Thoughts on John Martyn 1948-2009

The Scene: The Apollo Victoria, 2 November 1980.
The time: 11 pm.

I’m standing offstage having just photographed two hours of the John Martyn Band in concert.
Martyn walks triumphantly off stage, nods perfunctorily at me and walks backstage.
The rest of the band follow him off.
The final member, drummer Phil Collins, bounds off and beams a smile at me and stops to talk.
COLLINS: Whaddya think then?
ME: Bloody amazing!
COLLINS: Get any good shots?
ME: Hope so.
COLLINS: D’ya wanna join us for a drink?
ME: Umm......I have to get these rolls to Melody Maker.
COLLINS: Beats standing on a street corner.
MARTYN: ‘Ere, Phil.
And Collins walks away to join Martyn , leaving me feeling...... (missed opportunity) bloody stupid!

I photographed many concerts, over a four-year period – some concerts I worked for the money; some concerts I worked, because I liked the artists; and this concert was one of those most rare concerts where I would’ve crawled to it. In fact, I recall that I did something I rarely did whilst snapping....I stopped numerous times during the gig just to look at/listen to Martyn’s extraordinary guitar work.


Fast forward to sometime in 1987.
The Scene: Chelsea Arts Club.

I walk in with my friend Charlie to meet our mutual mate Laurie, an Arts Club member.
I walk over to the bar to order drinks – standing there is John Martyn.
We get chatting and I recall the Apollo gig and how I missed the opportunity to have a post-gig evening with him and Phil Collins. He roars that fag-and-drink laden laugh of his and buys me a drink. And the same again on the next couple of occasions that I visit as well. A delight to know.

There are certain artists who mesmerise you with their brilliance – Richard Thompson, Jimi Hendrix, Nick Drake and Sandy Denny – and Martyn, from that first time I saw him in 1970 in Brighton with erstwhile wife Beverley, is in that hallowed band.
He was totally unique, a true visionary and the music resonates with amazing power.


(As I don’t have any prints of that show available I’ve had to use my contact strips to 'blow up' a couple of prints - apologies for the poor quality)

Chapter Twenty-Six – A devilish plan is hatched

Chapter 26

Nick has a 5-day photo-shoot in Scotland after which the rest of the Joshuas will go up to join him for a week’s holiday.

Meanwhile, Moriarty plots with Herman to......


4 pages : 1175 words

Chapter Twenty-Five – Archie has his job back

Chapter 25

Scarlett is upset at losing Murphy’s photo and preoccupied with trying to find it, but she doesn’t tell anyone. Archie arrives at the Joshua House to thank Nick.


3 pages : 910 words

Chapter Twenty-Four – The Village Fete

Chapter 24

It is a glorious summer’s day and the Village Fete, which is held on Moriarty’s land - is opened by guest of honour Janet Street-Porter. Archie is helping Nick with his photo stall/auction and Kate and Sandy are looking after the organic fruit and veg stall. Sarah and Bella are walking Murphy round the show and stop at Herman’s ferret-racing stall.

The fete is doing incredibly well with record numbers of visitors. Nick’s photo auction is going well but the climax is a stunning photo of Moriarty’s land: Moriarty believes he will get this photo at a knock-down price but...he doesn’t count on a surprise bidder. Moriarty storms off.

Meanwhile, one of Herman’s ferrets has escaped and causes untold damage after a chase through numerous stalls. The ferret ends up in the children’s fancy dress parade. Scarlett is knocked over and loses her photo of Murphy...to Herman. The chapter ends with a confrontation between Nick and Moriarty at which Nick is delighted to gain the upper hand.


10 pages : 2640 words

Happy Obama Day

A most welcome day. I enjoyed watching every heart-uplifting minute of it and in particular Bush’s cringed face when Obama tacitly punctured every Bushism of the previous regime. There may troubles ahead but there should be confidence that there is now a President of intelligence, integrity, passion and charisma. And to top it all, after 8 years, we have a President who can speak English.

Well, Barack, YES you can!

Chapters Twenty-Three – Kate’s mum arrives, Archie is sacked

Chapter 23

Kate’s mum, Ruth, arrives for a week and Nick ensconces himself in his darkroom printing photos for the Fete. When Nick goes for a break along to the village store he finds Archie looking disconsolate: he’s been sacked by Moriarty. Nick feels both responsible and furious.


4½ pages : 1240 words

Chapters Twenty-Two – Nick shoots, with Archie to the rescue

Chapter 22

Nick returns from a photo-shoot to find that he has only 3 days to provide a portfolio of photos for the Village Fete. So, early one Sunday morning Nick ventures out, with Murphy in tow, to take a series of local landscapes.

