John Martyn - Solid Air (1978)

[@igorlfmagalhaesmagalhaes7126]

I am 29, just discovered john martyn! God bless you all!!

[@TimTechTools]

Mate, I'm 44 and I've just discovered this track 🙂

[@Jasper-or7ui]

I'm 27 and just discovered him through a friend

[@lilylodon]

@@Jasper-or7uiyou guys need to explore his library ❤

[@davidderbes9175]

@@Jasper-or7ui Regrettably, it is no longer available, but the Island LP "So Far, So Good" is a wonderful collection. The three albums "Solid Air", "Bless the Weather", and "Outside In" are just fabulous.

[@rosedragon]

55 and just discovered him loooove his music ❤

[@nigelsouthworth5577]

It's a song about Nick Drake and anyone who has been there in depression or a nervous collapse.

[@suziwong7478]

True story 🙏

[@emmapenny8708]

True I spent my childhood with John now I understand my dad

[@mrc5653]

John was from another planet ,this is absolutely amazing from humour into the zone

[@thewoodentops.]

thats how he rolled. I think he was always a nervous performer so the humour was a cover. There wasn't anyone else like him, so nobody to compare himself to.

[@NorthernLycanthrope]

​@thewoodentops. Absolutely one of a kind and genuine. My Dad got to see him live a fee times. His mate caught his joint he three out apparently. Beautiful music

[@dalewatson5613]

Wipes his tears away at the end, so sad. I hope him and Nick are up there now, jamming away

[@youextra789]

I love that comment!

[@isaacarguelles2012]

Well, either that or just sweat lol. Let's keep it with tears though :)

[@Maynard0504]

pretty sure that's sweat

[@excession30]

@@Maynard0504 It is. The guy sweat like a piece of pig iron, with all the chemicals he had running through his system.

[@rk41gator]

I can believe I see a glimpse of what Phil Collins saw in his friend. Phil said John was the best songwriter he knew. I understand they helped each other through the difficult divorces they had at that time. This song reveals a lot of depth and pain in his soul. Imagine the conversations the two may have had.

[@MartyMoriarty]

Are you mad?? this effer and Collins were pricks!! Th "deep" song is about Nick Drake, so f@ck off and grow a brain!

[@paddas1612]

Sadly, understand alcohol may have helped 🍾🥂🍺🍻🥃🍷🍸🍹

[@rk41gator]

@@paddas1612 Helped? Definitely hurt, but I know what you mean. They both had issues with alcohol. John more than Phil, but each abused the substance at just the wrong times. In the late '70s, I am sure they were crying in their beer. Along with Eric Clapton who introduce them. LOL

[@paddas1612]

@@rk41gator Deffo, but all great musicians

[@HavendaleBlvd80]

I am only discovering this mans music for the first time. What a talent.

[@cloudsculptor1]

YOU are in for such a treat mate 🤪👌

[@mick9461]

Effortlessly cool Talented beyond words Pure emotion in his voice The best.

[@alipeace1925]

Hi. Yeah he still cried 30+years after his painful divorce whilst singing a track from Grace and Danger. I bet you could probably tell me the track lol. I not telling you anything you don't already know. Keep loving Mr Martyn it'll last you a lifetime . Light and Peace

[@seankeating8559]

He really was a genius. A complicated artist. A one of a kind musician and wordsmith the likes of which the world won't see again soon.

[@FreeBrunoPowroznik]

Those vocals are ferocious!!

[@bottlebrushmedia]

THis song. This man and Nick Drake changed my life in so many ways for the better. Beautiful!

[@zannrodgers8991]

Me too, found out about them both in the 90's 👌

[@SpencerRover73]

​@@zannrodgers8991Also, l had the chance to discover them at the beginning of the 70's. They have accompanied my whole life.

[@chamico]

This version is amazing. I think he tries to conceal the emotions about his friend Drake, making jokes and all, but then you can feel the love in his performance

[@Purelotus689]

The most emotional man ever ,he's real back in days very rare concealed in drink ,I don't care what a talented wonderful man ❤ you're right he loved him

[@Purelotus689]

What a song

[@austindecaux7895]

This is the only version I listen to, and for that very reason. I had a similar situation with a friend and this song helps me get through hard times when I am thinking of him. Martyn's a Legend! ❤️

[@craiglizt8074]

Well said and I agree...he uses a bit of comedy as mask here

[@rk41gator]

It is hard to see a friend in pain knowing there is little you can do to help.....especially when filled with so much empathy.

[@alfamaleUK68]

He reached out to Nick, but sadly we lost him,.....we can only be blessed his music is still here today..... love you man

[@petersmith9530]

Lucky enough to see him play many times.

