I just found out via Jigtime that John Martyn passed away. He’s an artist I’d almost forgotten about, I had one of his albums years ago when I was in college in Dublin. Somewhere along the line I lost or misplaced it and never replaced it. I’d always meant to replace it and get to know his music better, and he was a great musician to see live. I’m annoyed at myself for not knowing his music better.
Sometimes John Martyn’s style reminds me a bit of Chris Rea, but with a more bluey bent and with the humming double-bass, other times just so ethereal. His early stuff was almost very traditional folk music (which I’m not familiar with). Here’s John live in Dublin in 1987, singing “Sweet Little Mysteries”:
And an interview with him last year, in 2008:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkcmB8a1cn8
I’m sad that I never got to see him live, and I hope he’s enjoying the sweet little mysteries where ever he is.