John Martyn Documentary on TV

Thank you, John, for alerting - sure we'll discuss when we meet - John Martyn is a frequent visitor to both cdp and tt!

James

There is a good article about him in this months word or uncut - can't remember which.

One of my favourite artists.

Hi, there is an interview in Mojo. I think this documentary has been on before, he is really a pretty sad case now I'm afraid.

Agreed that he has one leg, a knackered liver and weighs a ton. However his last album is easily his best in a decade IMO.

I prefer his version of 'sad' to James Blunts version of happy any day of the week.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by woodface:
Hi, there is an interview in Mojo. I think this documentary has been on before, he is really a pretty sad case now I'm afraid.
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Whilst he clearly has been battling his demons, I've seen him live a couple of times recently and he's as good as ever and retains a huge sense of humour. He talks in the documentary how his Buddhist faith has helped him cope with the difficulties he's faced in his life. If that's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.

Hi folks,

'Solid Air'. That LP and that track is well out in front, it was in it's time and it still is today. A lot of people rave about Bert Jansch, but I always thought that John Martyn had the music in him.

My only disappointment was an album he made with Phil Collins, who toned his voice down in the mix and highlighted the drums. Not good.

Cheers, ecm

quote:

Originally posted by ECM:
Hi folks,

My only disappointment was an album he made with Phil Collins, who toned his voice down in the mix and highlighted the drums. Not good.

Cheers, ecm

Yes it's that man again; PC is a menance - his drumming is as banal as his singing - he should never be allowed near a John Martyn elpee.

Sounds worse than Charlie Drake Sings Nick Drake.

Sorry, gone of thread - thanks for the heads up on the JM doc, J.N - Solid Air remains my favourite JM recording.

quote:

Solid Air remains my favourite JM recording.

Agreed - an astonishing album.

Hi Folks,

One out of left field. Is John Martyn the chap that wrote a song along the lines of:
"I don't want to talk about evil, I only want to talk about love"?

I heard someone playing this the other day, and it sounded fine. He mentioned John Martyn IIRC.

Cheers, Jens

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jens:
Is John Martyn the chap that wrote a song along the lines of:
"I don't want to talk about evil, I only want to talk about love"?
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Yes he is.

Oh my God I am about to defend Phil Collins - here goes.

The album you refer to is Grace and Danger and is absolutely brilliant. A gut wrenching set of songs which charts the end of Johns relationship with Beverly. Collins drumming is awsome on this album IMO. Check out the track 'keep on looking on' for a brilliant example. A brilliant recording on vinyl as well.

I will crawl back in my hole now.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
The album you refer to is Grace and Danger and is absolutely brilliant.
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Apart from Collins. If he'd just stuck to drums instead of supplying those horribly cloying backing vocals which ruin, as you say, an otherwise smashing record.
Incidentally, avoid at all costs those two 90's abominations 'Couldn't love you more' and 'No little boy' where he inexplicably murders his repertoire with sugary MOR arrangements and smothers everything in PC backing vocals.

I have them. Agreed that many are covered in far too much suger but there are a few reinterpretations that justify the entrance fee for me anyhow! Dealer and Bless the weather, although very different to the originals, work well IMO.

Bear in mind that John Martyn could do a cover of Barbie Girl and I would get out the plastic without question.

Although I like 'solid air' I actually prefer 'bless the weather' and 'grace and danger'. I thought his last album was patchy and I am afraid that although it is his best in a decade that does, somewhat, damn it with faint praise! I think his duet with Mavis Staple is the best version of 'good night irene' ever.

On The Cobbles is a great JM album. Sure, it ain't Bless The weather but it sure ain't Well Kept Secret, thankfully.

Another vote for on the cobbles. I think the whole leg incident focussed his muse somewhat. Sad for him but a bloody good album for us.

Solid Air is his masterpiece, with Inside Out a close second.

Was listening to small hours from One World last night and it's one of the most beautiful tracks ever.

Had the pleasure of seeing JM in the late 70's in a small club ( Eric's in Matthew Street, Liverpool). Crate of beer at his feet and a joint in hand, in his echoplex days. Just awesome.

Hope he hangs in there

Colin,

Ah yes, Eric's, that brings back memories!

First saw JM at Liverpool University, funny he must have the same stage set.

Really enjoyed the BBC 4 programme last night.

'Solid Air' (for those who are not aware) is allegedly about the declining mental health of JM's friend Nick Drake, who died aged 26 in 1974.

Knowing that, lends real poignancy to the beautiful song.

If you're interested in Nick Drake, check out an excellent new biography called 'Darkest than the Deepest Sea' by Trevor Dann.

John.

Hi folks,

Would this be the place to ask a little John Martyn advice?

I have the LPs 'solid air' and 'inside out' which I love. However 'piece by piece' threw me a bit.

Can anyone advise the next albums I should be looking for to stay with the classic JM sound and avoid any overproduced albums he might have got into?

It's just a personal thing. I really like the track 'angeline' but the rest of 'piece by piece' feels so 80s, I can't swallow it.

Cheers, ecm

'One World' and 'Sunday's Child' are classics of that period. Also 'Sweet Little Mysteries - The Island Anthology' is a brilliantly compiled double CD of vintage Martyn. The track listing is virtually faultless. For a one stop shop this compilation cannot be bettered IMO.

His very early ones 'London Calling' and 'The Tumbler' are quite stark and conventionally folky. I'm fond of 'London calling' because of the time in my life I first heard it but I find 'The Tumbler' just a wee bit too twee for my liking. Of the two bearing a co-credit with his former wife Beverly, 'Stormbringer' is, by far, the better album. 'Road to Ruin' isn't bad but perhaps for the completist.

Next you're into the golden period; 'Bless The weather' 'Solid Air' 'Inside Out' 'Sunday's Child' and 'One World' are all essential and consistently rewarding purchases, all jazzy-folky-bluesy echoplex and very herbally influenced. One World introduces a dub reggae dimension.

'Grace and Danger' is a very good album but it's here things take a slight AOR turn. I don't imply this period is not extremely good, impeccable musicianship, top-rate production etc... but it lacks the wild experimentation and originality of his 70's work and there are diminishing returns from here on in.

Of the later albums, my pick would be 'The Apprentice', 'Cooltide' 'And' and 'On The Cobbles'. 'Church With One Bell' is interesting as he tackles Randy Newman, Billie Holliday and Portishead. The live albums? go for 'Live At Leeds' 'Philentropy' and 'Live'.

Another vote for philenthropy. That one is going to get a dusting off tonight!

Hi folks,

Top notch responses, as I am beginning to expect from this excellent web site.

It is so easy to pick up the wrong (less good?) albums secondhand and you have helped me to avoid that.

Thanks.

Cheers, ecm