Conference marvin::uk_music

    He has released an LP called The Apprentice - I think it came out after
    Foundations as some tracks on Foundations are on The Apprentice.
    
    He is popular over here and plays the "medium" sized halls as well as
    the smaller clubs.
    
    					stuart.

                    <<< Note 962.1 by SCOAYR::SROBERTSON >>>

>    He has released an LP called The Apprentice - I think it came out after
>    Foundations as some tracks on Foundations are on The Apprentice.
    
>    He is popular over here and plays the "medium" sized halls as well as
>    the smaller clubs.
    
>    					stuart.



From the live stuff I recently heard on the radio, he doesn't seem adverse 
to the odd drink or something. ( Mind you who isn't).

Stuart

    I've been a fan for many years. He recorded with his sister, beverley,
    in the 1970's.
    
    Try looking in the Island catalogue for old records. 
    
    BTW: the slurring is just his way of singing - these days.
    
    /andy

    I don't know if he has ever had a drink "problem" but he certainly was 
    into a bit of smack,not the kinky type though that's another subject
    all together.
    
    I like his later material better and his best INMHO are
    
    	Sapphire - One World - Piece By Piece - Grace And Danger and 
        
    	Solid Air.
    
    
    He's excellent in concert and I also have a few videos which are good -
    especially a BBC video I have at 110 minutes with snippets from TOGWT
    Rock Goes To College ect. -> showing my age.
    
    
    
    					stuart
    

re .3

He also speaks with a slur.


Stuart


BTW I enjoyed the songs I heard. I thought he was just an angst ridden toon
    and an acoustic geetah man.

    
    Well, amazing how tastes can differ. I saw him in 1990 here in Reading
    and I thought he was rubbish. I can honestly say it was the closest I
    have ever come to walking out. OK, so his new jazz/funk/fusion is not
    to my taste but there is no excuse for using a drum machine live. I may
    be very traditional in my views but no one will convince me this is
    acceptable in a live situation such as this one. Also I felt his
    attitude towards the audience left something to be desired. He wasn't
    exactly rude but something grated.
    
    Richard

I too saw John Martyn at Reading in 1990 and was not too impressed. Having seen
quite a few acts at the Hexagon, I came to the conclusion that it was not really
his type of venue. I gave him another chance and went to see him recently at
the Subterrania club under the A40 flyover in Kilburn. What a revelation. The 
more intimate atmosphere really suited him, and he had quite a few beers and 
played out of his skin. The best part of the set (about 2.5 hours long) was the
half hour acoustic set he did after the interval, playing old favorites such
as "May You Never", "Easy Blues" etc.

In my opinion, his best music was in his earlier, folkier days, although some
of his recent stuff is very mellow and pleasant to listen to, very jazzy. One 
of the things that characterised his earlier music was the bass playing of Danny
Thompson, a renowned jazz bassist, who (correct me if I'm wrong) played with
Fairport Convention.

Here's a list of the albums I can remember, I make no apologies for those I've 
not heard or missed out.

Stormbringer   (First LP with first wife Beverley)
London Conversation  (My favorite - Folky acoustic)
Solid Air  (The classic album)
Piece by Piece  (Quite Jazzy)
Sapphire  (Very relaxed - great version of "Over the Rainbow")
Bless the Weather  (Early folky music)
The Apprentice
Cooltide  (Latest album)
Foundations   (Live)
One World
Grace and Danger

I also have a video of the Foundations concert recorded at the Town and Country
Club in London, it is available on general release, although not a very good
representation of his music.

After the Subterrania concert, John was chatting to all and sundry on the stage
as he cleared all his kit up, signing autographs, stocking tops! and generally
being a decent chap. He showed me a few of his unique guitar techniques which
I'm still trying to get to grips with them !! All things considered, I was very 
impressed with his professionalism and enjoyment of his music. His backing band 
are always very good, generally jazz musicians of high calibre, and they all
seem to enjoy playing this kind of music.

In short my recommendations are:

1)	Have a listen to some of the older stuff
2)	Go and see him at a small venue <1000 people pref. <500 people

Chris Walters

re .8

Caught out again !!!	Sorry for any confusion (looks like I am the confused
one) caused.

Chris