The Long Night of John Martyn: A Haunting Tale of Addiction and Redemption

In the intimate and evocative Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn, music journalist Graeme Thomson traces the extraordinary life and tragic decline of one of Britain's most gifted singer-songwriters. Drawing on previously unheard interviews and Martyn's own writings, Thomson paints a vivid and unflinching portrait of an artist consumed by addiction and plagued by personal demons, yet who continued to create haunting and beautiful music until the very end.

Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn

by Graeme Thomson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3061 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	281 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	93 pages

FREE

Martyn was born in Glasgow in 1948 and began playing guitar as a teenager. He quickly developed a unique and distinctive style, blending elements of folk, blues, and jazz. In the late 1960s, he moved to London and signed with Island Records, releasing a string of critically acclaimed albums, including Solid Air (1973) and One World (1977).

However, behind the music, Martyn was struggling with a growing addiction to alcohol and drugs. His marriage to singer-songwriter Beverley Martyn ended in divorce, and he began to withdraw from the music industry. In the 1980s, his health began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

Despite his physical and emotional struggles, Martyn continued to write and record music. In the 1990s, he released a series of comeback albums, including Cooltide (1991) and Couldn't Love You More (1997). These albums were met with critical acclaim and helped to reintroduce Martyn to a new generation of fans.

However, Martyn's health continued to decline, and in 2006, he was diagnosed with emphysema. He died in 2009 at the age of 60. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire and move people around the world.

Small Hours is a must-read for fans of John Martyn and for anyone interested in the dark side of addiction and the power of redemption. Graeme Thomson has written a sensitive and insightful biography that captures the essence of a complex and troubled artist.

Praise for Small Hours

"A heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting account of a musical genius who battled addiction and personal demons." —The Guardian

"Thomson has written a definitive biography of one of the most important and influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century." —Mojo

"A must-read for fans of John Martyn and for anyone interested in the dark side of addiction and the power of redemption." —Rolling Stone

About the Author

Graeme Thomson is a music journalist and author who has written for The Guardian, Mojo, and Rolling Stone. He is the author of several books, including Under the Radar: The Unauthorized History of Pink Floyd and A Song for Europe: The Eurovision Song Contest and National Identity.

Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn

by Graeme Thomson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3061 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	281 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	93 pages

FREE