John Martyn -InsideOut 1981

[@TheIkaraCult]

theres never been anyone like him, a true one off

[@kevinogadhra5924]

Accoustic guitar like no other, fabulous! John Martyn has provided the soundtrack to my life since the 1970's and he always will.

[@joannebeauchamp1169]

John’s guitar playing is simply STUNNING!!!

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

Yeah he’s in top form here. Captivating stuff

[@ianmcgeachy]

It's my pleasure to share this- my favourite JM videoed performance- I also saw him live quite a few times, though only in the 70s and 80s in the UK. But- we can all still see him perform thanks to DVDs and so on and listen to his music. - all the best. ian

[@peteperry5712]

Master of the Echoplex.

[@jesseperrett3692]

Incredible footage of an incredible man. I shook his hand twice.!😃

[@HGPTW]

Oh my word, this is just fantastic - John at his best, just as I remember him the one time I saw him live (1978)!

[@davebellamy4867]

A legend on that guitar!

[@rimmerd9908]

I've seen this man live twice. Both times in the 1980's and i'd rather have said i'd missed Jimi than missing this gig. During a time in musical history where we have become the McDonalds of the music industry, this is a nice reminder of what we had and what could have been. Rock on John and thanks for all the deep emotional stuff that is so hard to find these days..

[@sambrookesmusic]

This is fecking Rad! Thanks for sharing, Big JM fan here

[@ShaneMac888]

Five Diamonds fot this***** I was lucky enough to see him live a couple of times:) Thanks for the post. Shane

[@MusicInTheRawLive]

+ianmcgeachy. The guitar tuning is actually CGCFGC. Same intonation as DADGAD but one tone lower.

[@ianmcgeachy]

Well this was the BBC studios of course (back in 81 Alexandra Palace?). I recall (see below comment to bunilvr) this actually coming on TV ('A little NIght Music')- BBC2 at the time. But if anyone would have had the audacity to have chain smoked ganja in a BBC studio it would probably have been this bloke (with Keef' Richards a second option)! Glad you like this-Ian

[@ianmcgeachy]

I think I do know. Jeff Allen -drums, Danny Cummings (percussion), Alan Thomson (bass), and the then famous keyboards session player Max Middleton. Alan Thomson played with John on and off for many years- up to his last performances I think.

[@davebellamy4867]

I wondered if that was Max Middleton. I also was suspicious of that left handed drum kit at 0:55

[@HenryGray7401]

simply exquisite 🎤 🎸

[@ianmcgeachy]

Glad you like this Julie, it's a real favourite of mine of him. Fantastic song/piece and John showing his guitar ability -unusual for him at that time. I remember in '81 rushing for my trusty beetamax videorecorder controls -(good decision eh by me on format!!(not)) -one night when this came on national TV in the UK -only got last half of it though...luckily later in life got the In Vision videotape with this song- that tape is like gold-dust now. Merry Christmas to you! enjoy! -ian

[@muhammudghulaamyaseen865]

One of the most underated geniuses of all time. All the greatest played with him. Not him with them.

[@dannygillan5689]

Just got to have my regular diet of what for me, is the finest clipnof JM on youtube. The big man doing what he alone can only do and well, showing off in his own en imitable style! Rock on Johnny boy!

[@Branton48]

Miss you Johnny Boy. Glad I had that drink and puff with you. Real down to earth man.

[@MrDoobie28]

Hmnn-can remember seeing this on 'A little night music' way back in 81-think it came from BBC Bristol. Always have loved this guy and his music. Seen him live many times. Last time at Albert Hall 16 April 2007-he was wheeled onto the stage in his wheelchair. My 9 year old daughter preferred the support act !! Met him after 81 on a flight from Edinburgh to Gatwick. Nobody else recognised him on the plane. Was reading 'To Kill A Mockingbird' and he autograped the book for me.What a great guy !

[@pologallan7809]

This was the first time I saw John, Birmingham Odeon ‘81 and met him briefly after. An indelible experience musically and spiritually. His last outing with the echoplex. Much as I love Max Middletons work, its unnecessary here as is congas, but Johns sound is wonderful as ever. The audacity of the suit jacket without shirt!

[@StoneCrowUK]

awesome!

