John Martyn "Big Muff"

[iggypopshot]

Danny Thomsons face at 3.45 is pure Fucking genius in the zone

[2002trigger]

90000 hits1 SAYS IT ALL IT DESERVES 5000000 PLUS but hey i guess thats why we know more!

[destructivedandy]

I love how on one Rock Goes To College gig he describes this as his romantic song ;)

[destructivedandy]

John and Danny were heavenly together, even though I believe it could often be hellish! haha

[Chrisg1950]

John Martyn at his best......fantastic music and a real showman. To see him live was a privilidge. Little Soho clubs in the 60's pure magic. Thanks JM.

[BabiiaJoelaa177]

héhè_Ì_fëÈl_sö_løNêly_tÖDÃÿ

[iggypopshot]

Fucking legend....deservedly so...miss you big man

[silvanski]

spectacular version, on the same level as John's solo gig in Rockpalast

[rossmc72]

i'm a bassist and this is some fine playing by danny thompson! what a tune john on git and danny on bass, the outcome was always going to be good.

[shemanic1]

I of my TOP all time tunes, Love it

[stevobath]

I think you can take it any way. Could be coke,pussy or whatever....Fantastic!

[shemanic1]

@stevobath I am sure it was about powders

[tuktik99]

@shemanic1 Apparently, it's a song about John Martyn's scarf !

[destructivedandy]

@tuktik99 Coke, his scarf, the pedal or Beverley's vagina! You decide :)

[panzermort]

@tuktik99 lmao

[Acidgreens1000rr]

Wonderful 

[yakacm]

Amazing, miss you John, thanks for all the great music over the years, and many happy memories seeing you live down the years.

[mambamusic]

classacoustics

[corkeyguitarplayer1]

wow that is soul

corkey

[sanctuary1221]

needs more muff pedal

[dirtenelli]

best 6 minutes use of my life in years.

[flyingbluerabbit]

hehe, the bass player looks like John malkovich

[zengravy]

This song describes my whole drug-taking adolescence.. I had a guru.. and he was good.. and his name was John Martyn.. Jack the Lad.. smoke all the dope and drink all the booze.. quite a mantra.. hippie-nihilism.. Druicide.. thanks John.. x

[hyoscyamusniger25]

Great song, Great personality !!!

Does anyone knows if this version is in an album???

[jojomakatoto]

top banana, loving the big man!!!!!

[dollcakes]

fx pedal, scarf , pussy ??? who gives a fuck ????

god rest your soul you beautiful fucking geezer !!!!

[catweasel28]

Superlative version of John's dirtiest song. Despite what he called his scarf - and he must have been really blasted to gamble with Julian Cope;-} - 'muff' is still Scots slang for a lady's private parts. The lyrics seem pretty clear -slide it on down.

R.I.P big man!

[Hepox]

Dam Nice Version of this Song !!

[crocodileshoes2345]

pussy? fuzz fx? hate to disappoint, but this song is about a favourite old woolly scarf of john's that he acquired whilst staying on the isle of arran. john suffered particularly from the cold, especially in the drafty hallwall of his london apartment block, where he ran up and down stairs,wearing it wrapped around his head in the style of a multi-coloured bandage, in an effort to keep warm. he wore it everywhere he went for years, before losing it in a bet to julian cope in late 2006. ; )

[richardsim555]

@crocodileshoes2345 Incorrect mate! The song is actually about cocaine :). He's talking directly to his dealer, "Get away with your terrible stuff" then he says "Sleeps on the edge of a razor blade, sleeps on the edge of your beard, sleeps on the edge of my little switch blade" plus the obvious quotes which clearly highlight the fact he is talking about coke ;)

[oldboy194]

@crocodileshoes2345 how do you know that???

[DeliaSnagglefang]

Say what you want, Freud would have a joyful riot with these lyrics. Brilliant in every way. Powerful voice, great driving guitar, and NO one plays like Danny Thompson. What a team they made.

[LyraBB]

SHEEEEEEER GENIUS!

ACCOUSTIC HEAVEN

[JPYear5000]

loooool MUFF

[stealurface1976]

my fav version as well...what shows this from?

[TomartersFleggum]

This is taken from BBC's Transatlantic Sessions. It was repeated on BBC4 recently

[stealurface1976]

thanks!, dont get the channel myself

[AndPlus]

My favourite version of this song. Funky ass performance.

