In an interview Martyn said he didn't like the way Clapton did the song. He laughed a bit and said Clapton could do it however he wanted but it wasn't the way it should be done.
Thank you for saying this I first heard this done by e.claptin&I liked it A Lot!! But this version by the author himself is so very much fuller I adore his versionjohn pryne owns the song &presents it with the conviction &passion that his lovely words&great accompaniment &beautiful flesh it out with! This version is the way my heart would sing it&want it to be played as forever !! Doesn't hurt that my brother looks&plays much like him so it hits a very deep chord in me!
He was also an insecure, wife-beating shitbag who turned his back on most of his children. His treatment of Beverley Martyn makes him anything but a "fucking legend".
One of the most outstanding performance that an old man and incredible musician ever do. This man was the same age as Nick Drake's genius would have been. They were both friends. John dedicated his song Solid Air to him. Nick was left on the road. The British way of expressing magic through alternate tunings and inspiration. John went as far as he could as a survivor of himself. An exalted artist. A song worthy of any top.
I’m 72, (from the west side of the Pond), a career church musician, but I had never heard of this wonderful artist until I heard a cover of one of his songs done by Karine Polwart. I was struck by the raw, open honesty and love in his music. What a legacy he has left for us. 💕🎶
When I first saw Mr Martyn live, I didn't really get it. I was 16/17 yrs old and was heavily into metal music (see what I did there?). But over the years, as my appreciation of the musical spectrum grew, I kept returning to John and gradually came to understand and feel his emotional honesty. Still love metal though. That Ms Polwart does channel the spirit of John and do justice to his songs.
The man had soul in buckets and we heard it every time he opened his mouth and picked up a guitar. A legend. For someone who had such extremes of behaviour his romantic and soulful side was what we all fell in love with.
Saw him live at the Caird Hall in Dundee, early 80s. We left after about 20 minutes, due more to the abysmal sound quality than the fact he was completely off his trolley! (I'm sure it was just a one-off! One dodgy pint...ahem😉) I still love his music today! Cheers, John! 😎
First time I saw John Martyn was way back on the Old Grey Whistle Test with Whispering Bob Harris. I was struck then by his style and like a good whisky he got better and better over the years. This version of one of his classics is masterclass. Music lost something special when he passed but his music lives on. Long may we remember this great artist.
Me and my daughter met John back stage after a gig. He was like a big congenial bear and I was lost for words when he put an arm around us for a photo. It was a digital camera and he’d never seen one before and was fascinated. Sometimes it’s the small things that stay with you forever.
I could never grow tired of John Martyn, just so real. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform in Kentish Town. He worked onto stage smoking a massive spliff ...
Saw this legend at Reading university in the 80’s .....I am so bloody privileged. God bless you Big man , we could sure do with you coming back now John. Anyone who doesn’t get this surely never will.
first time I ever heard or seen this incredible and sadly deceased singer-songwriter, guitarist. wow. how is that possible? will spend as much time as possible catching up on the 40 years I missed.
This is my favourite version of May You Never. Love his slightly deeper and rougher voice. Simply amazing. I think he's dropped his tuning half a step compared with earlier versions...
At first this performance made me sad compared to young, swashbuckling JM. Then I grew to appreciate his towering defiance and the urgency in his voice and his guitar picking. Long live (in our memories) JM.
I adore how he laughs at himself at 'love is a lesson to learn in our time.' As we reach to criticize how time altered his sound... He asked that we 'please bare it in mind for me.'
What's not love about this?! I get sad every time I see videos of him. Missed his (turns out last ever) gig in Belfast early 00's. I thought "ahh I'll see him again". Big bear of a man. This is beautiful. I liken this performance to being Like an old Miles Davis revisiting the past, such is the breadth of Johns genius. Beautiful.
John Martyn, Never missed playing Queens University Belfast. At a time when only a few played Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher , Dr John. Have such great memories..
Wow this is pure gold!!! Hadn't properly heard this beautiful song for decades I reckon... now I realize that its one of those songs that forms part of my musical dna from when my dad used to play this album at home when i was a child back in the 70's... loving JM's mature bluesy-soulful voice here! RIP maestro
I keep seeing posts that start with, "Too all the critics," or "I don't care what anyone says..." But I'm confused, because scrolling down a good long ways, nobody seems to have anything but (well-deserved) praise. Great song, great performance, great musician. I don't see anyone arguing it, and I'm not sure how anyone could.
John Martyn, no one comes close, he could hold the attention of a live audience in his hand, total respect and awe from his loyal fans. He was and still has a great musical influence on my life and I still love the man and his music. I first saw him live in 1987 and many times afterwards right up to how he was in this video. Someone once said going to see John Martyn is an event! How true. Total legend and genius, god bless you John
dont give a shit what people say this is still class give him some respect the mans given so much to music he was a genius ...atleast he kept going as long as he could hes enjoying this and savoring the moment ..thats life right there...
So it wasn't his record company (literally) wheeling him out to milk some more sales out of his new-found fame with the kids then...? I've loved JM for donkey's, but this is shit. And embarrassing. RIP John.
past his best yes and abit sad to see him like this but when you really like an artist that much its hard to be critical, to me he knows hes fcked here and his days are numbered but its still an emotional performance maybe thats why i like it ... ...i would hardly say its shit hes sang it better yeah i agree , audience seem to like it anyway.
