Live At Leeds (Deluxe Edition)

Recorded at Leeds University in February 1975 and released in 1976 in a limited edition by John Martyn himself, Live At Leeds is now one of the most essential of Martyn’s many studio and live releases. This Deluxe Edition includes the entire 1975 concert as well as rehearsal tapes. The spellbinding intuition between Martyn and bassist Danny Thompson is the height of soulful musicianship. The extended workout of  “Outside In”  (both the official concert take and the rehearsal take) turns the music into pure cinema, with a climax and denouement that define Martyn’s guitar wizardry that includes touches of experimental jazz and treated guitar effects. The original album was merely a snapshot of the concert, with the first reissue adding several numbers (“So Much In Love With You,” “Clutches,” “Mailman”) that include special guest, Free guitarist Paul Kossoff. This collection goes even further. Martyn’s biggest “hit,” “May You Never” is worked through in concert and in rehearsal with the same immaculate precision. The banter between musicians makes this feel very much like a special piece of audio verite.