Ron.M -> John Martyn dies at age 60 (Jan. 29 2009 5:08:31)
Just heard on the news that British Singer/Songwriter John Martyn died today.
I remember talking to him on the stairs of the Glasgow Folk Centre when he was just 19 or so and really excited about making his first LP "London Conversation".
Jeez...as I said ALL my heros are dropping off the twig!!
cheers,
Ron
MarcChrys -> RE: John Martyn dies at age 60 (Jan. 29 2009 8:08:49)
60? Much too young :( I remember seeing him on The Old Grey Whistle Test many years ago, playing One World (?). He was using some effects pedal that made his acoustic guitar sound like the sea coming in or wind rushing through a forest. Mesmerising.
Ron.M -> RE: John Martyn dies at age 60 (Feb. 9 2009 12:15:37)
For anyone interested, there is a nice audio interview here..
Click "Listen to latest broadcast". (starts about 06.30)
Funny that even though he explored his limits, essentially I recognise the same style I heard up the Folk Centre all these years ago when he was 19 and I was chatting with him.
I must admit I really love "May You Never", which is really close to his original style. Beautiful song IMO and is heard towards the end of the interview. He wrote it after his very long term girfriend (later to be his wife), left him. (I don't think he'd had another serious girlfriend before her...I mean she was already in his life when I knew him then.) The lyrics are so beautiful...(and the guitar work is pretty nifty as well [:D]) It's the same sort of "duende" I get from Flamenco.
YouTube version here....
It seems real artists are born seeing things in a certain way and have the conviction/guts not to be diverted...
ie...Bob Dylan...Paco de Lucia...
Anyway, Goodnight John...
cheers,
Ron
mark indigo -> RE: John Martyn dies at age 60 (Feb. 25 2009 13:28:53)
i spent many hours flat on my back listening to "solid air" in my misspent youth.... RIP
