I had the pleasure of getting to know John in his last couple of years here in Kilkenny and listen to him play for a small crowd (2)! in his home as well as a few other occasions at friends parties. I played a tilinku (a Hungarian overtone flute which has no noteholes) for him one night and he was intrigued and asked me to bring him one back from my next trip. I bought him a really nice one and after giving him an intro tutorial on how to make the scale we had a good laugh when I said I could tell everyone now I was giving (the very grumpy) John Martyn music lessons.
bazz foley that's a great little story bazz, thanks for sharing; felt priviliged to see the big man in a small venue in killarney late on, missed not forgotten|\/
Mr Martyn will forever live on as a gentleman in my head. At his 1980's show at QUB, I met a soft spoken Scotsman at the bar beforehand. No idea who he was but, as my mother and father were Glaswegian, I got him a drink. An hour and a lot of drinks later for me and friends, same guy appeared on stage. We started dancing to songs we loved, much to the annoyance of the jazz nazi's in the crowd. John then told them all to dance if they enjoyed the music. What a man.. Not many like that in the muso business..
Just came across this, I WAS AT THIS GIG..... It was a week long set of gigs in the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin by different artists. Saw Billy Brag the following night. Both brilliant gigs. John Martin at his best
The musical chemistry that existed between John Martyn and Danny Thompson was beyond words. A brilliant performance by two masters, in top form and in synch with each other.
One of the best if not the best live gigs Ive had the luck to attend.Saw Mr Martyn play live a couple of tmes.....voice entwines with guitar and emotion.....R.I.P. John.
I saw the great John Martyn twice. Once he was brilliant, the other time he could hardly stand. You never knew what you were in for, but my God he was on top form here, wasn't he? There's also a special rapport with Danny Thompson, who knows exactly how and where to fill in behind John, and can let rip on his own account given half a chance. Two superb musicians right at the top of their game. Thanks so much for posting this.
I saw him in Cambridge and when he turned around he had his coat tucked in his pants . I noticed the keyboard and sax players nodding to each other when they had to intervene lol
saw John Martyn, solo in Liberty hall in Dublin, must have been earlier than this, though he says 'they' weren't in Dublin previously -- maybe John just didn't remember, ha ha ha -- just John, his acoustic guitar, a pick-up and 'wah wah' peddle -- compltely enthralled and hyponotised his audience -- what a gracious, down to earth man, completely one of a kind -- rock what ever space you are in John, your music is your legacy, your talent your epitaph --
John-O was my best friend..I was his roadie in Woodstock, NY in '69 when he and Bev were laying down Stormbringer at the studio on W. 86th? Was there when Bev put the vocal to Sweet Honesty.. Island Records invited me over to London during the two weeks surrounding Christmas, '69, during Season Of the Witch. All of London was alive with music...one night at two am, (mid day for John) in strolled Nick Drake. I had no idea who he was until later, when Five Leaves Left Came Out. Nick was the absolutely the most quiet, shy and reserved person I ever met, but playing Liar's Dice in the flat on Pilgrim's Lane, I saw behind the poker face and found a keen wit, a brilliant and troubled mind, and a gentle sense of humor. Never heard him play, as he had almost a pathological fear of performing. Was with John in NYC in '71, with the crew from Traffic. We all had seats reserved at Madison Square when Mick and the Stones did Midnight Rambler. Leaping high into the air with that blood red scarf swirling around him, the crowd electrified and screaming out "Stones, Stones, Stones..." Ancient history, but a night I will remember for the rest of my life. I'll see them all again, when I cross the river. I'll just listen for that incredible driving sound of John doing I'd Rather Be The Devil, and I'll follow him home. God bless you, Steve "Monk" Moncure
Thanks for writing that, very insightful. I was happy I got to see John play live once in Cambridge, UK, not long before he left these shores. Still the best gig I have ever been to. If there was ever a fairly unknown talent in this world in terms of Soul, musicianship and Songwriting - John would be it for me. I'm sure he's up there playing music for the gods along with Nick.
Not sure if there is a better gig on youtube of this great musician. His voice is absolutely too notch here. Great tune after great tune. A real artist at the top of his game
I still remember the moment I discovered John Martyn. In 1971 I was a college DJ for my college radio station doing a weekly folk show. The studio had rows and rows of folk albums and I’d prepare each week by listening to many records trying to figure out what I’d play next week. Then I put on Stormbringer! by John and Beverly Martyn and I was transfixed. My fate as a John Martyn fan was sealed. As an American I like to claim that I found him first although I think history will show many who will contest my claim.
I remember being in Castlemilk community centre in about 92 the big fella could hardly stand up, i wasn't doing much better with that dove, it was the best !
I keep coming back to this concert and losing myself in it..I had the Solid Air album back in the day and loved it...then lost it all and forgot about all that music, and then rediscovered it in the last two years or so, and this sounds better than it ever did...He is still sublime and mesmerising...Him and Nick Drake kindred spirits..Oh god the early 70s!
He was such an excellent musician, performer and person! I had the chance to hang out with him for a couple of weeks in '91 while he was staying in County Clare / Ireland for some recordings and i think he rehearsed a new band as well.. but not sure! Anyway.. we had a ball and some great jams.. To this day he is still one of my favorite musicians.. R.I.P. John
i threw him a J at a gig in Wales on a Friday.. was hid best friend until Wednesday,, ,, The guy was normal,, when spoke in natural company his Scottish accent was enduring.. he was a friend for a few days,,but respected for life by me,
Thanks so much for putting this up. I go in cycles with JM and I'm on one at the moment. I saw him several times over the years, capturing him as a photographer (you could back then) from the end of the 70s until the early 90s. I miss him so much and his music touches my soul. Voice of an angel, even if he was often far from angelic.
