{"title":"John Martyn","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Martyn OBE was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his acoustic guitar playing. Born on 11 September 1948 in New Malden, Surrey, England, he started out in the folk clubs in the UK before expanding into more mainstream areas. In 1970, he released two albums with his then-wife as a duo. One of his notable works is the album Solid Air, released in February 1973, which includes a tribute to singer-songwriter Nick Drake. John Martyn passed away on 29 January 2009 in Ireland at the age of 60.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout his career, John Martyn's music showcased his exceptional talent as both a songwriter and guitarist. His unique style and ability to blend genres made him stand out among his peers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith numerous accolades to his name, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), John Martyn left an indelible mark on the music industry and continues to be celebrated for his contributions to folk and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-simmer-dim","title":"The Simmer Dim","description":"\u003cp\u003eNamed for a local description of the summer twilight in the Shetlands, The Simmer Dim is a shining example of John Martyn's inimitable talents\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gonzo","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50380152963403,"sku":"2215974","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_9bc6ac9f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726209533"},{"product_id":"the-church-with-one-bell","title":"The Church With One Bell","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Martyn's 1998 album, featuring songs by Randy Newman, Dead Can Dance, Ben Harper, and Portishead, amongst others. Unavailable on vinyl since its original release. Half-speed mastered from the original tapes by Miles Showell at Abbey Road and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UMC","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50424174117195,"sku":"1119547","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/72263521-9d7f-45c2-8c43-d6ad635a2cf4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726774453"},{"product_id":"the-apprentice-expanded-and-remastered","title":"The Apprentice - Expanded and Remastered","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn expanded four disc edition of the 1990 album \u003cem\u003eThe Apprentice\u003c\/em\u003e by the late \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Martyn\u003c\/strong\u003e. With a career that had begun in the late 1960s and had produced a succession of excellent albums throughout the 70s and 80s, Martyn recorded ‘\u003cem\u003eThe Apprentice\u003c\/em\u003e’ at the end of 1989 at a studio in Glasgow working with musicians including Foster Patterson (keyboards), Dave Taif-Ball (bass) and Aran Ahmun (drums) and guest saxophonist Andy Shepherd.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting album was a well-crafted work which was well received by critics and fans alike. To promote the album, Martyn embarked on a UK tour which included a series of concerts at The Shaw Theatre in London. The concert on 31st March 1990 was filmed and recorded, and featured special guest \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Gilmour\u003c\/strong\u003e of Pink Floyd.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis Esoteric Recordings edition has been newly remastered and expanded to include two rare tracks issued as a single in 1990 along with two additional CDs of the concert at The Shaw Theatre and a DVD of the concert originally issued as ‘\u003cem\u003eThe Apprentice in Concert\u003c\/em\u003e’.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Esoteric Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50454233678155,"sku":"1167088","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a39c5e37-0644-407d-899d-e4cf1d42fb6f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727182224"},{"product_id":"bless-the-weather","title":"Bless The Weather","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Martyn's lovely 1971 collection, a subtle set of folk jazz exploration topped off with Martyn's soulful vocals. The Glasgow-born singer-songwriter's third solo album emphasizes a darker, smokier sound built around his increasingly jazzy vocals, plus sometimes aggressive, sometimes gentle acoustic guitar work, and Danny Thompson's double bass, which skirts in and out around Martyn's voice and guitar. It also contains the extended instrumental \u003ci\u003eGlistening Glyndebourne\u003c\/i\u003e, which highlights his early experimentation with the Echoplex, a sound that would become a major part of his work in the coming years. \u003ci\u003eBless the Weather,\u003c\/i\u003e with songs such as the title cut and \u003ci\u003eHead and Heart \u003c\/i\u003estands as a fine representation of Martyn's early work. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP - 180 Gram Vinyl with Download.