Willing to Work - at the crossroads.

The news that John Martyn is to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards on February 4th was announced recently and of course everybody agrees that it is about time. Even better news is that John is recovering from his recent bout of illness and is determined to get down to London to play at the Awards, the band is playing too so we wish John well and hope that his fitness continues to improve so that he can take his rightful place on the night.

The news on the long awaited new record - "Willing to Work" is that there is a big debate going on as to whether the keyboard layered takes of the songs should be finished for the album, or whether to go back and re-record with acoustic guitar and piano. The inevitable result is that the record is going to be a little longer in the making, but from what I've heard, it will be worth the wait. The dilemma facing the production team is a complex one - there are many voices who want to hear John Martyn playing acoustic music, yet John has been recording with the band, and they have already put down some pretty pleasing music with strong inputs from Spencer Cozens' keyboards - indeed Spencer is often in there at the outset, playing along with John as he sings the new songs for the first time, and I suspect that John likes these takes.

Personally, I would declare on the the side of the keyboard versions - although I haven't heard the acoustic tracks as such, it is the power of the music - the big sound that Spencer (or indeed Foster Patterson) and the band get in the live environment that most appeals to me about John's music, and John's electric guitar can bring me to tears. Gilly suggested putting out 2 versions of some of the songs on the same album, which would be fascinating, but the thought of having to finish 2 versions of everything might be a step too far at this stage!

Perhaps going back to pure acoustic music would be too much like a step back in time for John Martyn, who has after all been innovative throughout his career, and has never shied away from doing what he wants to do, I don't know where his heart lies, maybe he wants to return to his folk roots.

So thats my tuppence worth - I'm hoping to spark a debate because I know that the folks "Doon the Cellar" are listening and maybe John is too - any offers?