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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → RIP John Martyn
British singer-songwriter John Martyn, whose soulful songs were covered by the likes of Eric Clapton, died Thursday. He was 60.
Martyn's official Web site said the musician, who lived in Ireland, died Thursday morning. It did not give a cause of death.
A skilled guitarist and earthy vocalist influenced by folk, blues and jazz, Martyn performed with — and was admired by — musicians including Clapton, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Phil Collins.
'May you never lay your head down, without a hand to hold.'
He was a loveable old curmudgeon with a fantastic voice coupled to an amazing talent. Yet another great talent leaves us.
May he rest peacefully. His music will live on.
Geoff
It just doesn't stop.......... 
I can only echo Geoff's words. I knew John when he lived in a little cottage overlooking the harbor in Hastings, somewhere around 1970. He was always under-rated, a great talent.
RIP John.
More sad news. Great band they're putting together somewhere.
Last saw him, I dunno, must have been 10 years plus at the Jazz Cafe in London. His playing and singing was a shadow of former times, but even so there were still glimpses of the talent that was.
Though not all his output was my cup of tea, he was an original artist. Totally unique is his way. When the mood was on him he could weave magic. Now I must hunt through the vinyl once more, find Solid Air, and chill out with him again. RIP
Sad news indeed. I first learn't it today from a cabby in London!
As an asside - The cabby had actually heard of Joe too. He must have been a guitar fan I guess.
Had to include this from what I would guess is The Old Grey Whistle Test (for those of us of a certain age who will know what I'm talking about) around 36 years ago............
simply wonderful.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LOi_wxypeGc
Geoff
I was deeply saddened to hear of John Martyn's death. He was a unique and gifted musician.
I saw him several times at the university in Liverpool back in the late seventies, once when he had just gone electric at the Dominion Theatre in London and last year at the Philharmonic in Liverpool.
When I first got to know my husband Simon, I was impressed by his version of John's 'May You Never'. It brought a tear to my eye to watch that clip Geoff, so very beautiful. That's how I will remember him.
I'm going to play Solid Air again in his memory.
Condolences to his loved ones,
Rest in peace Ian McGeachy
Tripsy
There's quite a few obituaries up here in Scotland as Martyn was brought up in Glasgow. His music was described as a "marriage of blues, folk, dub and funk" and has been cited as an influence by artists as varied as U2, Portishead and Eric Clapton. Q Magazine named Solid Air, released in 1973, as the 67th best British album of all time in 2000.
RIP John Martyn.
Gsj - Before yesterday I didn't know John Martyn, but thanks to this board I do now. The video of him from 1973 playing "May You Never" was quite good. Flash forward to a 2006 vid of him singing the same song and though he's much older and grayer, there's still that sparkle in his eyes. The last video I viewed (still "May You Never") was recorded around 1995 with Kathy Mattea and Jerry Douglas and found Martyn with more seasoned pipes. This is the version I'd like to get my hands on.
I never really could get into his music much...he was definitely a unique musician. I was listening to Planet Rock this morning though, and they mentioned Joe's cover of the John Martyn track "Easy Blues" that became Jelly Roll on Sloe Gin, and then they played the original which i hadn't heard before, and I enjoyed it. A great track, and one of my favourites on the album.
Yet another sad loss!
I've bought a couple of Johns CDs and have enjoyed their different style. Always though he was one of those good players with a streak of genius.
I never saw him or had any major affiliation but somehow I feel really sad about this one.
Love this clip, where the audience are singing along
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → RIP John Martyn
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