Nobby Nolevel Bollocks. You know nothing about music or John Martyn, Why are you even bothering to comment. Listen to some of the old blues guys and they sound way worse than this. His vocal style is amazing in his later years, warm, jazzy and expressive. Perhaps you would be better sticking with your Phil Collins CD's. Do you really think he would go out and sing if he didn't want to? If yes, then you're ignorant of John Martyn the man and his music. Please delete your RIP and show some respect for a true talent.
drumgold23 Quite right He would definately av jus said Fuck Off, with a Smile on his cheeky face, an certainly was not money driven at all... Drugs an Booze but Not Money... An that's whats missing from today's squeaky clean music scene...
Such a heartwarming song! but tinged with sadness! Ever so sad to see John end up this way, just before his death, but it was a lifetime of music and eventually, of self-destruction he pursued on his own terms right to the very end. Ever so unique: The slurred soulful voice, endearing heartfelt self-composed songs. the pioneering echo plex guitarist who fused folk, blues, jazz - a national treasure who unfortunately never achieved the widespread recognition his talents deserved, apart from his fans. Bless you John for leaving a legacy of wonderful music to enjoy. May you be with Nick Drake in another world in solid air where for now we cannot join.
I bought my first Vinyl album 1977 One World I was only 9 yrs of age and I followed him live when I was old enough to go to concerts. . I met this beautiful soul personally a few times right to the end , legs amputated but they couldn’t amputate this magnificent voice and heart and soul ❤️ his music lives on , RIP big stuff we miss you JM ❤
My claim to fame is that he and I were born on the same day - the sad thing is I'm still here and he's not. I've loved him since Les Cousins in the 60s and I miss his presence in the world terribly. RIP big man - your art was peerless.
A great song always shines through and remains eternal. The only times I enjoyed John Martyn it was his voice and an acoustic guitar. I first heard this tune in college, and it floored me. Still does. I always get a chuckle out of the lyric about "never lose your temper if you get into a bar room fight." Man, if you are even IN a bar room fight its way past losing your temper, mate.
Brilliant, we saw him about 3 times over the years and he was always brilliant, sad he let his diabetes get the better of him but his chaotic lifestyle created great chaotic sweet music. He's gone but thanks to youtube he's there whenever you want to listen to him.
I think I saw John Martyn gigs too, at Aberdeen Ritzy in 1989, Newcastle around 1995 and, errrr, oh yeah, Cambridge in late 1990 with a band and a real drummer! That one was the best of the three gigs and the keyboards guy had a Roland D50 synthesizer that said 'Poland' on the back instead of 'Roland' - no idea why. i sounded great. He also had Alan Thompson on bass and the guy with that gorgeous little soprano saxophone. I think John had a couple of pints of beer on stage and a ciggy or two (that would not be allowed today). I remember he said it was 'wacky backy' - that was a joke, or perhaps not!
Saw him several times in Milton Keynes England a number of times in the 80' and 90s he was always brilliant and it was hard to fathom how he worked his effects and echo units with immaculate timing to achieve incredibly complex layers of sound. I also like his zzzing singing style ' sweet szzzummer szzzurpise'
I heard him in an interview say that he had a choice to live fast and die young or live longer and - I don't remember the words but they insinuated a less interesting/fun life - and he said he has no regrets in the choices he made. RIP John. You lived fast and died young. Alcohol and drugs often leads to diabetes - and it seems he loved his drugs and alcohol. What a wonderful legacy of music he has left for us still here.
Had the pleasure of meeting him in Kendal before the gig. An honour. The guy was a genius. Bottle of spirits in both pockets but delivered a great performance.
Ironically had a fight in a bar with John Martyn.( He lost his temper) Didn't stop me loving his music. Heavily influenced my songwriting. Have a listen.
Keep in mind this man suffered the same disease I have. It will destroy you and take everything from you. Some people can get sober but my life consists of periods of sobriety and meetings followed by relapse. I hate alcohol and what it does to me but i'm truly powerless over it. RIP John, some battles are rigged from the start.
I first saw JM live on 9 December 1968 at a live BBC radio broadcast of Country Meets Folk at the Playhouse Theatre hosted by Wally Whyton. I have umpteen JM albums including the first eleven on vinyl. I took my son to see him perform at The Stables, Milton Keynes which was a year or so before he died, I believe. I'm 70 now (though still 19 between the ears, obviously) and his death upset me more than I'd expected. He really did get under your skin: guitar, voice and lyrics. Wonderful.
Always an awesome song,. love the way he changed the lyrics on the fly, or so it would seem, a true original. The song is really a prayer....so many of the good ones end their existence tragically, but this is a beautiful legacy, ...pity how some folks think age and decrepitude can't be seen or understood...
That’s a lovely question to pose ! I loved this mans music since the 70s and even though some may say they re sad to see him like this , he was a free spirit and he chose this , to live this way .
truly amazing and beautiful. i saw him early 70s in Leith Town Hall with dannyT. he was intoxicated (and not just with drink) ... a troubadour indeed. every time he sang, he just seemed to put all of himself into the here and now of the song. thank you for finding this and sharing.
to all those wanting a definitive version or John singing it like they first heard it. Never gonna happen. He sang what he felt. I never saw or heard him sing anything other than the way he wanted at that moment. Talk about emotion though
First saw John back in the seventies when he was opening for, if you can believe it, Yes on their Canadian tour. Became a big fan then and while my interest in Yes declined over the years my love of John's music never did.
That he wrote and sang the most passionate and romantic songs for me and my lovers I'll always be glad. That he got in a few scraps makes him real... Great man..Id rather not have to fight him !