The photography is going well and he meets up with Archie who is out jogging. They walk on for a while until they come across...Herman, using illegal traps on a bird of prey near Moriarty’s massed pheasant pens. By now Blackie has become enamoured with Murphy and they go to greet one another but there is danger and Murphy saves Blackie from a hidden trap. Herman sees this and thinks that Murphy has attacked Blackie and is about to shoot Murphy. Archie barrels Herman to the ground distracting his shot and he is left with Herman's threat resounding in his ears.


3 pages : 1780 words

Chapters Twenty & Twenty-One – School wraps up, The village Fete

Chapter 20

The following 3 weeks of the summer involves the end of the school term, work away for Nick and occasional visits to the coast where Murphy is in his element. School is out and the next big event is...The Village Fete.

Chapter 21

The end of term is marked by a family visit to the coast and everyone in the Joshua family goes into the sea to swim – except Bella. Not even Murphy’s exhortations towards Bella will overcome her fear of water.
The Rev Julia visits Kate and asks for her input with the Village Fete. Kate suggests a fruit and veg stall of her own garden produce; and she volunteers (an absent) Nick will provide some of his photos for a stall. Julia of course is delighted.


7½ pages : 2345 words

Chapter Nineteen (cont’d) – Meeting with a previous acquaintance...

Chapter 19 (continued)

After resting, Murphy tucks into some vegetarian lunch and there to greet the Joshuas is the kindly and prescient old Irishman, Francis, who happens to be beachcombing. This enhances the mystery behind Murphy and they leave Horseshoe Cove with a great deal to think about.


4 pages : 1220 words

Chapter Nineteen – More revelations at Horseshoe Cove

Chapter 19

The Joshuas head to the coast. Murphy indicates, by barking furiously, that Nick should head down a dirt track road. The car ends up on a high cliff which leads down to an isolated cove in the shape of a horseshoe. There is a treacherous clamber down to the beach and Murphy delights in diving into the sea.
There are further revelations in this chapter.


5½ pages : 1520 words

Chapter Eighteen – The Joshuas settle as summer rolls on...

Chapter 18

Life settles into a routine as the summer rolls on.......
School appears to be going well.
Even though the house is in an awful state, the Joshuas are delighted with the Hardstaffs work.
Murphy is well integrated in his new life.
Kate begins a new project.
Nick has days away, on the various photo-assignments.
Finally, the Joshuas decide to take Murphy to the coast.


3 pages : 880 words

Chapter Seventeen – Life returns to ‘normal’

Chapter 17

Life returns to ‘normal’ for the Joshuas, except that, out of the blue, the Hardstaff brothers phone to say they are able to work on the house ... starting tomorrow! The Joshuas are stunned but are also delighted that their house will soon be in a more habitable state. The next day the Hardstaffs turn up and begin to demolish the inside of the house.
Chaos soon reigns!


2 pages : 600 words

Chapter Sixteen – The Revelation

Chapter 16

The Joshuas transfer the film of Murphy swimming onto the computer and watch it back with some delight. Just then, Moriarty arrives with an apology for Kate – he is condescending and Nick becomes annoyed. At the same time, there is a revelation as the film plays in the background. Nick humbles Moriarty out of the house, and they watched the film back one small – they are all stunned at what they see. Murphy is not what he appears to be. Now they must decide whether they should keep Murphy!?


3½ pages : 1120 words

Chapters Fifteen – Murphy swims

Chapter 15

Hughesy arrives with the post one morning and is introduced to Murphy; only Hughesy has already seen Murphy at Boggle Lake (on Moriarty’s land). Kay says that that’s impossible as it's 8 miles away, but Hughesy says that Murphy is unmistakable.

The new video camera is used for the first time, and Murphy is the favourite subject to film. Julia and Archie visit to meet the new family member, but he’s missing. Scarlett thought that she saw him heading down to the Beck behind the house and they go on a Murphy-hunt. Sarah is filming when they find Murphy, swimming like an otter in the beck. Naturally, the family is surprised.


5 pages : 1500 words

Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen – More about Murphy, Kate has a run-in

Chapter 13

This is a chapter in which Murphy’s character comes to the fore – he is gentle, smart and resourceful and he is soon the centre of the girls’ world. Schools starts, and Kate has a vehicular run-in with Marcus Moriarty. Kate is left with a lot of mud on her face.

Chapter 14

Nick returns from another photo-assignment and he’s brought a gift for the family to coincide with Murphy’s arrival – their first video camera.


6½ pages : 1880 words

Chapter Twelve – Murphy settles in

Chapter 12

Murphy settles into life with his new family and he appears to be extremely happy in his new home. Murphy is very inquisitive and intelligent but one thing the Joshuas notice is that Murphy is very wary of water – this endears him to Bella who empathises with his fear of water.

