Jackhammer Stripped

storymilo · 09-07-2009, 02:34 PM

I'm really looking forward to the rest of this thread, as you mentioned people mostly seem to focus on albums or songs rather than artists.

I'm not really an Iron Maiden fan but its probably just my natural dislike towards most metal that's holding me back.

Mojo · 09-07-2009, 05:17 PM

Powerslave is a fine record. Flash of the Blade is one of their really overlooked tracks I feel.

jackhammer · 09-08-2009, 01:29 PM

I'm ecstatic at the responses on here. A new band will be up in a couple of days.

jackhammer · 09-08-2009, 05:25 PM

John Martyn

Fanboys. They annoy the hell out of me but guess what? I am a fanboy. I have constantly eulogised about this man to the point of becoming utterly annoying but I just cannot help myself.

In the summer of 1998 I heard a chillout remix of him for the first time and I was immediately transfixed by his voice. After reading up a little on the man I bought his 'classic' album 'Solid Air' and was smitten.

John Martyn is an artist that has encompassed Folk, Blues, Funk, Soul, Trip Hop and Jazz into a highly personal and individual sound. His first album was recorded at the age of 19 in 3 days and was highly welcomed in folk circles but even by his 3rd album he was experimenting with new sounds and techniques. This is not to say that he was on the cutting edge of music at all. It was more of a pointer to the man behind the music. A bear of a man at 6'4" and 200 pounds with an already notorious propensity for alcohol, he almost always appeared on stage already pissed up. This in itself is nothing new within music but the juxtaposition between his own personality and deeply personal stage shows makes for fascinating listening and an endearing and honest approach to music that is always refreshing.

He formed a musical relationship with the double Bass player Danny Thompson (himself a notorious hellraiser) in the early 70's that survived at various times until Martyn's death Jan 2009. This relationship was one of the most symbiotic in music and produced some absolutely incredibley honest and poignant music that must have been almost spiritual to witness live.

Martyn is one of the few artists I have heard that pours every single part of his being and emotion into his music without ever falling into sentimental claptrap and banality.

Each and every year I fall deeper under his spell of searingly honest and heartfelt music. This is a guy who wrote a whole album to his ex wife begging for one more chance, even knowing that his huge personality would still dwarf their love.

Everyone has an emotional connection to music but very very few artists physically choke me up whilst simultaneously confirming the cathartic value of music and the power of a few struck chords.

I may seem to be over praising Martyn to the point of martyrdom (he died of a massive attack earlier this year and had to perform in a wheelchair in his last few years) but his music and lyrics provide me with one of the rare instances of music being much more than the sum of it's parts.

By far my favourite solo artist and probably the only man ever to bring me to tears solely through his music.

Recommended albums:

Bless The Weather (1971)
One World (1977)
On The Cobbles (2004)

DVD:
John Martyn at the BBC.

His brilliant acoustic-electric use of guitar:

His work with Danny Thompson:

John Martyn stripped bare:

R.I.P

music_phantom13 · 09-10-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Fanboys. They annoy the hell out of me but guess what? I am a fanboy.

*CouFatFreddy'sDropugh* :p Man I need to quit smoking.

Great thread by the way, I like the personal stories you tell. I'm getting some John Martyn at home as I type this which I look forward to hearing after work. I think someone else wrote about him on here, or I'm completely making that up, but you're review has inspired me to check out his stuff. Ah and Iron Maiden... they, along with Slayer, were my introduction to metal.

storymilo · 09-08-2009, 06:54 PM

Wow I have never even heard of him... but great write-up, I'll be sure to check him out

zeppy111 · 09-08-2009, 10:24 PM

Amazing write-up, amazing man, amazing music.

I only heard of John Martyn afrer joining MB and now have 3 albums. Solid Air, Bless The weather and A live album (Not too sure where now) and there is not one dull moment or average song on them.

R.I.P

Astronomer · 09-09-2009, 01:44 AM

Ha, you are definitely a John Martyn fanboy! The amount of times you've mentioned to me and linked me to vids...

That being said, this guy is pretty amazing. He definitely wears his heart on his sleeve and from what I've heard his stuff is very emotional. I need to grab some albums.

Great journal entry and a fitting tribute.

Mojo · 09-09-2009, 03:56 AM

I've only ever heard his first two albums, none of the ones you singled out to listen to in that post. I will investigate.

