One of the most soulful pieces ever. He left us too soon. Missed but not forgotten

Ian McGeachy AKA Jonn Martyn , born Scottish.... His whole tormented life was a series of mood swings, fights and accidents, often the result of alcoholism and other chronic addictions, but above all of an overflowing emotionality and sensitivity that could never be controlled. He forges his own unique, harsh, adventurous, deeply original style, treating his acoustic guitar to fuzzboxes, echoplexes and phase shifters. John Martyn :Solid Air! A must listen! The album's title track, "Solid Air", is a nod to his friend Nick Drake: "You've lived on solid air.... Thank you L33 for this moment out of time

@johnpbh

5 ай бұрын

Have you read Graeme Thompsons biography..?

@lepetitoiseau

5 ай бұрын

@@johnpbh No, did you recommend it to me?

@johnpbh

5 ай бұрын

@@lepetitoiseau No, I hadn't. But is a brilliant biography if you like that sort of thing. He pulls no punches but he treats John sympathetically too. If you like that sort of thing then I would recommend it. The title of it, strangely enough, is "Small Hours"

@lepetitoiseau

5 ай бұрын

@@johnpbhThanks for the advice! I'll try to find the book

@jessem470

5 ай бұрын

Great Book Do you know Robert Smith ( the cure ) version of Small Hours ? Its really great

You should listen to the album version of this It was recorded outdoors at dawn and you can literally hear the geese in the dew covered fields There are not many artist can move you this much and John has recorded many pieces as beautiful as this My favorite song of Johns is One World version of Couldn’t Love You More ( greatest love song of all time ) Next stop should be Rathe be the Devil off Old Grey Whistle Test . Saw John Martyn many times and he never disappointed

One of the most gifted musicians the world has ever heard ❤

John used to live in the wee village of Roberton that I live in, and had the pleasure of jamming with him now and again. He was some man and I miss him.

I saw him do this set on this tour. Just him, his guitar, a few microphones, a few foot pedals and a few speakers. Amazing sound. Eric’s club Liverpool, England. ✌🏻❤️ ps. I’m 73 now!!! Oh Shit!

@johnpbh

5 ай бұрын

I'm not quite 73 Tommy.... just a kid at 71... sadly I never got to see him on this tour.. damn it would have been good. A few after though... I thought this would be a good one to introduce Lee to the musical wonders that are J.M.

@shemanic1

5 ай бұрын

as another 73 year old I have to agree, John was always great on stage, solo or with a band.

@magnusarvid4161

5 ай бұрын

Hey Tom, I'm 28, and just learned Head and Heart on the guitar recently - I'm jealous you got to see him live, what a man, may he rest in peace.

@nobrains6107

2 ай бұрын

I saw him at York Uni on the same tour, and many times after that.

One of the greatest singer/songwriter guitar players ever. So many fantastic songs. His music lives on.

Saw JM 10 times between 1977 and 1992. Met him in 1980 - uniquely entertaining, gifted and troubled individual. Overused term but he was one of a kind and could use music to take people places they'd rarely otherwise visit. Felt his passing - still do.

An excellent musician, saw him many times. His song Solid Air is about his friend Nick Drake, who you need to discover!

Great reaction Lee! I was lucky to see him maybe 6 or7 times in the 70s. Sometimes with a band, sometimes solo or with just a bass player (Danny Thompson). Always incredible. This was pre-digital so this sound set up was revolutionary and no one else was doing anything like it. Tape loops and pedals. All the guitarists were lapping it up. Brilliant stuff.

One World is my favourite album by John Martyn. He has one of the most quality-filled discographies of anyone in modern music.

Such a great reaction Lee! John Martyn could really tap into the ethereal with his music. I saw him in the same year this video was recorded when he solo toured Australia. He was the first musician we'd ever seen using tape loops and effects in such a way and it blew us away. He recorded many great albums before 1977's One World and many more came in the 80s and 90s. He collaborated with Phil Collins on "Grace and Danger" & "Glorious Fool" in the early 80s and once again with Collins on "No Little Boy" (1993), a retrospective re-imagined recording of many of Martyn's best songs. Well worth the time exploring this great musician. So happy you've landed here. 🙂

You must listen to John Martyn's Solid Air - the whole album. It was his masterpiece.

@boydsprehn2140

5 ай бұрын

One of my favorite albums to this day.

@jessem470

5 ай бұрын

John has more than 1 masterpiece I say One World is equal to Solid Air

@woke2woke153

5 ай бұрын

@@jessem470 Good for you and I certainly won't argue with that. But Solid Air was the one that really broke through to a large audience so that it seemed for a moment everybody was playing it. I still have that memory of it being a break through album I feel the same about Daryl Hall and John Oates first two albums. Everybody knows their later stuff with all the hit singles, but the first two have a freshness that isn't on their later work.