Even though Murphy has settled he will not eat regular dog food. Kate phones the RSPCA and she is told that they forgot to tell them that Spike/Murphy appears to be vegetarian. The Joshuas are surprised that there are 'vegetarian' dogs and they investigate their vegetarian options.

It is the last weekend before the girls start their new school and the whole weekend is based around their family member, Murphy.

4½ pages : 1260 words

Chapter Eleven – Bella chooses Spike, who becomes...Murphy

Chapter 11 begins with the Joshuas, and especially the children, waiting impatiently for a decision from the RSPCA. Finally Nick is exhorted by the girls to phone the RSPCA who in fact were about to phone him...as Spike had gone missing. But suddenly he had turned up again and Joshuas were welcome to come and collect him.
They speed to York and collect Spike. Bella realises that the dog does not respond to the name Spike and so everyone chips in with a name. But Bella suddenly says that his name is Murphy and the dog reacts positively. They head home and Murphy is acquainted with his new home.


2½ pages : 575 words

Happy Christmas: Chapter Eight, Nine and Ten – Break down, Julia’s revelation, Bella’s Birthday

Well, this has been 10 days to remember – Mrs R, IS and ES have all been suffering from flu for some days. Between the three of our girls they’ve missed 11 days of school.

In between, we had two heavy snowfalls – the second fall resulted in five days of sheet ice and the worst driving conditions that I can recall in this country.

Worst of all, we were due to make the long trek south to Hove before my mother’s 80th Birthday, but illness prevented us leaving the house. Ho-bloody-hum!

Happy Christmas to all my readers!


Back to the novel.......
Chapter 8 concludes with the family returning to Beckside House; on the way home there is an involved and animated conversation about getting a pet – which pet, how many pets, what colour - is punctured by the car breaking down.

Chapter 9 has the Joshua family getting more integrated in village life. Nick has to go on a photo-assignment in West Yorkshire, and Kate takes the girls to visit Julia. Julia goes into a diatribe about her life in the Church, but it’s all finding members of the village who will swell the meagre numbers who go to the Church - and Kate, who likes Julia a lot, has put to put their cards on the table.
It is also time for the Joshuas to prepare for their girls to go to school. Hughesy, a postman, who delivers oppose at any time of day and night, arrive is and joins in the burgeoning conversation about pets.

Chapter 10 is long and important one. It is Bella’s birthday and presents are being opened. But there is one final gift which Nick and Kate tell Bella about – they will go to the RSPCA in York and Bella will choose a pet.
Within the hour they are in the car and heading south to York. The Joshuas receive an informative welcome but their feelings turn to anguish as they see the large number of dogs who are caged and yelping and barking – these are all unwanted dogs who desperately need an owner. But they haven’t come for a dog – of course Bella is dog-phobic – and they are directed to the small reptiles and small mammals department where the choices are between....a tortoise, two rats and two African snails. The family go to a local café to make a family decision.
After lunch they return to the RSPCA and have a family vote in the garden. But Bella has wandered off. She is attracted by a dog in a compound on its own. The next thing the family notices is that Bell is missing and they find her talking to this dog: they are astonished. They are even more astonished when they see Bella stroking the dog and she finally tells them that this is the pet that she wants!
The Joshuas are then house-checked by an RSPCA agent and they wait impatiently for the decision.

12 pages : 3680 words

Chapter Eight – First visit to the coast

Kate and Nick break the torpor by suggesting a visit to the coast/sea. With an early start they bundle excitedly into the car and head over the moors – it’s spring and the Moors are beginning to recover after the ravages of winter. The Moors look immutably grand and rugged, and everyone’s enthralled by the scenery en route to the coast.

Once at Robin Hood’s Bay the beach is stunning and populated by dogs and their owners and a few walkers. It is here that we discover that Bella dislikes dogs – she was bitten by one when she was 3 years old – so this could be a precarious outing.

Nevertheless, Kate keeps a close eye on Bella who begins to relax on the beach whilst the other girls roam wildly and enjoy rock-pooling. However, it happens to be Bella’s misfortune that she is the one who is blindsided by a large dog and sent flying, landing in the wet sand. Bella is tearful in the sand...until a kindly old Irishman, Francis, comes to her rescue. Kate mistakenly thinks that the miscreant dog belongs to Francis and launches a tirade at him.

Once Bella recovers and the true dog-owner apologises, Nick turns to apologise to Francis...but he has gone!

5½ pages : 1570 words

Chapter Seven – Plans revised

For the first time Kate is crestfallen at the prospects of living at Beckside House, in the village and Yorkshire. Nick and Kate have to re-evaluate their plans for their house. Perhaps they’ll look for alternative builders; in the meantime they’ll start some DIY themselves.

Kate is starting to feel hemmed in by village life – the same characters day after day, the house will remain in limbo for months and they have no old friends to commune with.

Something’s got to give!

3 pages : 920 words