John Martyn dies at age 60

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Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

John Martyn dies at age 60

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

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2009 5:08:31

MarcChrys

Posts: 121
Joined: Jan. 11 2009
From: England (West Yorkshire/Lancashire)

RE: John Martyn dies at age 60 (in reply to Ron.M)

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2009 8:08:49

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: John Martyn dies at age 60 (in reply to Ron.M)

For anyone interested, there is a nice audio interview here..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/frontrow/

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

)
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

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 9 2009 12:15:37