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UMC","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50465506722123,"sku":"193176","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/dfcb8f7c-40e2-44ac-960a-e01a8e099793_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727290501"},{"product_id":"solid-air-1","title":"Solid Air","description":"\u003cp\u003earguably john martyn's masterpiece. a seminal album blending folk, jazz and blues to startling effect and featuring such killer tracks as 'over the hill', 'may you never', the beautiful title track and his stunning reading of skip james' 'i'd rather be the devil'. remastered, with new sleeve notes from engineer john wood and a bonus live version of the skip james track.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50465706901835,"sku":"190545","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a72bac22-8477-47bd-8029-7d0704de19f5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727295101"},{"product_id":"live-at-rockpalast-1978-5","title":"Live at Rockpalast 1978","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnother great concert from the successful WDR Rockpalast series, recorded live on March 17, 1983 at Audiomax, Hamburg (Germany) - plus bonus track \"Look At That Girl\" from \"Die Aktuelle Stunde\" (WDR) from October 12, 1989!- John Martyn's impassioned vocals and dazzling guitar make this an extraordinary concert performanceJohn Martyn (born Iain David McGeachy on September 11, 1948 in New Malden, Surrey, died January 9, 2009 in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland) was an exceptional guitarist and accomplished singer\/songwriter\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mig Music","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50466563424587,"sku":"2208439","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_bd39e753_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727316977"},{"product_id":"solid-air","title":"Solid Air","description":"Timeless, with hypnotic guitar riffs abiding within the boundaries of folk, jazz, blues, and rock. Showcasing the delicate intricacies of \u003cb\u003eMartyn\u003c\/b\u003e’s compositional peculiarities, with soulful influences peering through the gaps\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOver The Hill\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Universal","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50478471577931,"sku":"360555","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Solid_Air_Remastered_00527a78_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727484903"},{"product_id":"live-at-leeds","title":"Live At Leeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eUniversal are proud to make available \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Martyn\u003c\/strong\u003e's seminal live album from 1975, now released on vinyl in a gatefold sleeve and including a 12-page colour booklet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original concert has been digitally remastered and features live versions of \u003cem\u003eBless The Weather\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSolid Air\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Doxy","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50479791604043,"sku":"1079513","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e618fd01-790d-44fe-aee3-76173005ca63_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727511887"},{"product_id":"london-conversation","title":"London Conversation","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Martyn's\u003c\/strong\u003e debut album, \u003cem\u003eLondon Conversation\u003c\/em\u003e, was released in 1967. The album features a young and talented Martyn performing a mix of classic songs like \"\u003cem\u003eCocaine\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eDon't Think Twice, It's Alright\u003c\/em\u003e\", as well as original tracks such as \"\u003cem\u003eBallad Of An Elder Woman\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eBack To Stay\u003c\/em\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is an album of exceptional beauty that captivates listeners. For fans of artists like Bert Jansch, Pentangle, Mr Fox, Steve Tilston, Donovan, and Dave Evans, \u003cem\u003eLondon Conversation\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-listen. The album showcases Martyn's early talent and sets the stage for his future success in the music industry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Proper Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50480855220555,"sku":"378510","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50480855777611,"sku":"304583","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/London_Conversation_9526ede0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727528636"},{"product_id":"the-tumbler","title":"The Tumbler","description":"\u003cp\u003eA complex and sometimes belligerent character in real life, on record, \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Martyn\u003c\/strong\u003e was the epitome of the folk-dreamer, embodying the spirit of the burgeoning London acoustic scene of the late 60s. Well-known and respected for his 70s albums \u003cem\u003eSolid Air\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOne World\u003c\/em\u003e, this is where it began.