006 by Malky
Last couple of times I've seen him (Shepherd's Bush Empire) sound has been great. He's ended his set with the Johnny Ace cover 'Never let me go' and has shuffled off stage, not returning for an encore.
As you say, his health is probably a bit fragile these days, so I haven't begrudged it.
As you say, his health is probably a bit fragile these days, so I haven't begrudged it.