[drumgold23]

I always thought Big Muff / Powder Puff was about cocaine. If it isn't it should be. Lord knows you're trying to kill me...Whatever it's about, I love it. Long Live John Martyn.

[bobertthebadger]

John Martyn died in January....

[panzermort]

@bobertthebadger aye and what a loss

[electricragtime]

big muff is an effects pedal that john favoured

[kapo10wong]

You are right about the pedal but be in no doubt that this song, written by John with Lee "Scratch" Perry, is about PUSSY. The story goes that John wrote it the day after listening to Perry bragging endlessly about the ways he satisfied his many sexual conquests at the time. Lol.

[worddeep3]

i can imagine this being what 1989 1990

[strabbs1]

a big muff is a distorion effect john martin used for a lot of his recordings, it may be about another character, i dont know, but iam sure it was something to do with this particular effect he was know for using,unusualy, on an acoustic.........so there!

[nolittleboy]

Most caterempously

[nolittleboy]

Just for the record Scratch's wacky description of sexual union inspired Martyn, who was then working on his One World album; he thus wrote the song 'Big Muff', which Perry helped him record the next day.

[ma14011964long]

jesus, how the fuck did i miss this brilliant freak of brilliance.head up arse 2 long i suppose

[SONICLOBOTOMY]

truly unique. No one else sounds like this guy. He will be missed

[beansontoast1956]

The song is about a music manager in London in the 70s known as "Big Muff". If you listen to the words they fit!. Re J M reluctance to change character to suit Mr Muffs remodeling ideas.

Go John!.

Rob

[nolittleboy]

Your so wrong man this is about Lee Scratch Perry

[beansontoast1956]

Big Mff! Get away with your powder puff. Big Muff Cant you see I;ve had enough , Lord knows your trying to kill me, Lord knows your stiffling me.

[ma14011964long]

granted,but it took 2 to make this track special

[kapo10wong]

3.40 - 3.46 Lol - this is a musician (Danny) showing what it means to be in the groove. Genius.

[connordoh]

this is awesome! Anyone noticed how far hes standing away from the microphone? Powerful voice!

[ElliotJohnBigland]

just discovering you john even though you've been part of my parents massive music collection for decades your undoubtably my mom and dads favorite muscian, im looking forward to discovering all your great music its unfortunate i never knew how great your stuff was earlier in life, u'll be an inspiration to me for the future im sure of that, its a real shame i discoverd ur stuff after ur passing, cause ill never get to see you live. RIP JM

[panzermort]

@ElliotJohnBigland i feel the same way as I did not get to see him live, BUT we can be both thankful for his music, to say he is unique is somehow an underestimate

[Blindleoblake66]

Muff diving centre! Ha Ha love it!

[mahatanmacoat]

love john's playing, pure genious as always but check danny's base playing oot. what a partnership.

[Juberoos]

What is this song about?

[nedmobile]

bigmuff was one of johns favourd effects pedals.

[paleface9999]

what a a ***** musician

[paleface9999]

i hope once the man upstairs n john have had words

hes given john all the muff heaven can bring

[little69111]

this worlds a better place coz John Martyn was in it - fookin brilliant

[chadjonson86]

There is a town in County Donegal, Ireland called muff. this little town is on the coast of the atlantic ocean and happens to have a scuba diving centre in it... the muff diving centre. not sure if john ever made it to Muff, Co. Donegal but perhaps this was his inspiration for this song.

[cosmicwarrior287]

thank you for sharing that with us.

[robombob]

that is fucking class.

[theherbilgerbil2029]

brilliant,, book me up for a refresher cource

[plentyofouts]

Is this song about what i think it is??

[TharlamGyatso]

Aye.

How long's a bit of string?

[jdofb]

this might give you some idea lol i dunno how true it is but the source seemed reliable.

Perry pontificated about the art of sex before Blackwell's assembled guests at the breakfast table. Scratch's wacky description of sexual union inspired Martyn, who was then working on his One World album; he thus wrote the song 'Big Muff', which Perry helped him record the next day.

[therealLucianWolf]

yes its about a big hairy fanny

[TongQigong]

A big hairy Muffter!!!

[TongQigong]

Thinks so lol. what a guy!!!!

