Love his guitar tones. Absolute legend. Also matched with his soulful voice it is just so unique, transcendental yet grounded at the same time... i love it.
I saw him at Essex Uni round about this time, doing this set. All the hippies from Essex and Suffolk had brought their children to join we students. Only gig I ever saw there where we all sat on the floor of a 1,000 capacity dance hall (was supposed to be a car park but was put to better use). Unforgettably psychedelic and beautiful.
Saw John twice live. Second time got cut short because local police raided the gig and he never came back on. Day of that gig saw him coming out of Morisons, recognised him, looked at each other and I read 'please don't stop me and ask me stuff', so I just carried on walking - Always wished he had looked after himself better.
My 19 year old self is featured on the BBC DVD…Rock Goes to College at Stirling University. Saw JM live over 50 times. Took up photography after seeing SLR photos taken by a mate at that gig. I had pics used on some JM official releases. Last night, I photographed a triple Grammy winner at a gig in Santa Cruz, California. 😎
What i'd give to have been at one of his good concerts when he was this age. I'm 21, born in 2000 - and although i might have been able to see him as a boy, - my dad told me that despite John being one of his alltime favourite artists *(growing up to his music for 21 years is how i eventually did a deep dive 5 or so years back) - my dad said the gig he went to, to see john was a huge dissapointment, he was drunk and swore at the crowd. Even going as far as to shout out in response to a request for Solid Air, he said, with some attiude "i dont play that shit anymore!". To see John in his prime, in 1973-78, and to go for a drink afterwards, is what i would use a time machine for, even if i got one return trip - that is what i'd do with it. That or go to woodstock in 69. John is totally unlike anyone else, and i'm really grateful i got brought up on his music, and get to watch these live shows, its the next best thing to being born 60 years before i was. So thanks for posting this. And if youre able to find the rockpalast germany concert he did, which was taken down from youtube. That would be so appreciated. - if you *(or anyone for that matter) even sees this comment let alone reads it to the end..
@nachovideo D'you think you'll be able to find the entire rockpalast concert video? There's a DVD i have back at home of it, and it was titled Outside in. It used to be on youtube. Id love to see it again if you can get it?
Thanks for commenting. I saw John Martyn live many times, from 1982 until shortly before he died. Like you I missed his peak period, and the performances I saw were very hit and miss. However I did catch enough glimpses of his greatness to satisfy me. I’ll try to find a good copy of the Rockpalast show. If I do, I may not be able to post it on RU-vid due to copyright restrictions. I suggest you subscribe to my web site, nachosvideos.com, where all my video work is collated.
This is the best version of Outside In. When I closed my eyes I found myself watching an old Space: 1999 episode entitled "The Troubled Spirit," which had a similar, very trippy score. A nice break from reality, there.
I read about this part of the performance (particularly Outside In) being cut and from the broadcast. I've just now found out that its been on youtube for the past three years! Great stuff.
Often described by JM in retrospect, in derogatory terms, as echoplex s**t is actually quite breathtaking. Obviously failed to make the cut with the BBC establishment is really the highlight of the night - full of colour and drama..... in literary terms part 1 was Steinbeck.... part 2 was Joyce. Thank you for the research and posting - a wonderful piece of music that can only enhance the JM legacy.
watching him play with the echo is like watching ray charles at the piano - there's some other rhythm going on as he moves. which plays counter to his thumb/ finger/ echoplex, and pedals - it is absolutley amazing. - i was at this gig and it was the best i saw JM in about 5 years before and after - astonishing. he was a bit of a dick as a person, but also a bit amazing. probably like all humans, only with a tad more music up either sleeve than most.
My favourite male singer, impossible to cover and an very creative guitar player, using tape echo and wah pedals, live, possibly more than Hendrix ! Sad victime of his own musical passion and genious.
I saw 2 of John's shows, shook hands & talked to him twice after the shows, bought & have a signed CD he was selling from the trunk of his car. Those were sweet days....thanks for the post. Here's a rare one back.... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WVaYO-Nj_lQ.html May You Never...
I find his ‘mannerisms’ very irritating; ‘ mockney ‘ London accent, constantly trying to get a laugh etc . Having seen him live a few times he let himself and his music down due to his juvenile antics. But when he ceased talking and let the play he was absolutely mesmerising, and captivating.
Such a gifted musician succumbed to substance abuse and never recovered. This performance (obviously under the influence) is embarrassingly bad and undermined his strengths at every single opportunity. If you've seen and appreciated his past work, it is sadly almost unwatchable. It's a warning to never lower yourself to such a level and, by all means, get help before then...
![John Martyn • Live at the Collegiate Theatre [Part II] • London • 10 January 1978](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