[@LiteGauge]

Magic Thanks Ian

[@brucemorton245]

Sublime

[@buniluvr]

Pure heaven! I would love to find a copy of this. Thank you Ian for posting. I'll be here all day :) cheers my friend julie

[@tonyoyecart7267]

Great posting, amazing how so many wee gems keep turning up." lang mo yir bum squeak"

[@UFOIST]

Flawless!

[@beetle5908]

29th jan,1year on,just lit a j,master of the fervent groove.

[@ianmcgeachy]

you're very welcome, and those John Martyn memories- savour them, they're precious. -ian

[@kennyblackbird5674]

I've heard of and listened to guys like Steve Hillage but I've never heard of John Martyn until today.

[@davidlewis4264]

Hi Kenny. You have come across real talent. He was like nobody else...

[@davidfarmer9535]

WONDERFUL,....NEVER HEARD THIS VERSION BEFORE,........UNIQUE

[@davebellamy4867]

Minimoog. Oberheim SEM. Old SSM Sequential Prophet-5. Can hardly get better.

[@davebellamy4867]

Who's on keyboards? This is around the time just before Glorious Fool so is it Max Middleton? Minimoog, Prophet-5 and Oberheim SEM. Nice.

[@MrDoobie28]

Ian--I take it as a great honour my comments are right at the top !! I think John is looking down at both of us--smiling. Sorry you never got to meet him. For me , it was an absolute fluke being on the same plane as him--he told me he was going to Montreux . And nobody else on the plane knew who he was .

[@peteperry5712]

John and Alan at their very best.

[@grahamlee4144]

JM In the Zone. Nothing finer.

[@yogaman4628]

Hi 'Ian', I have the full video that this clip was taken from, recorded at the time of airing. I did a VHS transfer recently - the audio is good and video too. As you are such a fan I would happily donate the complete recording to your site. Please advise how best to get the file to you, if you are interested (345MB). The broadcast programme video was entitled One World and features these songs: One World, Johnny Too Bad, May You Never, Outside In/Inside Out and finishes with Hurt in Your Heart - runtime just over 28 minutes. Of course I could start my own KZbin channel but as you have so much great material here, it seems the best place for it.

[@davebellamy4867]

There is a suspiciously left handed drum kit at 0:55 and 8:44

[@slipperman6770]

Ian..Your right this is F.....Phenomenal !!!!!!!!! Too bad Phil Collins didn't tour with john on Glorious fools Tour!!!

[@davebellamy4867]

I noticed his drummer was still playing a left handed kit though.

[@ianmcgeachy]

I think this piece (Outside In-aka Inside Out) is like a musical Paella..some characteristic things in there, and, like a Jazz piece-he improvised around those things to give a different performance/version each time he played. This must've been one of first times he did this with a band I reckon. I didn't mind this early band or his band versions with Cozens tho' I also preferred him solo or with Danny T (like most I suppose).

[@ianmcgeachy]

@copperfield3629 Yes, its was 'Max the Hat' as they called him then. Myself, I love this, tho the extensive keyboards while well done, may be a bit over the top at times 'noodlin'. I love JMs guitar and vox on this.

[@copperfield3629]

A lovely rendition indeed. Love Max's playing, most especially on the Fender Rhodes. His work on Jeff Beck's "Blow by Blow" is absolutely impeccable.

[@ianmcgeachy]

@StoneCrowUK Aye- I know what you mean. Actually I had probs uploading initially when I did try uploading one fair bigger size than this. One of things though- this was taken already from a 'not good quality' VHS tape and its hard to improve 'much' on the quality. I'll maybe have another go though. I did try to cajole someone to upload from a better quality tape than mine- that doesnt have the glitch in it (after about 3:30) that mine does where the sound also drops out slightly. Cheers.

[@MrDoobie28]

Tonight on BBC 4 at 11.35 John Martyn-Johnny Too Bad -a profile of the influential singer songwriter.

[@ianmcgeachy]

@MrDoobie28 Cheers squire..too bad BBC4 isnt on telly here in Oz!...thankfully I got mi mam to record this when it was shown just after his death 2 + years ago, and so I have a tape and a self made DVD of this. But thanks again- hopefuly some other fans have been alerted by your post anyway!- Ian

[@MbdslEst1964]

Its a custom job he had made. don't know who by but he still uses it!