[@paulyboy2311]

This album got my pal through 9 years of prison time.N/W uk.

[@patriciaroberts100]

John, you were a great creative. A man of excess. A man of lyrical mastery. I miss you. X

[@hrtdinasaurette3020]

Just lost a dear friend who’s been living on solid air for sometime now. Came straight here. Thank you so much for this upload ❤

[@danjonesdj]

Always loved the bit at 6:14 where he seems to remember the depth of what he's singing. You can see the emotion hit him.

[@padawansound6423]

Yes, I've always noticed that part. Playing the absolute life out of that guitar for Nick.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Some people are great guitar players, others are great performers. John is one of the few who was both. I will keep coming back to listen to this over & over, it is simply one of the best pieces of musical film of all time.

[@scotland5370]

What a vocal performance and unique guitarist and songsmith. At thetop of his game at this period. Blew himself out like many but what an interesting character.

[@peterfreeman6677]

This is from John's 17th March 1978 concert at the Audimax in Hamburg (some YT videos say it's Bremen. Whatever.) Broadcast on 17th June by WDR (German television) in the Rockpalast series.

[@mikeking5435]

I was lucky enough to see John live in his later years. The most amazing vocal performance ever. His voice was unique and such a character. His like shall not pass this way again

[@thomscott1247]

Great performance but where is that Scottish accent !

[@dereknezza-ru2hr]

He was a mug blood.

[@markwilliams3174]

John Martyn uses his vocal delivery like a Lester Young tenor saxophone solo.

[@MrRegmaker]

I wrote this in tribute to Nick Drake a while back … Tell me, has anybody seen Mr. Ned Dean? Can you see the guitar ghost? In the corner, he does strum And can you see him raise a toast? While at your nose you do thumb When he was around, you'd never phone Now he's back to play to you alone ... And can you see those long fingers linger? With them, long life he brings With each pluck of those strings A sound that forever sings A sound born on Angels' wings When he was around, you'd never phone Now he's back to play to you alone ... The song man suffered silenced by our abuse His voice only rediscovered once relieved by medicine's misuse Now we uncover the dark dunes of his magic, mystic mind Washed to shore by the sands of time See our ears like doubled-edged spears At once, unhearing All callous and cold Leaving the song man's stories untold Now they unfold Aching to hear more and more From the music man, we now all adore The song man suffered silenced by our abuse His voice only rediscovered once relieved by medicine's misuse Now we uncover the dark dunes of his magic, mystic mind Washed to shore by the sands of time Ah! But we should've known it from the start For the cover photos were always shot in one take, no false art And your music always drew on the deepest lyric lake Now we drown in your words for branding you a fake And in your poems, we now marvel at each prophecy you make If we'd listened as close first time round, maybe they'd have made a mistake And you'd still be around But instead only silence resounds From your gated grounds No new music to lead our lost generation homeward bound And we've all now seen Mr. Ned Dean ...

[@nektekket852]

This is why I started playing guitar.... Rest easy Johnny ❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏

[@elizabethhaworth6679]

This man breaks my heart and hurts my gut every time I hear him. It goes so deep. The love

[@wendycampbell5368]

Went to so many of his concerts in the late 70's ... Good times!

[@mick9461]

Without sounding weird, can you explain how the gigs were. Or how they felt at the time. I'm absolutely in awe of what you've seen ❤

[@gillesserrigny6324]

​​@@mick9461l don't know if anyone will have the talent to tell you the ambiance of a John Martyn concert. But, this video can give you a good idea. In the 70's, he played often in small or meduim concert halls, with between 300/600 people, only fans. The times were different, the public like John could afford certain liberties impossible now. And he had an incredible sense of humour. The most incredible was when he played in first part of great bands. Unknow for the majority, first booed but after two minutes he had the audience in his pocket. And for some bands, it was not easy to play after him.

[@mick9461]

Unbelievable mate. Sounds like an unforgettable moment in time.

[@paddas1612]

@@gillesserrigny6324 Absolutely Gill , certain liberties and sense of humour is just about right , but also remember he also had a bit of a temper when needed! 😘

[@gillesserrigny6324]

​@@paddas1612Absolutely 👌.

[@LexWilson]

2022. Shivers still

[@cyprescrow]

The best there is. No words... No words...... Incredible master........

[@whiteyfisk9769]

If you like songs with predictable lyrics

[@agnesgallois2066]

je vais pas essayer, l'air solide on n'y est pas encore, tout le monde tombe dans la vraie vie

[@gillesserrigny6324]

Mais, la dépression n'est pas quelque chose que l'on essaie comme une drogue ! Elle s'insinue après un événement traumatique, où dans le cas d'une personnalité dont, peut être, suite à un trauma profond et lointain, est rendue particulièrement sensible à cette maladie de l'âme.

