Saturday, 31 January 2009

John Martyn - tribute

I don't usually do tributes, mainly because other blogs/media media tend to do these kind of things much more thoroughly, but I couldn't let the sad passing of the legendary singer/songwriter John Martyn go without a small tip of a hat and a big thank you for all the wonderful music he created in his lifetime.

I think it's safe to say that his album Solid Air is a stone cold classic and a copy should be part of any self respecting music fan's collection. It's a record that is regularly given a spin by me, when I feel the need to mellow out and each time I'm struck by just how fresh it still sounds... A sure sign of quality! It's also a reminder for me to delve further into his back catalogue, as I have inexplicably neglected to mine deeply this rich seam of folk gold up to now; high time to remedy this oversight now.. so R.I.P to you John and that's all that really needs to be said...

John Martyn - May You Never from the album Solid Air (1973)



The two albums he made early in his career with his (ex) wife Beverley, a phenomenal talent in her own right, are also highly recommended.

John and Beverley Martyn - Auntie Aviator from Road to Ruin (1970)



http://www.johnmartyn.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Martyn_(musician)

http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/john_martyn

1 comment:

Furry Stylus said...

Yes - a great loss to the world of music.
Mention must be made of his first album - London Conversation - which is a fine example of simple vocal/guitar style (without his later slurry vocal meanderings). My personal favourite and often completely overlooked.