Iain David McGeachy, known professionally as John Martyn, was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a 40-year career, he released 23 studio albums, and received frequent critical acclaim. The Times described him as "an electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between folk, jazz, rock and blues".
Martyn in 1978
John Martyn performs at the Barbican Centre, London 2008.
Martyn in 2006
The folk music of England is a tradition-based music which has existed since the later medieval period. It is often contrasted with courtly, classical and later commercial music. Folk music traditionally was preserved and passed on orally within communities, but print and subsequently audio recordings have since become the primary means of transmission. The term is used to refer both to English traditional music and music composed or delivered in a traditional style.
Original score of Pastime with Good Company (c. 1513), held in the British Library, London.
The first page of an 1840 printed version of "Barbara Allen" one of the most widely collected English language folk ballads.
Cecil Sharp
Pentangle performing in 1969