[@carolinecowdrey9396]

Wonderful musician

[@pentangle4444]

one of the greatest and saddest British folk performances of all times and written about the world's greatest music enigma Nick Drake in 1973 and Drake would be gone by 1974. John Martyn intersected the careers of both Drake and Sandy Denny but unclear if Drake or Denny ever influenced each other. Also loved John's Man at the Station and the Fairytale Lullaby. Drake had the habit of never talking to his audience when performing (which was rare) and running off the stage mid-performance and tuning for lengthy periods of times between songs.

[@Ferda1964]

Interestingly enough I discovered both of these great men much later in my life.

[@gillesserrigny6324]

John Martyn was more than a folk songwriter guitarist. He has always evolved his music. From folk to blues, expérimental music, jazz... even trip hop. For Nick Drake and Sandy Denny, l don't feel great influence between the both. Sandy Denny was one of the greatest english singer songwriter women of the golden era of the british folk. Excellent guitarist, but she was not inventive like Joni Mitchell or virtuoso like John and Nick.

[@davidalexander-watts6630]

There are moments when you need to hear John Martyn as no one else will do.

[@guntherfoll6916]

John was fantastic! Truely one of the best musicians I‘ve ever met. RIP ❤️

[@SLB4523]

What a marvellous, inclusive, personal interaction with the audience. It’s like he’s in your loungeroom. Love him, and I mean that in a very real sense.

[@kifffc3697]

Tout simplement magique 🥲

[@mikebennett3848]

Saw John so many times, and his gigs could be the best and the worst of shows .....A genius. The Telfords Warehouse in Chester with about 60 people was probably the best gigs I've ever seen. M

[@JonTChannel]

This is everything that was great about John Martyn, and in his prime. Amazing performer.

[@jaxxiom]

Playing this to my newborn son right now ❤️

[@blexicon8914]

Wow, I did too. 30 or so years.ago. Wasn't he magnificent, mesmerising & captivating. Bless the weather ..

[@rosedragon]

What a guy love his music just been introduced by a friend at 55 love his down to earth way❤❤❤❤❤

[@CRB1971]

The musician's musician.....

[@marcopinna502]

Che grande perdita! Prima Nick Drake poi John Martyn, che artisti! Si sente nei loro testi e nelle loro musiche, la fatica di vivere, la fatica di mandare avanti questo show! Grandi!

[@Maynard0504]

sitting there tuning his guitar is a reference to Nick. Him having only one guitar when performing was notoriously difficult for him since almost every song is in a different tuning.

[@ciaranjmurray]

Haha! It is frankly MAD that he worked live in this way! Especially given the bit where he mocks guitarists who give their instruments girls' names and baby them. He obviously wasn't sentimental about the instrument so ... why?!

[@MARYANNE269]

I love this man Just found again after watching some 1989 tribute..

[@frankpigorsch3671]

Ich würde viel geben, bei diesem Konzert dabei gewesen zu sein……es läuft die Gänsehaut……

[@austindecaux7895]

Agreed!!!

[@allancopland1768]

Awesome. What a guy! Saw him live many times in Glasgow. A breed apart.

[@sinimannerstuff4438]

Oh my...!! What a tune...his expression is astounding. His tic-yness is soothed quite clearly by this amazing expression. A musical treasure.

[@19bcm56]

Would have have loved to hear Marvyn Gaye sing some JM songs...think it would have worked😊

[@MC-ud9lq]

My two fav artists and I'm so glad somebody else thinks this 😁

[@morgan2205]

Thanks ukvibeorg!! loved this on my playlist a long time now. time to say cheers. happy coming and going to yalll!!

[@ewins6]

What an incredible performance. Real blues right there, emotion, everything.. I don’t know the guy, never will get the chance to. But a true inspiration and genius.. What an absolute crack you would have with him too. Unreal x

[@saulrodriguez2138]

Recién lo conozco y no puedo creer lo increíble que era. 😮😮😮

[@richiewilliams6875]

Yeah must love John and his marvellous body of work

[@perrystalsis55]

Absolutely stunning.

[@MrAbehrens]

Zolid air. Rest in peace JM

[@mauvebelly]

He is so funny at the beginning and clearly a loving friend.

[@kurtphipps7823]

Music today is so disposable,but back then songs told a story,and was performed beautifully

[@youextra789]

mind blowing. Still my favorite singer/songwriter. Thanks for upload!

[@jaggs7346]

Just wonderful.

[@dtmdmagician]

incredible

[@stephenhegney4370]

This is so wonderful. Bless you John.