@davidstorey2368

28 күн бұрын

Inside out in my opinion was his masterpiece one world and solid air 2nd and 3rd but love all of his albums and the only musical constant in my life (thou I love lots of different bands and artists) but John by far is and was the best

He really was an absolute legend. Incredibly talented singer, songwriter and performer, he worked in quite a few different genres pioneered his own style, described as a “one man Pink Floyd”. He often entered into that trance like state and as you said would snap right out of it and suddenly enter more of a standup comic routine. I was lucky enough to see him live a couple of times later in his career, and it wouldn’t be too far off to say at times it was almost an experience of transcendence. I’d definitely recommend checking out more of his stuff. He was well prolific so there’s plenty to dive into.

Hard to believe this only has 722 views after 2mths. But that was the story of his life too. Beautifully tragic.

Beautiful. Seemed like everyone had One World in their vinyl collection back in the day.

What a great selection, Lee. I had to special order every album.of his, living in a small town in the upper midwest. Never disappointed!

SO glad you have got to John Martyn. I saw him loads of times during my life, every time was an experience to remember, solo or with band. His innovation with the guitar inspired lots of people, including Ed Sherrin, whose parents played John Martyn tunes a lot. Please try "Couldn't Love you more" a beautiful love song from the same album as this, also the title track "One World". Both Gems.

Wow L33.... When I requested this, I hoped you would like it.. but I am SO glad that you liked it as much as you did. I've been listening to him for a long time and his songs never get stale... I saw him luckily enough 4 times.. from full band to just him on his own.. He did an album with Phil Collins producing and playing drums in the 80's, and I went to a concert in Glasgow on the tour to promote that album... as I sat down I noticed that the drum kit was set up for a left handed drummer... and my brain went into overdrive.. i'm thinking, don't tell me Phil Collins is playing on tonight...!! Yes, it was a silly thought, as it wasn't him but for a moment I had my hopes up... Some of the suggestions so far in the comments for next tracks are, as always, on the money, but I will do as you suggested... I will think of another track of his to introduce you to. No small feat with this one as the bar you will be expecting.... I love all that you do and being part of the channel.... Keep on Rocking young sir.

@ShadowSong634

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for picking this, John.

@johnpbh

5 ай бұрын

@@ShadowSong634 I'm glad you enjoyed it as well... It's one of those nice songs that can get missed... Good morning for when you wake up.

Such a beautiful tune, JM was the man

My second Yes concert february 74 they performed the entire close to the edge album in the entire Tales From topographic oceans album. The warm-up Act was John Martyn! He had tons of effects pedals and performed a great opening set. He created a wonderful surreal mood for the upcoming Roger Dean designed set and musical Extravaganza that was the Tales tour.✌️😎

Like the great Chris Blackwell, founder of island records said. “If you can listen to this song and it doesn’t move you in anyway, then your not human”

Looks like John Martyn kicked you through the goal posts of life my friend ❤️❤️❤️

Biggest influence in my life 72 first heard him

This was a great, but subdued performance. I hope you check out more from him, he 's an amazing artist. An amazing guitarist, song writer, and performer (as long as he wasn't wasted). Sad, because if he kept it together, I'm sure he would have finally gotten his dues along with Nick Drake. Please do Solid Air or Bless The Weather...

I saw him open for Humble Pie back in the day, and his set was probably the trippiest thing I've heard before or since. In those days he was really pushing the envelope of that fuzz/phase-shifter/echoplex combination and for me, he stole the show.

Saw him when he did most of the Bless the Weather album great performance and only incident when police raided looking for drugs

@AntonyFleck

5 ай бұрын

Bloody police!! They should buy their own drugs!!...

Must listen to Nick Drake!

Brilliant reaction - thank you so much - btw, have you heard the version with David Gilmour "One World"? An absolute treat

You really need to check “I’d rather be the devil” stunning

Stunning

ah John Martyn....seen him live countless times and you never knew what you'd get - when he was on fire there was none finer but when he was steaming it could be awful. So many fine songs....

@lemming9984

5 ай бұрын

I only saw him twice. Genesis - Six Of The Best gig where he was wonderful. Second time, just a year later his drunk performance was a disgrace. Never listened to anything by him since!

@ostrichman

5 ай бұрын

@@lemming9984 bit of an overreaction there, you never listened to him again because he was blocked at a gig? Only punishing yourself if you ask me...everything he produced up to and including One World has its great moments.

Beautiful

I saw John Martyn live twice. Once at the "Six Of The Best" Genesis/ Peter Gabriel gig where he was excellent. When he came on stage the sun literally came out for the first time all day, a great performance. The second time was a year later at Birmingham Odeon. He was pissed. A truly terrible performance, I would have left but for my friend wanting to stay.

@peteharper2687

5 ай бұрын

Pity about the rain, I wore a tesco bag as a hat. I was excited to see and hear him as I was for the brief return of Peter Gabriel.

He had a serious following of people who really liked him but he never was a big star. He did a few nice albums.

Johnny Too Bad was one of a kind

Couple of John martyn tunes you should check out couldnt love you more , solid air and Spencer then rover

And one world also

Reminds me of Bon Iver

Astral

@L33Reacts

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely Astral ❤️

@kristinemckee9279

5 ай бұрын

May I suggest “Halocene” by Bon Iver?

@kristinemckee9279

5 ай бұрын

I think you need to hear “Center of the Universe “ by the Eagles.