John Martyn was born in Glasgow in 1948 and started playing guitar in 1967. Within a short time he had established a reputation on the folk-club circuit and soon after that was making his first album for Island Records.

During the seventies he released several critically acclaimed albums including 'Stormbringer' and 'The Road To Ruin'. It wasn't until 1971's 'Bless The Weather' that Martyn explored more thoroughly the jazz influences that had been creeping into his work together with long-standing friend and musical partner Danny Thompson. The album 'Solid Air', built around repetitive hypnotic melodies and heavy use of electronic effects, conslidated this work further until the album 'One World' (1977) which remains the definitive statement.

In 1975 Martyn released a homespun album in limited quantities using mail order. 'Live At Leeds' has now been restored to CD with bonus tracks featuring the late Paul Kossoff.

The CD 'Sweet Certain Surprise' captures Martyn in early 1977 in the USA in an acoustic setting soon to be overtaken by a full-band electric approach.

Martyn continued to work with partner Danny Thompson through the eighties, especially in the USA. The Voiceprint series of releases feature many of John Martyn's live performances during this period, including the UK (1982-3),(1986), Germany (1986), UK (1986, 1991).

Characterised by a passionate gruff drawl  and charismatic stage presence, John Martyn has a devoted legion of fans and rings every last emotion from his songs which explore the excesses as well as the pleasures of human life.

JOHN MARTYN

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