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Elly Roberts reviews
Solid Air: Remastered: 
Britains love affair with John Martyn continues with yet another triumphant return to Liverpool.
Anyone whos been to a gig by Iain David McGeachy, aka John Martyn, will knowtheyre in for a very special experience. This night was no exception. The onlydifference being, this show was mainly devoted to a ground -breaking albumfrom 1973, with extra songs topping and tailing the main set. Considering itnever charted, fans still have an enduring love affair with the masterpiece thatis Solid Air.
It effectively signaled a change in musical direction from Folk/Blues towardsmore idiosyncratic Jazz leanings along with a new slurred vocal style, whichhe retains to this day.
Released in February 1973, his sixth album, it regularly makes the Top 100best albums of all time. No surprises there. For over and hour and twentyminutes, jolly 59-year-old Martyn held court in customary fashion. Doing anaeroplane impression, he was wheeled on by his tour manager; it brought cheersand laughter from the thrilled 1,600 capacity crowd.
The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter unleashed his set with Cool Tide(Grace & Danger, 1980) and Looking On (Cool Tide, 1991).Leaning back in his wheelchair and guitar perched on his bulky frame, he gentlystrummed away on the divine jazzy ditty, with band mates Alan Thomson (bass),Arran Ahmun (drums), Foster Paterson (keys) and Martin Winning (sax) allowingMartyns wailing guitar to engulf the venue, and Winnings sublime sax solosadding the sensual textures. It was much of the same for Looking On.
Into the main set, played in non-chronological order, the more upbeat Dreams ByThe Sea was greeted by whistles and cheers. In fact every song was, splicedby regular banter, which Martyn relished by giggling and responding in his nowtypical mumbled style. Manning again stole the show with some blistering soloson Dreams, toning it down with equal effect for the floaty/sensualThe Man At The Station.
Strumming the opening chords for Over The Hill cheers rang out again onhis less complicated song on the album, though competition between guitar andThomsons mandolin proved fascinating. It was quickly segued by the mesmerizingI Dont Want To Know About Love, with Martyns pained and tangled expressionsconveying the sentiments to perfection. A quick guitar change and the sharpchords of May You Never brought further crowd responses.
After a brief blip, a re-started Jelly Roll cruised wonderfully with Martynshowcasing some deft digital dexterity. Picking up a pace on a keys and saxdrenched Id Rather Be The Devil, it seemed to come and go too quickly,whereas the cool and gentle opening of Go Down Easy lowered the pace andatmosphere, while his now gruff singing transformed the original version asflute, keys and percussion floated together in a neo-Jazz template, making itthe best of the night.
On the hour, he closed the main set with Solid Air a tribute to deceasedfriend and label-mate Nick Drake that was once again transformed by Martynsgravel-like vocals.
After the band intros, he capped off a magnificent night with a gospel-infusedgem, Rock Salt and Nails and divine soulful ballad Never Let Me Gowhich brought a rousing cheer and standing ovation. Job done, he was wheeled offto his dressing room, for a well earned cuppa!
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.