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProduced by fellow London scenester Al Stewart, \u003cem\u003eThe Tumbler\u003c\/em\u003e was a huge step forward, presenting Martyn as the questing soul he would become; yet, for the abstraction of \u003cem\u003eThe Gardeners\u003c\/em\u003e, there was the simple folk ditty of \"\u003cem\u003eFishin' Blues\u003c\/em\u003e\". With the exemplary flute playing of Harold McNair, \"\u003cem\u003eFly On Home\u003c\/em\u003e\" is clear in its influence on Martyn's peer, \u003cstrong\u003eNick Drake\u003c\/strong\u003e. \"\u003cem\u003eKnuckeldy Crunch\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eSlippledee-Slee Song\u003c\/em\u003e\" demonstrates what would have happened if Syd Barrett had gone folk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Tumbler\u003c\/em\u003e can be viewed also as the beginning of Martyn's slurred vocal style and sweet sentiment that was to chime with thousands of his aficionados in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UMC","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50482226757963,"sku":"1009488","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/The_Tumbler_fc5cd59b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727550032"},{"product_id":"you-can-discover-best-of-live","title":"You Can Discover - Best Of Live","description":"\u003cp\u003eTriple LP featuring Live and studio tracks from between 1975 and 1993, and a runtime over 135 minutes and featuring appearances by: Dave Gilmour, Andy Sheppard, Danny Thompson, Paul Kossoff, Phil Collins amongst many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith extensive sleeve notes by 'Jet' Martin Celmins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks: Big Muff \/ Lookin' On \/ Couldn't Love You More \/ Look at that Girl \/ The Moment \/ Johnny Too Bad \/ Mad Dog Days \/ Never Let Me Go \/ Fine Lines \/ Head and Heart \/ Bless the Weather \/ Pascanel \/ Ways to Cry \/ One Day Without You \/ I'd Rather Be the Devil \/ Make No Mistake \/ Dealer \/ Outside In \/ My Baby Girl \/ You Can Discover \/ Man In the Station \/ Over the Hill \/ Easy Blues \/ Spencer the Rover \/ Black Man at Your Shoulder\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secret Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x3","offer_id":50483313836363,"sku":"1166747","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2049a2b8-0ca6-4df5-90c8-c7f6714186af_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727564729"},{"product_id":"may-you-never-the-very-best-of-john-martyn","title":"May You Never - The Very Best Of John Martyn","description":"\u003cp\u003ejohn martyn was one of the uk's most respected singer-songwriters. born iain david mcgeachy in 1948 he changed his name to john martyn when he took his first tentative steps in the folk clubs of glasgow and london in the mid 1960s. he soon came to the attention of chris blackwell at island records who signed him to the label in 1967. 'may you never - the very best of john martyn' brings together 58 of john's best loved songs from the Island years including 'may you never', 'solid air', 'over the hill', 'couldn't love you more' and his own unique covers of 'singin' in the rain' and 'over the rainbow'. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD | x3","offer_id":50491126710603,"sku":"311499","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/MUS000488346_80c7b030_thumbnail_4096.webp?v=1727682307"},{"product_id":"solid-air-half-speed-mastering","title":"Solid Air - Half Speed Mastering","description":"\u003cp\u003eBy 1973, John Martyn - still at the tender age of 25 - had racked up five albums (two with then wife, Beverly). At the age of 17 his jazzy folk had caught the ear of Chris Blackwell of Island records and while he was a favourite on the club circuit prevalent in those far off days, he had yet to really define his sound. Solid Air changed all that for good. The real breakthrough in Martyn's sound had really come with the previous album, 'Bless The Weather'. The reasons were threefold: Firstly he'd joined forces with a man with whom he'd be linked for decades to come - ex-Pentangle bass player, Danny Thompson. Danny's double bass profundities were the perfect accompaniment to John's fine finger picking. The second was the adoption of the Echoplex tape delay machine as his weapon of choice when it came to laying down the smoky, fuzzy vibe that made Martyn such a smoker's choice in years to come. The third was his voice. Maybe by this point he'd done enough smoking (and drinking) to really let the slurry, laid back delivery kick in, but suddenly the combination of the modal picking and almost horizontal attitude made perfect sense. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbove all this was folk filtered through jazz. Take the inclusion of Tony Coe on sax throughout. His own slurred delivery was second to none (his was the sax on those Henry Mancini Pink Panther themes). Martyn, himself, was a fan of artists like Pharaoh Sanders, and it was this combined with the finest in British folk rock (most of Fairport Convention, including Richard Thompson, make an appearance here) that lifted 'Solid Air' above previous efforts. The album kicks off with Martyn's lament for close friend Nick Drake on the vibe and sax-assisted title track. On the way we get the bluegrass jauntiness of 'Over The Hill' (with its famously positive reference to Martyn's favourite pastimes); the voguishly pastoral 'Don't Want To Know', the Echoplex frenzy of his version of Skip James' 'Rather be The Devil', and the eerily mournful 'Man In The Station' (showing Martyn to be a master of the autobiographical soul-bearing that was to riddle his later album 'Grace And Danger'). Of course the one track that most remember here is May You Never - his paean to brotherly love that was to be a staple of every performance he's given since. Yes, it's a classic with not a note out of place.. And ably assisted by John Wood's late night production it's now firmly esconced in the hearts of chillers, smokers and music lovers the world over. Everyone needs a copy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Universal","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50520309301579,"sku":"402796","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1-john-martyn-solid-air-half-speed-master-edition_2f839ef6_thumbnail_4096.webp?v=1727982840"},{"product_id":"the-smiling-stranger-in-bremen-live-at-schauburg-1983","title":"The Smiling Stranger In Bremen - Live at Schauburg 1983","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Martyn's extraordinary talent rightly secures him a unique place in music. Emerging from the 1960's folk boom, John is without doubt one of the most progressive and influential artists. Guitarist, singer and songwriter, his inspirational and innovative music is evidenced in his extensive back catalogue of studio and live albums, each providing a fresh chapter in the evolution of his music. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The bearded musician from the north of Britain had obviously consumed a substantial quantity of rum and cola before beginning the concert... and with the help of further drinks musical energy was released, which made the evening a complete success... two impressive hours of most intense music.\" The Weser Courier, Bremen's largest daily newspaper, reported a day after John's concert at the club Schauburg in June 1983. No doubt about the rum, but John would have been apoplectic at the suggestion he was from the north of Britain! Although born in Surrey he was Scottish through and through, and fiercely proud of it! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks: Some People Are Crazy \/ Amsterdam \/ Solid Air \/ Sunday's Child \/ Couldn't Love You More \/ Bless The Weather \/ Sweet Little Mystery \/ Medley: Dealer \/ Outside In \/ The Easy Blues \/ Cocain \/ One Day Without You \/ May You Never \/ Could've Been Me \/ Root Love \/ One World \/ Lookin' On \/ Johnny Too Bad \/ Smiling Stranger\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mig Music","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50529249919307,"sku":"2006749","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/885513029027_ac38c5d9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728064834"},{"product_id":"one-world-2","title":"One World","description":"\u003cp\u003eReleased by Island Records in November 1977, One World is widely regarded as one of John Martyn's finest achievements and a pivotal album in his evolution from folk-based singer-songwriter to sonic innovator.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 180g vinyl re-issue faithfully replicates the original Island UK pressing including inner sleeve with lyrics, and features the original UK mix of the album.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Proper Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57611085807947,"sku":"R4487-9226","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7e679233-4607-8c3b-c8ab-1019b83eaaa3.jpg?v=1781777301"},{"product_id":"grace-and-danger","title":"Grace and Danger","description":"\u003cp\u003eReleased in October 1980, \u003cem\u003eGrace and Danger \u003c\/em\u003eis one of John Martyn's most personal and emotionally revealing albums. This 180g vinyl re-issue faithfully replicates the original Island UK pressing\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Proper Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57611093770571,"sku":"R7578-0894","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/64a73ad8-31f7-af8c-a12e-f1a257569f3e.jpg?v=1781777546"},{"product_id":"live-in-london-the-camden-palace-1984","title":"Live In London - The Camden Palace 1984","description":"\u003cp\u003eA welcome new edition of \u003cb\u003eJohn Martyn\u003c\/b\u003e's November 1984 performance at The Camden Palace, capturing him in superb form. This release includes a CD with a fresh mix from the original multi-track tapes, plus two previously unreleased songs, \u003ci\u003eJohnny Too Bad\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLet Me In\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally filmed for the television series \u003ci\u003eLive In London\u003c\/i\u003e, the set came as \u003cb\u003eJohn Martyn\u003c\/b\u003e was touring behind \u003ci\u003eSapphire\u003c\/i\u003e. 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