John Martyn

• Genre: British Folk
• Hometown: Glasgow
• John Martyn Website

About

Emerging out of the London folk scene in the late '60s with a fingerpicking style not unlike that of Bert Jansch, John Martyn's first few records were quiet bluesy affairs that accented his trademark rumbling voice. The release of both Bless the Weather in '71 and Solid Air in '73 solidified the cult audience that has followed him his entire career. Both records relied on his vocals as an instrument while acoustic echoplexed guitars and jazz-inspired compositions held the backdrop. While former friends and contemporaries like Nick Drake and Richard Thompson have received a much more devoted and wider following, Martyn's music and career have maintained an integrity and longevity not often rivaled.

- Jon Pruett