[@pezushka]

He was perfect.

[@youextra789]

perfectly imperfect!

[@0713mas]

I think I can play something like this, a little dual source action, some alternate tunings, delay, wet reverb, and volume swells at some "crucial MoMeNtS"... Then you see John break a string, open a new pack and put a whole new string on, and retune while completely entering the audience and just knock it out of the park! The OG of singer song writer/ loop artists 1978 WOW!!!!!!!

[@lorihenderson673]

God I was 18 thank you lovely people down looe❤❤

[@Purelotus689]

I fucking love this man

[@Ferda1964]

We never used to rush much back in the days.

[@SuperForceindia]

Solid air love from India

[@andym28]

For an outlander, he is one of our brethern.

[@lilylodon]

Proper musician, with so much soul.

[@Wild-Camping-Geordie]

Genius ! RIP !

[@MrBluesPlus]

Fantastic!!!!

[@knockdrive1]

He socialised in my parents house early 2000s with my uncle and aunt who where his managers at the time and i got blitzed on his bacardi which he was u knowingly sharing with me a 15 yr old lad 😂 worst hangover ever. I still Have some merch that he gave me at the time absolute legend

[@peggs1]

Just outstanding.

[@bajabell]

THE BEST ...... just the best

[@stepramO]

Iv been walking in and out of solid air for a long time

[@TheChristianErfurt]

Genius.

[@catalina525]

wow this is great

[@wtfIZgoinonYO]

Amazing.

[@patrickkelly2318]

Bless ya John❤️🙏

[@DINYERDAZE]

Smooth and silky n slick🎶🌟🎶

[@stephankormendy2981]

I had the honour to see him life at Rockpalast at the Grugahalle in Essen.outstanding.

[@tmyoshimura621]

I’ve literally never seen someone break and restring their guitar on stage. This is too funny!

[@robloncio]

amazing!

[@carnivaltym]

The best. Full stop.

[@lisaoost3963]

Love you

[@kennymcalpine5711]

Zolid air

[@kf3310]

Nick Drake died November 25, 1974.

[@Avrillo-gf7tx]

😢😢😢

[@gillesserrigny6324]

Fifty years ago now !

[@lowmoon9025]

The William Blake of the guitar.

[@colombotaccani]

So great

[@judeirwin2222]

Arsing around until about 3:40, so skip ahead.

[@capitalistholocaust3128]

No! The arsing around is priceless!

[@ronnieparkerscott6223]

What a genius

[@godislove8740]

True love and Fencing. x Moi x

[@grantkorpez6669]

Enjoy people.... fucking amazing....🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@alexfletcher5192]

It's always been difficult to determine whether he had a genuine feeling and was just covering up, or that was him. My suspicion is that it was both. And that's quite a British duality. Even if it hurts, don't talk about it.

[@YonderVillas]

Guitar question - At 2:15 what's he doing on the guitar when he says "that would've stretched on me if I'd played"? Sounds like the D Is tuned but he then seems to tune the string up a good bit higher. Does he tune the string down and then up to Prevent the stretching? For anyone who'd like to answer, thank you in advance :)

[@ryanenglish8494]

I think you're pretty spot on in your thinking there mate

[@joshbaino3087]

exactly what you said. it would have slipped out of tune since he didn't wind it tight enough

[@FreeBrunoPowroznik]

I think he tugs on the string to pull out any give (ie stretches it), it loosens substantially, either because the ball end has ran further up the peg rung or it's loosened at the machine head, so he then has to re-tune upwards back to pitch. When he says that would've stretched, I think he means it would have loosened if he hadn't stretched it. True story 😉

[@johnbravo2301]

Doc Martin s1 ep 5 brought me here ,,,..

[@kevwills858]

Why has Rockpalst deleted the entire John Martyn concert ?? I used to listen to it in its entirity whilst gardening a few years ago ... Kept me nice, sane and peaceful ✌👍 I hate these bans, copyright and money-grubbing punks of youtube or Estates for smashing up what we/I used to love listening to ... Life is becoming Fractured (who Fractures life? for their few $$ ??)

[@TmRnBn]

Joao Gilberto does Glasgow...

[@mikeparrysatwat]

Wow

[@familyguyfanboy2]

We ain't got strings !!

[@krisscanlon4051]

Wow pain in every sense of the word...JM was fond of drink and 100mph lifestyle...reckless but he could deliver the goods...more like Charlie Parker than some Cat Stevens singer songwriter type... Peace JM.

[@krisscanlon4051]

He pulled that broken string with his teeth😂! More pain...

[@johnpluck6126]

Un fuckin believebel!