john martyn is such a legend but danny thompson on bass also deserves the same status

2 Guys, 10 strings and a couple of bits of wood. What kind of magic is this?

It's not drug related at all. You were correct with your comment. When you have clinical depression it's like moving through solid air. The song is all about Nick Drake's struggle with his depression. John has described clinical depression very well.

Summer evening,wine ,stars above and john martyn. Life doesnt get any better

I think it can definitely be interpreted that way. I also see it as describing Nick's presence. He was a very mysterious figure who possessed incredible talent and wrote hauntingly beautiful music. He died very young and obscure and there's no footage of him playing, so it was almost as if he wasn't even fully real - like solid air. To good and fragile for this world.

In 1969 I spent an evening around Johns home along with the guy for whom May You Never was written. Much toking and jamming took place. He was a one-off and will be greatly missed. R.I.P. big guy.

Amazing song...knowing the back story makes it heartbraking. He so loved and wanted to help friend Nick Drake :(

I went to see John Martyn and Danny during this tour. Blown away. Two guys and a drumbox. Totally mesmerized the audience.

Pure glasgow Soul, fantastic

All these years later and I'm still close to tears at their brilliance.

@weemoses a friend of my father's was on the way to a John Martyn gig in Dublin shortly before John passed away.My father's friend stopped into a pub on the way to the gig and was having a drink and got talking to a guy at the bar. He suddenly realised the guy he was talking to was John Martyn. After a few drinks with John he got up to head to the gig. As he was leaving John at the bar he told John, "You'd better bloody show up at the gig!" John laughed turned up and played a great set.

we need John Martyn to keep this planet SANE!

I can't believe John Martyn has passed from among us. I was lucky enough to see him at Glastonbury in the mid 80s on the hottest most blissful day imaginable RIP John .. One of the Greats...

Beautiful version of the song that changed my life spiritually and musically. A testament to John Martyn's brilliance in that this album has influenced so many artists so profoundly. The story of Nick Drake is sad but this track seems to almost accidentally refer to the intangible beauty that Drake was trying to reveal during his short time with us. RIP John & Nick and thank you for bringing us something that is truly from the heart.

Love this song been listening to it for 30 yrs.Didnt know it was about Nock Drake .Very sad

saw John Martin Liverpool stadium 1972 awsome man

Small hours and this...all the way!

Johns music has been the soundtrack to my life since I was 17. Go down Easy Big Man. Missing you already...xx

Jesus, how I have only just discovered John Martyn, this is simply awesome

Every time I listen to his music, my soul feels like a cat that is gently stroked by his soothing tones. The ultimate chill-out music.

Martyn was absolutely brilliant in all his incarnations. Danny Thompson is one of the best bassists in the world. They enjoyed a perfectly symbiotic relationship and the world was lucky to experience it.

Heard John Martyn track on a german film other night, reminded me what a genius the man is, especially this song.

5 stars aint enough. Thats just incredible.

This is other worldly.

The greatest version of this song... beautiful

Rest in peace big fella and thank you so much for everything. Legend

A pair of awesome dudes. I think they had their 'issues' as a duo but musically... they were the dog's doodahs.

Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Moves me to tears I'm speechless❤

Just sublime, this song figures high on my all time personal favourites, always a joy to hear.

:tears: How you helped this soul in hard times brother. RIP Friend

I'm melting - what a musician and voice. So glad I got to see him one last time.x

Smooth, silky, and so groove-able. And agree with Chris Sutton below - Danny Thompson kicks bass up a notch on this incredible work. Brilliant.

Yes, Danny Thompson is an incredible double bassist!! And an amazing, generous man and teacher. I had the honor of playing with him at Sore Fingers Bluegrass Week a few years ago and I will always cherish those moments. This was some of the best music I've ever been involved with in my entire career.

Hes absolutely on fire in this performance. great stuff!

OMG what a completely wonderful recording of a sublime song.

john's just genius i met him one night in the Kelvingrove Bar in glasgow he had just finnished a nights recording round at theCAVA studios. I remember walking into the bar that night and saw him,he had a good drink in him and i said John Martyn ,and he said ,do you know me and i said i certainly do he said well come over and sit at my table he was on the brandies i was on the lager.we spoke about his music and all the music that he listened to most of i had never heard of.nice guy ,r i p John

Wow!

So classy thank you John and Danny

Farewell John! You shaped my life and influenced me in a special way. You were unique in your expression and your music will live forever!

So awesome - so sad. My world will be a sadder place with your passing. The body may be gone, but the soul will live forever. Gid Bless you John.

Great video - beautiful memories. I remember him doing a gig in Queens Hall, Edinburgh - one night a trio, Danny Thompson, JM and a drummer. The next night he had a full band. Only one was truly magical!

i seen JM live in glasgow twice both times he was supported by john smith(a young genius!) the second time i seen john he played the full solid air album! 2 great shows i wont forget! did anyone else see that show?

These guys are quite good …. no one touches them in these years

John was a fantastic musician, a generous soul, and will be greatly missed :( RIP

Remember seeing him around this time. Fantastic, but remember how long it took him to tune up between songs. Brilliant though! Danny Thompson, just brilliant as ever!