[@ianmcgeachy]

@scratchy45 Yes ta v much for that, done that. Thats right, Orealis. But I didnt think of looking on itunes at all. Must do so now. Thanks very much for this. I wonder if anyones got any videos of Orealis for youtube upload ? - Ian

[@peterperry268]

Thx buddy. I thought at one time I knew Iain reasonably well, but when I quizzed him on sthg , he replied.."Tell them I'm somebody else"...lol. Please excuse my typo.:)

[@ianmcgeachy]

@MrDoobie28 Thing is about JM..everybody that knows of him seems to have met him (or women slept with him).. except just bloody me (met him that is, ahem). So I always envy -a wee bit - anybody that tells me these things, 'cos he is the ultimate, to me, musically, in terms of vocals, playing & composition being rolled all into one person...incredible sounds to me, still. I always loved this performance of his on BBC2 back in 81..still at the top of his game guitar wise & great vocals here.-Ian

[@davebellamy4867]

6:50 The percussionist looks like Tony Banks!🤣

[@Beardmondy67]

.. Fuckin' magic,.. Wizards never really die,..

[@ianmcgeachy]

You're most welcome Sir! Have a merry Christmas in that Emerald Isle anall' -ian

[@karmayogibear]

Great video. I've seen another track from this gig, Hurt In Your Heart, which is also amazing. Is there somewhere on KZbin, the whole recording, all the tracks from this performance? Where was this recorded?

[@krisscanlon4051]

He and Kevin Coyne have possessed me very soul I tell ya

[@trevorhoward2254]

Thank you, Ian, This is superb. Can you tell us who else is in the band?

[@luckymanc]

Grace & Danger tour??? I recognise the suit!

[@ianmcgeachy]

@peterperry268 Cheers. Yes I knew his real middle name was David, (though his first name was actually Iain -the double 'i' form). His vocals were esp great on this I reckon, out of all his 'band' versions of this one,

[@StoneCrowUK]

i have come back to watch this soo many times, since youtube is better now, is it possible for you to re-upload this so that we can have it with higher quality?

[@scratchy45]

Ian, I just sent a friend request, so I can give you the craic on Kirk. His band was called Orealis: Spencer & many other tunes are available on itunes.

[@roguealien423]

John Martyn meets Terry Riley?

[@MrDoobie28]

only problem is I cannot find the book !! Babes, are you there ?

[@ianmcgeachy]

Hello there Jim, I found out a while back that videos can be posted up to 10min59s...when I posted the shes a lover- solid air clip I had the problem of a long video there. Only prob here is theres a bit of a tape distortion just as he goes into the slow bit...maybe you dont have that? if so that would give a better videoclip. Also I cant easily make HD videoclips which this would benefit for for studying finger positions for guitar nuttas like thee and me. ps what tuning u think here? -ian

[@scratchy45]

Ian, are you related to himself? I had the honour of knowing Kirk McGeachy for many's the year here in Montreal, and I know he was a cousin of JM (& also did a great version of Spencer the Rover.) Cheers from Mtl, Patrick (Hutchinson)

[@ianmcgeachy]

@scratchy45 Alas, no. I took the username 3 days prior to JM dying, didnt post for quite a while, thought may be regarded as bad taste, at least too close to his passing. (But I do share the 1st name). In the JM bio' book, interesting about Kirk, & his comments there. Kirk was* a good player and perfomer himself, I have read (*sadly deceased also I believe?) 'JM' taught Kirk some guitar and Kirk had some very early tape recordings of JM. I'd Love to hear Kirks Sp the Rover-any tapes? Cheers, Ian

[@peterperry268]

In fact its Ian David McGeachy fyi ...

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

Any bass players out there recognize what kind of bass Alan Thomson is playing here? It sounds amazing.

[@markforrest5599]

icecreamforcrowhurst my (un)educated would be a Wal (?)...has a bit of that Percy Jones/Mick Karn vibe...agreed - very attractive sound...cool username, by the way...

[@EnglishSommKevinPardoe]

Wal Bass. Geddy Lee, Mick Karn, Percy Jones etc.

[@davebellamy4867]

He's a stellar bass playe.

[@orvpibbs2905]

Performance is excellent, although the keyboardist looks like he is about to go fishing with that hat

[@davebellamy4867]

🤣😅😂

[@mrc5653]

John was a different gravy he didn’t follow anyone that’s for sure

[@peterperry268]

Of course this was bleedin frantic, he'd finally got shut of Bev and Big Muff...

[@matshanssen2070]

Terrible sound! Get real!