John Martyn. A wayward genius, a jovial soul and a maverick musician who combined folk, blues, rock, jazz fusion and soul with arguably....trance. I love him.
He died a few years back. I've been feeling really low recently and a little bird on my shoulder suggested that I get hold of some of his best songs again. it was really eerie, it was like I could hear his music like a breeze, a distant but close breeze. And even his voice. So I downloaded them, and man, they are beautiful. Tears aplenty, very emotional music, very emotive. I cannot be unmoved by him. An incredible contribution to art. God bless you John, travel well wherever you are....
These are three of my favourite of his songs, and they are among my favourite songs ever.
One World, featuring David Gilmour. A great song, I found this version on youtube last night. Two splendid guitarists. Really great lyrics, and quite a song for me as I consider the enormity of the perilous world situation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmdKT4SShDY&feature=related
Small Hours. This is an absolutely amazing song. This has unlocked my heart. I cry just thinking about this song, it speaks to me deeply. A meditation on life recorded, appropriately enough, in the wee small hours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYLVM560Fok&feature=related
Solid Air. If anyone hear remembers folk singer Nick Drake (again I am a fan), well, this song was dedicated to him by his good friend John Martyn. Nick died after an overdose of anti-depressents in 1974. He battled depression for many years. John sings from the heart, as ever, on this wonderful tribute to his dear friend. The lyrics are amazing, and the concept of a depressive moving through solid air, indeed living on solid air, is quite incredible. The more I think about these songs the more I wish John, and indeed Nick, were still with us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_Utj4Aljc&feature=related
Interestingly enough, John had a similar condition to me, in that his accent varied wildly from his native Scotch brogue to a cockney chirp. I don't feel too bad about this now that I am in the fine company of a big hearted genius.
If anyone's interested, here's a BBC documentary on the man during his later years, when the wild living led to his leg being amputated. This is a man who can take the good times and the bad with equal panache.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1363850505352360278#
These songs are really moving, I cannot recommend his work highly enough.
If music be the food of love then play.....