martynjoseph.com
we try to make it more then just a home page for a singer/songwriter, more than an attempt to advertise gigs and sell CDs. We hope this is a place where we can share ideas and resources, a common goal and find ways to make a difference.
Martyn Joseph is a performer like no other. Shades of Springsteen, Knopfler and Dave Matthews there may be - but he stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives.
One of acoustic music’s most arresting artists, the Welsh singer songwriter has been in demand on both sides of the Atlantic for over two decades. Martyn..s 25 year career has embraced some notable achievements including 5 Top 50 UK chart positions, with such songs as Dolphins Make Me Cry, Working Mother and Let..s Talk About it in the Morning, and appearances and tours with, amongst others, Suzanne Vega, Marc Cohn, Joan Armatrading, Runrig, Clannad, Chris de Burgh, Art Garfunkel, Jools Holland and even Celine Dion and Shirley Bassey. He has won fans everywhere with his uncanny fusion of material –feisty, pull no punches big issue numbers alongside stripped bare love songs.
Martyn..s particular strength is in the lyrical narrative of his songs, be they contemporary protests against injustice and inhumanity, a musical psalm to the fulfilment and fragilities of love, or a piercing précis of social history, “It..s the song that can soothe, explain or even in a small way save us”. In this manner he carries on in the tradition of the six string balladeer as both catalyst and interpreter of our raddled and rewarding times, our personal and communal stories sung out loud in the spirit of Woody Guthrie, Ewan MacColl, Hank Williams and Bruce Springsteen.
Voted Best Male Artist at the 2004 BBC Welsh Music Awards and with a string of humanitarian plaudits and awards, he’s a mean guitar player with one of the most powerful voices on the circuit crafting songs with, as the BBC..s Bob Harris put it, “outstanding lyrical intelligence”.
Across a 25-year career, and having released his 29th album Vegas in September 2007, Martyn..s song catalogue is an awesomely impressive archive of our times, our tribulations, our wonder and our wounds. One reviewer after seeing Martyn in concert likened the experience and content to “the beautiful business of being alive with all it..s jokes, absurdity and sadness, seared by music for the heart and head”.
Always charming, sometimes alarming, Martyn Joseph is a unique songwriter who digs deep and delivers an ultimate, life affirming message. One of the most unusual and compelling performers you are likely to encounter.
Most recent studio album - Evolved - MoJo Folk Album of the Month - March 09 - 4 stars
Rebirth of the singer songwriter tradition
The folk world has never fully embraced the Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph - perhaps never forgiving him for having a hit with a song about dolphins 15 years ago. That..s a great shame because, with a voice reminiscent of Ralph McTell, Joseph encapsulates many of folk..s old values with stirring songs of social issues and yes, even protest. The "The Welsh Springsteen" tag may be somewhat of a misnomer, but he..s a brave and engaging live performer and this is a courageously sparse, stripped-down and entirely solo work which finds him revisiting and reinventing some of the songs that have helped bring him thus far. Among them, the prostitute..s defiance in Working Mother, the miscarriage of justice resulting in the hanging of Dic Penderyn in 1831 and the bewilderment of the miner..s son in Please Sir are all the more dramatic when delivered with such stark bareness.
Hi Martyn! I really enjoyed hearing you for the first time in CT last week...beautiful show, great entertainer (You're a riot!) Look forward to hearing you again!
Hey Martyn, I'm loving the videos you have on here. I've seen you a bunch of times over the past ten years, having first seen you when you supported Belinda Carlisle at Beverley Playhouse in 1999 if I remember rightly! I look forward to seeing you again later this year when you swing by Pocklington in Yorkshire. Until then, take care and keep rockin'!
Thank you so much Martyn for honoring us with your precious friendship and for your kind comments.... We hope that you are having a wonderful morning and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again......
Hi Martyn! Just passing by to wish you a great weekend:)! (I'd love you to check out our 'Lorraine':)! Wishing you good luck & all the best from Paul:)!
Thanks so much for the visit and your support glad you enjoyed it :-) Check back with me for new music coming your way! I'm glad we are friends! I like your awesome tracks I like your page great job, have a wonderful week-end.
Bonjour Martyn Thanks for the friendly add and message Beautiful songs and music I really appreciate it (like your sound) Best wishes from France Pascal
Defiance of god live. Patrick Jones album launch. 30th May Chapter arts centre, live on stage Steve Balsamo, Patrick Jones, LSD Highs and D x - our bodies are broken but they will never take our souls. D x
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