[jdofb]

i literaly just read that he died the death of a true legend that probably wont get the attention it desserves considering hes easily one of the best song writers the uk has ever produced sad day

[kapo10wong]

I need help folks - I have become addicted to this clip and can't get away. It is more intoxicating than the finest of Pakistan's black stuff - did he ever give a better rendition? Sheer perfection.

Aw Johhny boy, why did you have to go? Thank fuck for YouTube.

[SpliffPete]

what a brill song.. i remember seeing this on OGWT in the 70s

[jennbamboo]

I just LOVE the way Danny T blows JM a kiss at the end of this clip. It's almost as if he knew. RIP John Martyn, I've loved you all my life, seen you so many times and will miss you sorely. 'There's gonna be some sweet sounds coming down on the night shift'.

[mart3442]

Danny blows John a kiss because he loves the geezer!

[maxbrophy2007]

Going to miss you very much john. A awesome soul, who's music has and will go on to influence and touch people around the world. Rest In Peace

[HOTWAFFLEWOMAN]

Hey, what a sad loss, feel like I've lost a friend that's been with me my whole life - listened to the man for over 30 years, he was unsurpassed and filled every space in your head with the most amazing music..absolute class...the world won't be the same without you John...RIP

[GANGARENE]

Brilliant John...just brilliant...give it laldie ower by son...give it fucking laldie....

Cheers pal.

[domdedom01]

incredible mood and sound he passed to so many of us, which, marked our memories...a sad loss...but a great history! lots love r.i.p. x

[zionbobweed]

nobody could come within an inch of the talent or character or drink a true man among us big john wayne gonna measure you up one for the road big yin bless

[bellum52]

This man was stunning in concert, so long and thanks for all the fish.

[coastwalker]

RIP, thanks for Small Hours and all the rest

[stratfan]

RIP John

[kennyutoob]

RIP

[tiernza]

saw jm at sydney town hall about 1977-best concert ever!I love the bass on this. kevdog

[Slangebarnet]

What is this song about?

[richardsim555]

A gay guy

[powerman8787]

oh ja burnt

[shinytinhead]

pure thing class, love this so much,gorgeous.

[stardustman287]

these two are a classic tandem.

[p1nkr0ses]

I don't know about kings of leon but i think eddie vedder might be a fan!

[eArtrash]

does anybody else think of kings of leon when they hear this! i think kings of leon have definitely been influenced by this!?

[indigoinfusion]

ssssnnnnnnnnnoooooooooo

john is a top man, and danny...love this track one of my favourites

[STEVEFINNERTY]

beautiful..........

[knibscratch]

Best song I have heard for ages,just ordered the cd with this song on but I bet it's not as good as this performance.....Fab!

Danny thinks he has missed his cue at 3.18

[baronvonrich]

john is fucking god tho. I sen him bout 12 times. sometimes hes with big drunk shouty one and loves you, sometimes hes ripped me, wether positive or negative hes always humble human cant make that noise godly

[baronvonrich]

the "crude device" whatever the fuck IS big muff.

Its not big women fange but his guitar pause echo god machine

[drummiedan]

super good.

[AK2927]

Great song, and a great version, but there's a better version in Rock Goes To College where John is sitting down and there's a crude (by today's standards) reel-to-reel tape device playing at his feet

[mart3442]

The "crude reel-to-reel tape device" is an Echoplex.

It still has'nt been bettered to this ady.

[bob1957]

I remember watching this on BBC Scotland when it was first transmitted. Wonderful stuff - the Sunshine Boys at their very best - hopefully somebody will post them playing May You Never with Jools Holland on Later?

[jackcairns]

way ahead of everyone

burstin at the seems

wi lovebound wantin

holdmenowlovedmenowicantwaitte­llmeanywaysweetbababy

now we are living on solid air

[davidspence1]

Absolutely brilliant!

[geraberl]

Used to see him play at The Town and Country Club in Kilburn, late 80's early 90's. I still think there are few that can touch him, if any.

[micklathrop]

What a perfect combination of talents.

[johnjosephgreenwood]

It doesn't get any more original than this.

[Lexflop]

Ledgend

[rossking]

The Sunshine Boys at their best!

[mauvefilter]

Smiles

[beggarsroost]

Wonderful

[yhz22]

THIS is great more JOHN Martyn ! :)