Guybrush · 09-09-2009, 05:50 AM

Great reads, Lee! I love the personal touch and stories behind them

Of course I already know Maiden and Martyn. Iron Maiden was, as they were to so many others, an entrypoint for into 80s metal. As you know, I didn't listen to John Martyn until after his recent death ..

Anyways .. Looking forward to Kate Bush

09-07-2009, 05:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	Powerslave is a fine record. Flash of the Blade is one of their really overlooked tracks I feel. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

09-08-2009, 01:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I'm ecstatic at the responses on here. A new band will be up in a couple of days. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

09-08-2009, 05:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	John Martyn Fanboys. They annoy the hell out of me but guess what? I am a fanboy. I have constantly eulogised about this man to the point of becoming utterly annoying but I just cannot help myself. In the summer of 1998 I heard a chillout remix of him for the first time and I was immediately transfixed by his voice. After reading up a little on the man I bought his 'classic' album 'Solid Air' and was smitten. John Martyn is an artist that has encompassed Folk, Blues, Funk, Soul, Trip Hop and Jazz into a highly personal and individual sound. His first album was recorded at the age of 19 in 3 days and was highly welcomed in folk circles but even by his 3rd album he was experimenting with new sounds and techniques. This is not to say that he was on the cutting edge of music at all. It was more of a pointer to the man behind the music. A bear of a man at 6'4" and 200 pounds with an already notorious propensity for alcohol, he almost always appeared on stage already pissed up. This in itself is nothing new within music but the juxtaposition between his own personality and deeply personal stage shows makes for fascinating listening and an endearing and honest approach to music that is always refreshing. He formed a musical relationship with the double Bass player Danny Thompson (himself a notorious hellraiser) in the early 70's that survived at various times until Martyn's death Jan 2009. This relationship was one of the most symbiotic in music and produced some absolutely incredibley honest and poignant music that must have been almost spiritual to witness live. Martyn is one of the few artists I have heard that pours every single part of his being and emotion into his music without ever falling into sentimental claptrap and banality. Each and every year I fall deeper under his spell of searingly honest and heartfelt music. This is a guy who wrote a whole album to his ex wife begging for one more chance, even knowing that his huge personality would still dwarf their love. Everyone has an emotional connection to music but very very few artists physically choke me up whilst simultaneously confirming the cathartic value of music and the power of a few struck chords. I may seem to be over praising Martyn to the point of martyrdom (he died of a massive attack earlier this year and had to perform in a wheelchair in his last few years) but his music and lyrics provide me with one of the rare instances of music being much more than the sum of it's parts. By far my favourite solo artist and probably the only man ever to bring me to tears solely through his music. Recommended albums: Bless The Weather (1971) One World (1977) On The Cobbles (2004) DVD: John Martyn at the BBC. His brilliant acoustic-electric use of guitar: His work with Danny Thompson: John Martyn stripped bare: R.I.P __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

09-08-2009, 10:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
zeppy111 16, so? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 630	Amazing write-up, amazing man, amazing music. I only heard of John Martyn afrer joining MB and now have 3 albums. Solid Air, Bless The weather and A live album (Not too sure where now) and there is not one dull moment or average song on them. R.I.P __________________ My Blog (album of the day): http://musicfromthesouth.blogspot.com

09-09-2009, 01:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Ha, you are definitely a John Martyn fanboy! The amount of times you've mentioned to me and linked me to vids... That being said, this guy is pretty amazing. He definitely wears his heart on his sleeve and from what I've heard his stuff is very emotional. I need to grab some albums. Great journal entry and a fitting tribute. __________________

09-07-2009, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	I'm really looking forward to the rest of this thread, as you mentioned people mostly seem to focus on albums or songs rather than artists. I'm not really an Iron Maiden fan but its probably just my natural dislike towards most metal that's holding me back.

09-08-2009, 06:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	Wow I have never even heard of him... but great write-up, I'll be sure to check him out

09-09-2009, 03:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	I've only ever heard his first two albums, none of the ones you singled out to listen to in that post. I will investigate. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

09-09-2009, 05:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Great reads, Lee! I love the personal touch and stories behind them Of course I already know Maiden and Martyn. Iron Maiden was, as they were to so many others, an entrypoint for into 80s metal. As you know, I didn't listen to John Martyn until after his recent death .. Anyways .. Looking forward to Kate Bush __________________ Something Completely Different