NO SURPRISES THAT THERE ARE NO DISLIKES ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WATCH THIS AMAZING VIDEO HAVE GREAT MUSIC TASTE AND CAN SEE TALENT GOD BLESS YOU GREAT JOHN MARTYN
John Martyn's tribute to Nick Drake in performing Solid Air is so special... was shocked to find Nick Drake's Northern Sky in the Mr. Rodger's movie of all p[laces.. a Man in the Station is still my favorite Martyn song along with the rare Fairy Tale Lullaby (and the even rarer version performed by Sandy Denny in 1967!)
Sadly I only heard of this man once he'd passed. I was a labourer and the fella I worked for had radio 2 on. 'May you never' was played after they announced his death and I instantly fell in love. Years later I'm still finding new songs by him. Shame he's gone, the stories I hear about him make him sound like a top bloke.
John I knew you since I was young through my mum playing your CD in the car whenever we drove anywhere. I can’t remember what had happened but I found this when I was going through trouble and ever since, this set has helped me sleep in my darkest days. Thank you - X
Nice to see John in the early years before he got weighed down by various problems. I met him by chance in London, March 1973 & we shared a private joint (Good Durban Poison), followed by a few beers at the Red Lion in Fulham with no one recognising him no interruptions, just nice chat ! He was a joy to be with ! Unfortunately I left for Durban a few months later & never got to see him "In Concert", so thanks for posting this beaut ! RIP beautiful guy & brilliant musician. May you Never...
every now and again old songs come back to me i reach deep in to to my chiller cabinet /music collection/ one world small hours how good was that 30 years later still listen brilliant seen John martyn 1978 philimonic hall liverpool.
Had almost forgotten how much this man's music meant to me back in the day !! Recently my son aged 27 has reminded of this Exceptional genius!! Hearing this Incredible music again for the first time through young ears is so beautiful it makes me want to cry!!!...
Spent the last part of his life just down the road in Thomastown Co Kilkenny Ireland. Loved it there. I think he had a special affinity with us Irish people...or at least us with him. Never forgotten JM x
Slangevaahr to Kilkeeny Irish. Glad he found a good home. Once in Connemarra saw young barmen taping good black binbags to the seat and backs of some sofas. It's for the old boys, they said. That's service!
Beautiful music and talent and mad, it's necessary to be like John , to have an oysters bit of grit....inside, loss, injustice , unfair self loathing. Made that stuff into beauty. Hail the Man!
I knew him best in the summer of '69, when he and Bev were in Woodstock, NY, recording Stormbringer. We stayed tight until '71, when he was opening for Traffic. We drifted apart, and I only just barely made it sending him a letter just before he died. He was "keen on seeing me again" but it was not to be.. See him and Nick again, when I cross over. I'll just listen for his music, and follow them home. God bless, Steve "Monk" Moncure
Have just come across this ... wow ... never got to see these two live so this will have to do, which it does, brilliantly. Thank you so much for posting.
John Martyn's music makes me believe in love. This setup with Danny Thompson, just the two of them, is perfect. Gives so much space for JM to shine, more so than with the band IMO.
Fucking wish I had the chance to see John live.... he is without doubt the finest guitarists of that generation. Chokes me when he mentions his old mate Nick before Solid Air. John has more soul in his plastic pick than the majority of ‘guitarists’ these days have. Bless you John.
My God...i have seen John play several times at midnight at the Olympia way back and the last time I saw him was in vicars street with his one leg I think it was 2001 not sure ..that version of one world is the best I've ever heard..truly incredible concert..many thanks for uploading a gem..amazing that he did every track you could ask ..bar mad dog days ...my favourite...BBC sessions cd has it for those interested...RIP John and thanks for the memories..
This isn't really a John Martyn solo show, it's a duo performance. Danny Thompson is every bit as amazing as John himself IMHO, and the best, most musically coherent and spellbinding work JM ever put out was with Danny. They were just superb together - as a singer/songwriter myself I dream of ever finding a sideman of half Thompson's quality, and with whom I might have 10% of their chemistry. Really, really, rare and beautiful.
This is quite sweet seeing his first tour of Ireland and he ended up living out the end of his life there in Kilkenny. Love to the big man, thanks for so many good times.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Huge John fan and saw and met him around the same era in Detroit. He had John Giblin on bass with him, who was great, but I've always loved Danny and wished it might've been him. It was an outstanding performance. This one transcends it, however, so great to have such an ass-kicking spot-on gig by John this accessible. I just about freaked out during Dealer. F#@!ing creative frenzy on guitar and Danny letting loose!
Saw this talented man in 1982 in Bournemouth, himself on acoustic , a bass player, and drums. He lit up a joint, I was in the 3rd row right in front of him, so lighted one of mine, bust me gotta bust him, been in worse cells than sharing one with John.
The instrumental bridge between the end of "Bless the Weather" and the head of "Make No Mistake" sounds like the ending of "Glistening Glyndebourne" from the Bless the Weather album.
Surely that instrumental between 'Bless the Weather' and 'Make no Mistake' is a version of 'Beverley' which is sandwiched between 'Fine Lines' and 'Make no Mistake' on the Inside-Out album. Even has the same bowed bass sound.
It would be lovely to know that our heroes a looking down, feeling us admiring their greatness, years after they ascended. I don't know if that's even possible but I'd like to think it may be. Thanks John for making the music I never could.
Seeing alot of comments from a while ago, even years ago. Hopefully all of the comment authors have returned to enjoy John once again. At the end of the day, we're all here for John Martyn.
