Concert review
John Martyn: Solid Air
London, Barbican, 11 Sep 2006
Thirty three years have elapsed since the Old Grey Whistle Test performance that conferred a measure of stardom on John Martyn.
London, Shepherd's Bush Empire, 10 May 2006
* * * * *
In the 1970s, John Martyn was the master of the romantic sublime. Schooled in the 1960s folk boom, this Glaswegian went electric, made the Echoplex tape-delay device his own, and found his musical soulmate in fellow closet jazznik double-bassist Danny Thompson. Tender intimacy and booming spaciousness all of a piece, Martyn's classic albums Bless The Weather, Solid Air and One World conjured acoustic-electric moodscapes where your heart and time itself stood still.
Buxton, Opera House, 17 Feb 2006
Exactly when it was that Martyn's vocal became a slurred growl with built-in elasticity is open to debate.
Newcastle, City Hall, 26 May 2005
A cool and charismatic John Martyn and his band played to a theatre only half filled, with a jet black drape as a backdrop.
Galway, Róisin Dubh, 30 Nov 2004
John Martyn in Galway
Just returned from the John Martyn gig at Róisin Dubh in Galway.
Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall, 10 May 2004
Welcome
back, John
Martyn at his brilliant best as he returns to home town in a blaze of glory
FOLK jazz maestro John Martyn made a triumphant return to his home town despite the effects of serious surgery.
Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall, 10 May 2004
John Martyn * * *
ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW
Bigger and gruffer than ever
JOHN Martyn, arguably Scotland's most respected singer-songwriter, has played the musical equivalent of steady darts throughout his career, while continuing to attract new fans to his understated brand of Celtic soul. Consequently, last night's audience represented a broad church, who were politely receptive to his support act, a mousey young minstrel called Eva Abraham, who has obviously heard a Joni Mitchell album or ten in her time.
Salford, The Lowry, 8 May 2004
John Martyn
Lowry, Salford
* * * * *
If John Martyn hadn't become a folk/blues/rock legend, he could have knocked out a career as a mimic. At one point, he perfectly impersonates Alf Garnett. At another, he adopts the voice of what can only be described as a northern-English, butch but camp transvestite.
Manchester, The Lowry, 8 May 2004
John Martyn @ Lowry
"IT'S only an A chord," John Martyn protested, somewhat embarrassed as yet another wave of encouraging whistles and cheers greeted even his pre-song noodlings on the guitar.
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