Saw John Martyn play at Glastonbury many years ago now ..musically a highlight of my life ..the stage ..John alone playing ..lasers across the starry sky ...magic

sad sad day your with angels john..not walking on solid air...what a loss to music rip matexx

Seen him a dozen times now and each time he blows you away. A true legend

I saw him live 3 years ago & even though his words where unrecognisable his music still reached my soul. He has been there in my darkist times and my most happiest times. I'm utterly gutted that he's gone. his music was from the heart and you could feel every word he sang. hendrix, morrison, dylan only wished they could of had what came naturally to John Martyn! R.I.P. John. You forever in our hearts.

Simply a great tune by a great artist.

WOW I CANT SAY THE FEELINGS I GET FROM THIS GREAT SONG FROM A VERY GOOD SONG WRITER GOD BLESS YOU JOHN YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL FEELING SOUL AND HEART WONDERFUL THANK YOU

Gracias John!!!

The upright bass sounds perfect with the guitar. Lovely

Lovely, the bass is just wonderful!

Inspired rendition. Thompson on fire. John Martyn, The guv'nor. 'Nuff said.

He was just majical natural & brilliant. He left a great body of work & and Danny was just the best !

Thank you for bringing your wonderful music into my life john! Rest in peace

With you all the way on that one.🌵

Never seen him live, but listening to his music a lot at the minute, so it was truly excellent to see this. Thanks!

Danny Thompson is my best friend Peter Mcdonahs cousin peter has sadly passed. We met up with Danny at the Band on the wall swan st. Manchester many years back. John Etteridge on guitar and some guys from Bournemouth orchestra. Just magic. If you read this Danny reply 🎶🐕🎸❤️

This is from a concert the day before I was born, and yet it still seems timeless. I'm fairly convinced their won't be any musician nearly as innovative as him in my lifetime.

Pure love

no wonder im such an anglophile, I fell in love with John Martyn I was 17!...wait its been 38 years already?

This is talent. When I listen to someone and get envious that I couldn't do a better job, then by God that's talent.

man this sends shivers down my spine....jm is a god...all hale jm!

Saw him so many times and he never failed to touch my heart,even when he was all electric. Last time at Dolans in Limerick. So sad we wont see or hear him again.

Happy memories - was in the third row somewhere there

Just a mention for the marvellous Danny Thompson as well. These guys are, now sadly were, superb together.

1 guitar + 1 double bass + 1 voice = Pure excellence.

EXCELLENT !!!

truly amazing! so many memories with this song and the album

For me this is John`s best work with the superb Danny Thompson, thank you for this posting.

absolutely gorgeous

superb.

Thanks John you Legend! May you rest in peace fella!

Absolute quality , two greats, and yes indeed superb Bass playing from Danny Thompson. 20 dislikes, beyond me.

My dads friend went to this concert man I would have loved to have been alive when this genius played performances like this. A true gem like no other John was he will never be dead. His soul and spirit still lives on music like this is immortal in my opinion.

A true masterclass on acoustic intensity.

A great man he will be missed very much

Love the scots voice at the end "Now don't fall over" when John reaches for another guitar!

he has such an amazing voice

Such talent. I hate that I've only just discovered his music, after his death. Thanks for this.

Just too wonderful and moving for ...

So glad my pops introduced john to me as a kid in the eighties. Am approaching thirty and still loving - and now missing - him

It actually describes my battle with morbid depression insanely well.

This song, the composer/singer, the artist it was originally meant for and the introduction quote ("had a bit of trouble in his nut") makes ya spit out delightful expletives that aren't appropriate for anyone but yourself. This clip right here is why I love music. RIP John and Nick. Thank you so much for what you contributed to our world and lifetimes.

great song, cant beat it in any situation, in a meal, date, relaxation time, work, cant beat it ;)

Beautiful Song...

I saw him in Dublin on one of those nights , he was a brilliant performer. Still love this album..

thank you for giving me inspiration in times of darkness, the world has lost a lovely person, R.I.P.

seen this man do his stuff 3 or 4 times and each time for one reason or another missed solid air, till one night in cambridge i left a happy man.

I first saw John live in '82 & regularly ever since, my last 3 gigs were after his amputation & I was so shocked by how much he'd let himself go. A superb musician but obviously stubborn as a mule when it came to giving up the booze & dope, it's sad that he never got on top of his addictions but I am so glad that I saw him in his prime as the last few years were just painful to see what a slurring, mumbling mess he'd become, being carried by his band (literally & metaphorically). A legend - RIP

First saw John at the Elephant Fayre in Cornwall back in 1984 and he was unforgettable! Gonna miss you Mr Martyn!

I hope so! he is wonderful!!!

Beautiful song

Cette voix et ce jeu de guitare... John Martyn, ce fut un grand.

i miss you, john. i miss you, nick.

i lived in brighton for 9 years and was fortunate to see him 3 times...brilliant man,so funny and one of a kind.

Dont forget my friends,John Martyn was never able to do this without Danny Thompson.Masterpice of all time.