Tag Archives: John Martyn

Taj Mahal: Like Never Before

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On October 31, 1991, “Private Music” label released “Like Never Before”, the 17th Taj Mahal album. It was recorded in 1991, at “Studio 4 Recording”, “Paramount Recording Studios”, “Studio 55”, “Orca Studios”, “Platinum Island Studios”, “Criteria Recording Studios”,  and was produced by Skip Drinkwater.

Personnel:

  • Taj Mahal – vocals, guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica
  • Hiram Bullock – guitar
  • David Lindley – guitar, lap steel guitar
  • Mark Tyler – guitar
  • Paul Barrere – guitar
  • Jerry Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Eric Bazilian – acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin
  • Sonny Rhodes – lap steel guitar
  • Dr. John – piano
  • Mark Goodman – electric piano, synthesizer
  • Donald Robinson – keyboards
  • Mark Jordan – piano, organ, synthesizer
  • Jim Salomone – synthesizer
  • Rob Hyman – organ, accordion
  • Jerry Cohen – organ
  • Doug Grisby – bass
  • Tony Jones – bass
  • Andy Kravitz – drums, percussion, castanets, tambourin
  • Bill Summers – congas, percussion triangle, batas, guiro, percussion
  • David Johnson – percussion, bells
  • Phil Nicolo – cymbals, programming, engineer, mixing
  • Richard Feldman – programming
  • Rudy Costa – soprano saxophone
  • Ron Kerber – alto saxophone
  • Haywood Henry – alto saxophone, clarinet
  • “Jammin” Jay Davidson – tenor and baritone saxophone, horn arrangements
  • Claire Daly – tenor saxophone
  • Ed Kalney, Gary McKeen – trumpet
  • Jeff Lego – trombone
  • Art Baron – trombone
  • Howard Johnson – tuba, cornet, horn arrangements
  • Daryl Hall, John Oates, Sheryl Crow, Porter Carroll, Augie Johanson, Greg Maha, Louis Patton, Reggie Ellis, Willie Green, Rob Hyman – backing vocals
  • The Pointer Sisters (Anna, June, Ruth) – backing vocals
  • DJ Jazzy Jeff – turntables
  • Myric “Freeze” Guillory – washboard
  • Joe Nicolo – engineer, mixing
  • Bruce Weeden, John Moyer, Michael Schlesinger – additional engineering
  • Brandon Harris, Doug DeAngelis, Steve McLoughlin, Christopher Thomas, Lou Catanzaro, Mark Schulz, Chris Furman, Kurt BuJack, Scott Blockland – engineer assistant
  • Skip Drinkwater – mixing
  • Greg Fulginiti – mastering
  • Andy Van Dette, Ray Legnini, Scott Hall – digital editing
  • Andy Bauer, Mark Goodman – guitars technician
  • Larry Vigon – art direction, design
  • Brian Jackson – design
  • Chris Callis – photography
  • Brooke Drinkwater, Robert L. Stephenson – production coordinator
  • Jamie Cohen – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Don’t Call Us – Richard Feldman, Taj Mahal
  2. River of Love – Jimmy Scott, Porter Carroll, Richard Feldman
  3. Scattered – Mark Jordan, Patrick Dollahan, Richard Feldman, Taj Mahal
  4. Ev’ry Wind (In the River) – Richard Feldman, Taj Mahal
  5. Blues with a Feeling – Walter Jacobs
  6. Squat That Rabbit – Joe Nicolo, Taj Mahal
  7. Take All the Time You Need – Jerry Williams
  8. Love Up – John Martyn
  9. Cakewalk into Town – Taj Mahal
  10. Big Legged Mommas Are Back in Style – Taj Mahal
  11. Take a Giant Step – Gerry Goffin, Carole King

