John Martyn biography: Small Hours - The Long Night Of John Martyn published by Omnibus Press

Published by Omnibus Press on July 9th, Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn by Graeme Thomson is an intimate and unflinching biography of one of the great maverick artists. The definitive study of a unique figure Small Hours draws on almost 100 new interviews. As well as his own meetings with the man himself Thomson speaks to Martyn’s children, family, former wives, lovers, old friends and close collaborators including Richard Thompson, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Joe Boyd, Chris Blackwell and Linda Thompson. The result is a raw and gripping account of sixty years of daredevil creativity, soaring highs and sometimes unconscionable lows.
 
Although he never had a hit single Martyn’s extraordinary voice, innovative guitar playing and profoundly soulful songs secured his status as a pioneer. Covered by Eric Clapton, revered by Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and produced by Phil Collins, he influenced several generations of musicians.
 
Born Ian McGeachy in 1948, Martyn first found a foothold in the British folk scene of the Sixties. On stage, he performed with dazzling dexterity, spontaneity and intensity. His echoplexed guitar evoked both hushed tranquillity and divine rage while his voice possessed the tonal complexity of a new instrument: hazy, honeyed and barbed around the edges. His music evolved to incorporate elements of spiritual jazz, reverberating blues, smooth soul and skeletal dub. During a decade of continuous innovation, Martyn made two records with his first wife Beverley and released a series of bold, unclassifiable albums including the critically lauded Bless The Weather, Solid Air and Grace And Danger. 
 
Beneath the music lay a complicated and volatile personality. Martyn lived his life the same way he made music - improvising as he went, scattering brilliance, beauty, rage and destruction in his wake. He lost a leg in 2003 and died in January 2009, shortly after being honoured with an OBE.
 
Mapping the groundbreaking music to the unrepentant life, Small Hours is a rich and revelatory portrait of a man bestowed with bountiful gifts and fearsome contradictions.
 
Small Hours:  The Long Night of John Martyn
 
Graeme Thomson

Published 9th July

ISBN: 9781787600195

Preorder HERE

 
 
“No other artist sounded like John Martyn... Did any musician in the Seventies fly so free as Martyn did on Solid Air, Inside Out and One World? Did any fall so far?” 
Graeme Thomson