John Martyn: Some People Are Crazy
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Books and Miscellaneous Reviews
Forum Description: Reviews of prog books, memorabilia, etc.
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50472
Printed Date: November 23 2024 at 18:06
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Topic: John Martyn: Some People Are Crazy
Posted By: Dick Heath
Subject: John Martyn: Some People Are Crazy
Date Posted: July 26 2008 at 13:20
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Subtitled "The John Martyn Story", this 200 or so pager was easy reading during my travels to Switzerland and back earlier this week. The combination of HMV's discounted price, believing the quote from the Independent: "One of the music books of the year" and some curiosity about the man, had me buy the biography. If it was one of the books of the year, then it doesn't hold up against Andy Summers autobiography. Written by a fan of Martyn, allowed time with Martyn and access to many friends, but turned away by those (unnamed for the most part) who would rather not contribute, we get a rather dry chronological retelling of Martyn's life, sectioned by chapters relating to some major LP release (chapter titles often taken from a line in a song). However, in his favour the author John Neil Munro, is not guilty of gushing fanzine prose. There are attempts to explain the various interrelationships that come and go out of Martyn's life - e.g. with his ex wives, Nick Drake, Danny Thompson, the booze/drugs, etc. but too often I felt the author was scratching the surface on the basis of not knowing enough or not wanting to risk being too judgemental. Beware the appendices, e.g. listing gigs are far from complete. I came away from the book thinking I don't really like John Martyn the person from what details were provided (but I also came away from George Harrison's biography Dark Horse, also liking the man less). Summary: a quick and easy read of an outline biography, which won't demand too much of the reader. I've read many better and more that are far worse. More a book for those who are already fans of Martyn's music, than one for those who have a sneaking curosity but need some reasons for buying into Martyn's music. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Replies:
Posted By: Alberto Muñoz
Date Posted: October 28 2008 at 16:06
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Seems good... when i can buy it?? -------------  |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: October 28 2008 at 16:15
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As for that issue - has he ever been considered for an addition? At least his live performances are proggy enough for my taste and understanding ... ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: October 30 2008 at 06:04
From Mexico, I don't know - unless your local Amazon(???) imports books from the UK? Otherwise try HMV 'sown site, or AMazon.UK. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
zafreth wrote:Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: November 21 2008 at 09:19
'm always thinking about him and inclusion on thios site. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: December 10 2008 at 11:43
This will get my support - I was a fan of him in the 90s  ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: December 12 2008 at 04:39
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Hi Dick, do you have a ISBN number and the publisher's name handy????
To read your review, it doesn't sound all that great, but Martyn is of great interest for me, so I'll probably order it from Brussels' Watersone bookshop, cos I don't suppose they'll be many other books about him!! ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: December 12 2008 at 11:31
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Some-People-Are-Crazy-Martyn/dp/184697058X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229103041&sr=8-1 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Some-People-Are-Crazy-Martyn/dp/184697058X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229103041&sr=8-1
Should provide details you require of the paperback - Amazon.Uk have the hardback listed as well. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Lost Follower
Date Posted: December 13 2008 at 17:37
| I saw John Martyn in Cambridge a few weeks back. He was ace. And really drunk :) |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: December 15 2008 at 11:28
Thanks
 ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: September 12 2009 at 11:20
Has anyone ever followed up on this? ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 12 2009 at 15:15
------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: September 12 2009 at 15:36
 Then let us go for it!------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: September 13 2009 at 03:09
 ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: September 17 2009 at 19:32
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Actually, I have bad been working on this but his death got me to to relisten to his stuff....
I got depressed about his death and can'ty seem to bring myself to go on ahead with his inclusionµ
The more I listen to his works, the less I think it should go into prog folk, but somewhere else.... any ideas???? ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Alberto Muñoz
Date Posted: September 17 2009 at 19:50
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Crossover look suitable ------------- |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 17 2009 at 22:07
 ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: September 18 2009 at 18:39
but from stormbringer onwards, he's quite eclectic (I think it's better than crossover even if this one isn't bad either), than his most adventurous albums (Weather, Inside Out and Solid air), I think he's more jazz (JR/F) than anything else. Later albums (One World , G&D) are more of crossover again.... ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 18 2009 at 22:14
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^ Know what you mean
Prog folk
Eclectic
Crossover
P-R
....in that order of preference
Not really too concerned where but would be nice to see him on board ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: September 19 2009 at 07:20
------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: September 20 2009 at 01:28
So start working, you lazy....  It's not that hard to move him aftwards if the other 6 billion inhabitants of the planet (or the fraction that knows John Martyn) sees the need.
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 22:15
I would be happy to add him...if I knew he was approved and which category ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: September 22 2009 at 04:27
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Same here - in case you need a hand. As I wrote before, if he's added in PF - we can always move him if he fits better elsewhere.
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: September 22 2009 at 19:41
It shouldn't be too much longer before I find the time.... ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: September 23 2009 at 02:49
... checking up my collection ...------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Adams Bolero
Date Posted: October 16 2009 at 09:34
| It's been nearly a month since Sean Trane said he was nearly ready to add John Martyn. Prog Archives needs him so I hope he will be added soon. |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: October 16 2009 at 18:35
Plus a girlfriend and a job.  ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: October 17 2009 at 00:15
Whenever will be more than satisfactory  ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Adams Bolero
Date Posted: October 17 2009 at 07:51
I don't want to add any unnecessary work on you: Anytime in the next 10 years will do. |
I will never again underestimate the tireless work of special collaborators here on Prog Archives.
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: October 17 2009 at 09:18
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This was solved way to quick, I was just getting ready to sit back and watch the fight with the popcorn emoticon... ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: October 21 2009 at 05:31
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How about this? I open up the entry page (I'm finished his bio, and I can let you choose a picture and a site address) and you are all entering the albums .... ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: October 21 2009 at 06:14
 ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: October 22 2009 at 12:07
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have fun
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4939 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4939 ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: October 22 2009 at 15:59
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excellent, Hugues ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Alberto Muñoz
Date Posted: October 26 2009 at 19:57
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I have read the Reiew of One World of Hugues (Great Work BTW) and i like so much, Hugues really transmit the "end of and era" in his review. Poor guy (John Martyn) i read that he recorded with Phil Collins the Grace and Danger album, and he was being divorced, but also Collins too!! I wonder how they seems two divorced musicians in the studio, as i divorced guy (my first marriage, i know that sort of fellings). Great work Hugues. ------------- |
Posted By: Alberto Muñoz
Date Posted: October 26 2009 at 21:39
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