Danny Thompson

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On September 23, 2025, Daniel Henry Edward Thompson aka Danny Thompson died aged 86. He was musician (upright bass, tea chest bass), songwriter and record producer, member of Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, led a trio that included John McLaughlin, but was best known as member of Pentangle and long – time collaborator with John Martyn. During his long musical career he recorded and played with a large variety of other musicians, including Richard Thompson, Kate Bush, Tim Buckley, ABC, Skin, Ayuo, Richard Barbieri, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Sam Brown, Graham Coxon, Donovan, Christine Collister, Barbara Dickson, Bick Drake, Everything but the Girl, Marianne Faithfull, Peter Gabriel, Davey Graham, Mara!, Linda Lewis, Mike Landup, Magna Carta, The Chris McGregor Septet, Loreena McKennitt, Ralph McTell, Alison Moyet, Cliff Richard, Dizrhythmia, David Sylvian, Duffy Power, Deva Premal, Andrew Ridgeley, Talk Talk, Loudon Wainwright III, Se. E. Rogie, Darell Scott, Songhai, Vivian Stanshall, Eric Bibb & North Country Far, Hunter Muskett, Mary Hopkin, John Stevens, Alan Holdsworth, Bert Jansch, David Wharnsby, Boo Hewerdine, Tasmin Archer, The Incredible String Band, T. Rex and Rod Stewart. As leader Thompson released seven albums.

John Giblin

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On May 14, 2023, John Giblin died aged 71. He was musician (acoustic and electric bass), best known as excellent studio musician. He recorded and performed with John Martyn, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lenox, John Lennon, Duncan Brown, Elkie Brooks, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Phil Collins, Fish, Simple Minds, Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Al Green, Kate Bush, Judie Tzuke, The Everly Brothers, Roberta Flack, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Jon Anderson, George Martin, Gerry Rafferty, Hugh Masakela, Fish, Alan Parsons, Manolo Garcia, Claudio Baglioni, Richard Ashcroft, Franco Battiato, Saro Cosentino, Eros Ramazzotti, Brand X and Scott Walker.

John Martyn: Well Kept Secret

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On August 1, 1982, “WEA” label released “Well Kept Secret”, the twelve John Martyn album. It was recorded in 1982, at “RAK Studios” in London, and was produced by Sandy Roberton.

Personnel:

  • John Martyn – vocals, guitar
  • Jim Prime – keyboards
  • Geraint Watkins – keyboards, piano, accordion
  • Pete Wingfield – keyboards
  • Alan Thomson – bass
  • Jeff Allen – drums
  • Andy Duncan – drums
  • Danny Cummings – drums, percussion
  • Mel Collins – saxophone, flute
  • Ronnie Scott – saxophone
  • Martin Drover – trumpet
  • Phil Thornalley – engineer
  • Mike Nocito – recording
  • Bill Smith – cover art
  • Andrew Douglas – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Martyn except where noted.

  1. Could’ve Been Me
  2. You Might Need a Man
  3. Hung Up
  4. Gun Money
  5. Never Let Me Go – Joseph Scott
  6. Love Up
  7. Changes Her Mind
  8. Hiss on the Tape
  9. Back with a Vengeance
  10. Livin’ Alone

Harold McNair

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On March 7, 1971, Harold McNair died aged 39. He was musician (saxophone, flute), recorded and performed with many artists including Quincy Jones, Tony Crombie, Jack Costanzo,Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Philly Joe Jones, John Cameron, Blossom Dearie, Jon Hendricks, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Ginger Baker’s Air Force (Polydor, 1970), with Steve Winwood, Phil Seamen, Johnny Harris, Donovan, The Picadilly Line, Lionel Bart, Steamhammer, Davy Graham, John Martyn, Don Partridge, Syd Dale, Brian Bennett, Kathe Green, Alun Ashworth Jones, Magna Carta, Marc Brierley, Nick Drake – Bryter Layter, CCS, Peter Collins, Peter Collins, Rosetta Hightower, Cressida, Caetano Veloso, Alexis Korner, Seven Ages of Man and Tim Hollier. As band leader he released ten albums.

John Martyn: Grace & Danger

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In October 1980, “Island” label released “Grace and Danger”, the tenth John Martyn studio album. It was recorded in 1979, and was produced by Martin Levan.

