John Martyn, 1948-2009

Goodbye.

When I first began toiling at record stores my various managers inevitably turned out to be huge fans of John Martyn. While I respected Martyn, I never became a member of his small but rabid cult following. My bosses were the usually the types with tastes for expensive stereos and designer drugs. I've never been a part of those scenes, either. So when I played this live 1990 Martyn disc yesterday for the first time in a decade I was shocked at what I heard. The Dave Matthews Band sounds almost exactly like late-period Martyn. Mumbled vocals, odd vocal cadences, saxophone accompaniment, melodic bass guitar, loose improvisational feel- all suggest that Matthews was, in fact, Martyn's informal apprentice. Martyn died yesterday. (Tip via BGO.)

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I'm saddened by the deaths of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Billy Powell and Welsh guitarist Mickey Gee. (And again, both tips via BGO.)

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Even with a new album and his half-time show at the Super Bowl looming, I don't recall a time when my enthusiasm for Bruce Springsteen has been lower. I'm just not feeling it, Boss.

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Kansas City Click: The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey will likely bring many first-time visitors to Jardine's tonight.

John Scofield stars at the Folly Saturday.

Combichrist shocks The Record Bar on the Lord's Day.