John’s agreement with Voiceprint Records saw two live CDs released on 22 May 2001 to coincide with the tour; Live in Germany and Live at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal. These releases were quickly followed by others aimed at the serious John Martyn collector where sound quality came second to being able to have hard to find recordings. Live at the Town and Country Club (Collectors Series Vol:1) was released on 13th August 2001. Sweet Certain Surprise was an official release on 15 October 2001 of a circulating bootleg from 1977 and that was quickly followed by another official release of a circulating bootleg as Collectors Series Vol:3 Live at the Bottom Line in New York 1983 that was released on 19 November 2001. The sound quality was not ideal but John was at least receiving royalties rather than the bootleggers! More archive releases followed but it was 2004 before fans had any new studio material.
2003 brought John further health problems and the devastating news that his right leg needed to be amputated due an infection and circulation issues augmented by a bakers cyst. Surgery was carried out in Ireland and his fans rallied and sent him unprecedented messages of support via johnmartyn.com. The BBC commenced filming of a documentary called Johnny Too Bad including footage before and after the amputation that culminated in John’s successful return to the stage at Connolly’s of Leap in Ireland in November 2003.
Four years after the release of John’s last studio album ‘Glasgow Walker, John returned with his 22nd studio album entitled On The Cobbles on 26 April 2004 through Independiente.
The new album was recorded at various studios in the UK and US including Woolengrange in Ireland, The Toolshed, Chicago USA, Doon The Cellar, Birkenhead, Swan Yard Studios, London, Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, Hornyold Road Studios, Worcestershire and at The Caliope Recorders, Chicago USA.
Produced and engineered by Jim Tullio and Garry Pollitt, On The Cobbles includes collaborations with ex-Verve guitarist Nick McCabe on Walking Home; fellow label mate in the past on both Go! Discs and Independiente, Paul Weller, appeared on Under My Wing , and the legendary Mavis Staples, lead singer of the Staple Singers appeared as guest vocalist on final track, Goodnight Irene.
August 2006 saw the release on the BBC In Session CD featuring classic archive performances from the 1970s which was followed in 2007 by the release of BBC Live in Concert. Split over 2 CDs were performances from 1971 to 1981 providing an excellent document of a decade of John’s live music. Another fantastic BBC DVD release came in August 2006 entitled simply John Martyn At The BBC. A wonderful DVD packed full of footage from Old Grey Whistle Test sessions and full length live performances – a must have release!
John continued to tour extensively and in September 2006 on his own birthday performed the whole of Solid Air at The Barbican in London in the Don’t Look Back Series.
In February 2008 John was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and performed May You Never and Over The Hill with his band and an extra special guest; John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin on mandolin to an exclusive audience. May You Never was subsequently included on the Universal Music release Ain’t No Saint in 2008. The 4CD box featuring one song from each of John’s studio albums and previously unheard out takes and rare live performances.
John toured again at the end of 2008 performing the whole of Grace and Danger to critical acclaim by fans and the music press. In the New Years Honours List John was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Unfortunately he was not able to receive the honour in person.
After a number of years of poor health January 2009 brought devastating news.
John contracted pneumonia and passed away at home in Ireland on 29 January 2009. The news was announced on his own website johnmartyn.com; “With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning.” These were the heartfelt words that webmaster John Hillarby used to announce to the world that John had passed away. Within a very few minutes the sad news had spread all over the world and was 
frontpage news on the BBC website. An incredible wave of loss and mourning flowed across the music industry. Fans and fellow musicians were deeply affected by John’s passing. A Condolence Book was made available on johnmartyn.com and thousands upon thousands of messages were left for John’s family. These messages were later published with just a handful of copies being produced for John’s close friends and family.
John had been working on a new album at the time of his death with a working title of Willing To Work. The album was completed posthumously by his close friend and producer Gary Pollitt who had spent many years recording and working with John at his home in Ireland. In the latter stages Gary worked with Chicago based producer Jim Tullio and the album was mixed in Chicago and was finally released on 16 May 2011 entitled Heaven and Earth. The songs are autobiographical and moving, providing an account of the last few years of John’s life.
Folk? Blues? Jazz? Rock? Reggae? Trip Hop? Funk? John refused to conform to any particular music genre whilst simultaneously embracing them all. Without fail he always took the less travelled road in search of new experiences and inspirations. The diversity and quality of John’s music is undeniably stunning. John was an exceptionally intelligent and gifted man. He loved life and lived it to the full. We all miss having his gigs to look forward to however we are fortunate to have such a tremendous musical legacy to enjoy and remember him by.
A virtuoso musician with a voice to melt the coldest of hearts.
Put simply John Martyn is unique.
John Hillarby
An Introduction in loving memory of Iain David McGeachy (aka John Martyn) 11 September 1948 – 29 January 2009.
