Thursday, January 29, 2009

tributes to john martyn


Many warm tributes have been paid today to the British singer, guitarist and composer John Martyn following the news of his death at the age of 60. Martyn is particularly known for his groundbreaking album Solid Air released in 1973. The title track was dedicated to his fellow singer-songwriter friend Nick Drake who died the following year at the age of 26 from an overdose of the anti-depressant amitryptiline. In this 1998 live recording of Solid Air (from the BBC's Transatlantic Sessions Series 2) Martyn is teamed with double bassist Danny Thompson who was among the line-up of musicians on the original album. Laid back, hypnotic, sensuous stuff. Martyn was awarded the OBE in the 2009 New Year's Honours list, "for services to music". A Tribute site has been set up with information, memories and video of a peformance of Couldn't Love You More from the Old Grey Whistle Test.

Below is an Old Grey Whistle Tste performance of I'd Rather be the Devil - mesmerising guitar and vocals.

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