Personnel:

  • John Martyn– vocals, guitar
  • Tommy Eyre- keyboards, synthesizers
  • John Giblin– bass
  • Phil Collins- drums, backing vocals
  • Dave Lawson – additional synthesizers
  • Mark Freegard- engineer assistant
  • Bruno Tilley – design
  • Sandy Porter – photography

Track lsiting:

All tracks by John Martyn except where noted.

  1. Some People Are Crazy
  2. Grace and Danger
  3. Lookin’ On
  4. Johnny Too Bad – The Slickers: Winston Bailey, Hylton Beckford, Derrick Crooks, Delroy Wilson; additional lyrics by John Martyn
  5. Sweet Little Mystery
  6. Hurt In Your Heart
  7. Baby Please Come Home
  8. Save Some (For Me)
  9. Our Love – John Martyn, Beverley Martyn

John Martyn: Bless the Weather

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In November 1971, “Island” label released “Bless the Weather”, the fifth John Martyn studio album. It was recorded in May 1971, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by John Martyn and John Woods.

Personnel:

  • John Martyn- vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
  • Richard Thompson- guitar
  • Beverley Martyn- guitar, vocals
  • Danny Thompson- double bass
  • Tony Reeves- double bass, bass guitar
  • Ian Whiteman – keyboards
  • Smiley De Jonnes – percussion
  • Roger Powell – drums

Track listing:

All tracks by John Martyn except where noted.

  1. Go Easy
  2. Bless the Weather
  3. Sugar Lump
  4. Walk to the Water
  5. Just Now
  6. Head and Heart
  7. Let the Good Things Come
  8. Back Down the River
  9. Glistening Glyndebourne
  10. Singin’ in the Rain – Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed

John Martyn: Inside Out

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In October 1973, “Island” label released “Inside Out”, the seventh John Martyn album. It was recorded in July 1973, at “Island Studios” in London, and was produced by John Martyn.

Personnel:

  • John Martyn – vocals, guitar
  • Danny Thompson- bass, double bass
  • Chris Stewart – bass
  • Steve Winwood- bass, keyboards
  • Bobby Keyes– saxophone
  • Chris Wood- flute, horns
  • Remi Kabaka- percussion
  • Keshav Sathe – tabla

Track listing:

All tracks by John Martyn, except where noted.

  1. Fine Lines
  2. Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail – traditional, arranged by John Martyn
  3. Ain’t No Saint
  4. Outside In
  5. The Glory of Love (Billy Hill)
  6. Look In
  7. Beverley
  8. Make No Mistake
  9. Ways To Cry
  10. So Much in Love With You

John Martyn: The Tumbler

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In October 1968, “Island” label released “The Tumbler”, the second John Martyn album. It was recorded in July 1968, at “Regent Sound” in London, and was produced by Al Stewart.

Personnel:

  • John Martyn – vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
  • Paul Wheeler – guitar
  • Harold McNair– flute
  • David Moses – double bass
  • Francine Winham – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Martyn except where noted.

  1. Sing A Song of Summer
  2. The River
  3. Goin’ Down to Memphis
  4. The Gardeners – Bill Lyons
  5. A Day at the Sea
  6. Fishin’ Blues – Henry Thomas
  7. Dusty
  8. Hello Train
  9. Winding Boy – Jelly Roll Morton
  10. Fly on Home – John Martyn, Paul Wheeler
  11. Knuckledy Crunch and Slippledee-slee Song
  12. Seven Black Roses

Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez

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On September 4, 2015, Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez died aged 80. He was musician (trombone), one of the first and most distinguished reggae and ska artists. He has formed the group Rico and the Rudies, and has recorded and performed with many famous musicians and producers including Karl Pitterson,  Prince Buster, Lloyd “Matador” Daley, Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, Delroy Washington , Burning Spear, The Specials,  Jools Holland, Dennis Bovell, Ian Dury, Chas Jankel, Joan Armatrading, John Martyn, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Steel Pulse and Paul Young. In 2007, he was awarded an  “MBE”  (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to music. For his contribution to Jamaican music, in 2012 he was awarded the “Silver Musgrave Medal” by the “Institute of Jamaica”.