John Martyn prog on BBC4
Posted by: J.N. on 29 May 2004
Anyone else here, see it?
What a character. I've loved his music for many years, but didn't realise how wild he was/is.
He seems to have suffered a lot of misfortune (including having one of his lower legs amputated last year) but still seems to enjoy life, and has a new album out.
He's clearly a man who likes a drink and a spliff, to say the least.
I'm now waiting for a cold rainy evening to luxuriate in 'Small Hours' in the dark, one more time.
As Ralph Mc Tell said; if that doesn't move you, something is wrong.
'Solid Air' (allegedly about Nick Drake) is available in remastered form.
Enjoy.
P.S. Richard Thompson next week - not to be missed!
Posted on: 30 May 2004 by Rasher
Yeah.. I saw it JN. I agree, he looked so young and gentle!! His nature is at odds with his music too I think. Great prog, and followed by the one on Jeff Buckley too.
Bit of a late night really.
Posted on: 30 May 2004 by P
It's well worth watching and it's being shown again on BBC2 in July if you missed it.
P
Posted on: 30 May 2004 by Mike Hughes
So you didn't think that John Martyn came across as a bit lacking in self awareness beyond his music then?
It was an interesting documentary but I thought he was frankly embarassing whilst drinking and the contrast with the apparently more sober interview whilst sat up straight was quite stark. Odd good tracks in the past 20 years couldn't dsiguise the decline. Even Bev. looked better.
At least you came out of it having some idea of his history and why he was of significance. The Jeff Buckley programme was piss poor IMHO. Not one decent extract of a song (most live clips consisted of at least five seconds or more of Jeff screaming/singing at the top end of his range). Where was the beauty or the sense of why he got to so many people so quickly (including those who still haven't discovered his Dad, although thanks to Nick Lees excellent post I shall be). I videod both docus. and have watched the latter thrice and it is absolutely the case that you can watch it end to end and still have no idea of how many albums he produced in his lifetime. Still at least I can pronounce Sin-E now, eh???
Posted on: 04 June 2004 by woodface
I saw the programe and although it was very enjoyable he came across as a complete tosser! How any women would put up with him I do not know? I really like his music but thought he was also disapointing on 'Later'.
Posted on: 04 June 2004 by oldie
There seemed to be a bit of a John Martyn fest on last week with a repeat of OGWT OF Martyn at his best and a performance from him on Jules Hollands "LATER" as well as the documentary. his early music was absolutly brilliant in my opinion but his latest, welllll it's certainly John Martyn but thats where any resemblance ends he's a bit of a self indulgant prat now.It's strange but the person that I thought came out of the documentry best was Dany Thompson a brilliant Bass player still. To night it's Richard Thompson so that should be good.
oldie.
Posted on: 04 June 2004 by J.N.
Ah the artistic muse eh?
Creative people rarely conform to a normal, ordered lifestyle like most of us.
And yes; that poor lady must be a saint. John Martyn must have something to keep her in residence.
The world is a better place for such characters.
