Search - John Martyn :: Live

John has been singing and using his voice as another instrument for many years. John's pronunciation is reminiscent of that of an educated palette tasting a fine wine. He doesn't so much sing the words as caress them and roll them around his mouth before delivering them in his own unique way. A captivating voice of effortless charm, love and sensuality that is also capable of explosive anger, jealousy and hate. With Trip-Hop taking the music scene by storm John released And in 1996 and yet again was at the epicenter of the latest musical storm, so bolt the doors and secure the windows for this 'twister' of a gig in Carlisle on 5th April 1996, a tremendous recording a few months before the release of And. John is suited and booted, sporting cool shades and hair extensions. The band is the ever-present Spencer Cozens on keyboards and Alan Thompson on bass guitar, Karl van den Bossche on drums and percussion, and the late Gerry Underwood on saxophone. Karl van den Bossche has worked with The Brand New Heavies, Des'ree, and Sade and has also performed with Robert Palmer. Karl plays congas, drums and assorted percussion. John and his band perform five new songs from And, some old favourites and two cover songs, Rock Salt and Nails and Yes We Can. The folk artist and singer/story teller Utah Phillips wrote Rock Salt and Nails. John's vocals are engagingly honest and cool with just a hint of anger. The raw edged guitar driven Step It Up and Carmine have kicking riffs that tingle the hairs on the back of your neck as John wields his Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and contrast with the sexy and seductive She's A Lover/Solid Air - aural sex for all ages! John punctuates the beginning of Sunshine's Better with a mischievous boyish laugh at his own expense as he mixes up Daddy and Sugar in the lyrics. Bonus songs from 1986 are included for your listening pleasure; Serendipity, Lookin' On, Angeline, One World and Over The Rainbow. Angeline, a song John wrote for his then wife Annie, and Serendipity originally appeared on John's studio album from the same year Piece By Piece and whilst in the process of being written were known as Franklin and Whistles respectively! And Live commands your attention, keeping you on the edge of your seat so turn up the volume and enjoy the storm!