Live At Leeds

By the mid-‘70s, John Martyn had fully embraced experimental jazz modes, creating eerie and transfixing soundscapes with his echoplex-treated acoustic guitar. Live At Leeds (1976) affords a sustained glimpse of the sorcery this artist could conjure up in concert. Recorded at Leeds University in February 1975, the album was originally released in limited edition form by Martyn himself. The sound quality is uneven, but the performances are well worth the price of admission. Martyn and bassist Danny Thompson grab the listener’s attention immediately with a 19-minute version of “Outside In,” building from a slow, murmuring ripple to a stirring crescendo and falling back again. Such signature tunes as “Bless the Weather,” “Solid Air” and “The Man In the Station” are given incandescent treatments before the players cut loose for an extended “I’d Rather Be the Devil.” In re-released form, the album features a guest appearance by Free guitarist Paul Kossoff on “So Much In Love With You,” “Clutches” and “Mailman.” Martyn continued to put out live recordings until his passing in January 2009. Leeds is the essential one to have.