TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Play "A Sailor's Life" - fantastic drumming...

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I second that!I always loved Martin's drumming.Very accomplished for his young age.Gone way to soon.

Meet on the Ledge............

40 years, its hard to believe that time can go so quickly
I dont think many people hereabouts need telling just how good Martin's drumming was, but its always nice to get a reminder

Extraordinary drumming for sure, but there was so much more, of course.  

That's the real sad part.  Even with Sandy's untimely death, she was here long enough to give us some insights about her.  By contrast, Martin is but an enigma - very little stuff to go by.  Not enough tales to formulate an impression of sorts.

For most of us, he can only remain the little drummer boy in the leaves.

...but several recorded tracks that are still with us, will be played in remembrance these coming days, I'm sure.
I will!

Can only agree with all the above

I love the drumming on their version of "Suzanne".

I remember when we were first working on 'Suzanne' (yes it was part of the repertoire in the first incarnation) and how the hairs stood up on the back of my neck when Martin came up with that bit of drumming.. still gives me the shivers... as does the drumming on 'Violets of Dawn' 8)

.... and Autopsy... a great legacy to leave behind for one so very very young

It's time I gave some of those early tracks another spin, I think. Autopsy is a favourite of mine.  :(

I've just given "Violets of Dawn" a spin to refresh the memory, and how right you are, Jude.

I'm with J. O'D; "A Sailor's Life" for me.

Particularly the pre Swarb version of Sailor released on Watching the Dark.  The drums own it brilliantly - no question!

Totally agree.  His drumming is what got me into Fairport.  I think FC lost some of their magic with his passing.

Well those were very special days... his playing with Ashley Hutchings was always really inventive... They made a great jazz rhythm section let alone a folk/rock one... Cheers Martin!!

I think that's going a little too far - DM has his own brand of magic.

I agree about Martin's drumming on Suzanne - his clever part makes that cover a classy version.

Jules

I'm glad you said that Jules. I hadn't said anything because I did not want to appear disrespectful. Not to diminish Martin's drumming in any way but I love DM. The circumstances of his joining the band were sad but he brought a real power and excitement to Fairport's sound, particularly on the run of albums from House Full through Babbacombe Lee.

Not to mention Gerry Conway...his world music approach to percussion is very fresh and a joy to hear.

DM is one of the top ten rock/folk/jazz drummers of the past thirty years. An absolute star and a fine chap into the bargain. No doubt about it. I love his drumming.

Gerry C is another terrifically powerful inventive and tight drummer... I still think his best work was with Fotheringay but he remains a great drummer.

This ain't a competition. Just a feeling about Martin's sad passing, his fantastic ability already at such a young age and an appreciation of his work.

Well said. ;)

Well said, indeed.  And lets not forget, Bruce, either.  Sadly, missing in action from the kit these days, he was the drummer in Fairport when I got into them and I still love his style.  

(Even after reading just about everything there is about Fairport) I know virtually nothing of Martin except the music.  He was an inventive drummer...that much I do know.  

Saw FAC at Portsmouth last night. Simon said it was forty years to the very night since the accident and gave a very emotional intro to and rendition of MOTL.

can't agree more .. a very personal insight from Simon and a very special MOTL made the evening a fitting tribute . Well done Simon

When you think about the number of musicians who have hastened their own demise through drink and drugs or have taken their own lives it is all the more tragic to consider those who have been taken from us through no fault of their own.

The other name which comes to mind in similar circumstances is bass player Cliff Burton of Metallica. He died in 1986 when the band's tour bus overturned in Sweden. Only 24 years old. I mention him as I saw Metallica at Castle Donington in 85 but I was at nursery school when Martin died.

Just listening to No Man's Land. Some fine drumming there. Hints of Keith Moon?

Anyone know who Martin's drumming heroes were?

Some time ago, I was able to acquire a copy of fascinating booklet written by Kingsley Martin, a school friend of Martin Lamble who was very closely associated with the early FC. It's called "Fairportfolio" and is essentially his impressions of those early days. It contains some personal recollections of Martin Lamble by Kingsley and a two page technical analysis of his drumming style by Ian Maun, "reprinted from The Ledge".

Kingsley ends his appreciation of Martin: "The child would have grown up to be a very fine adult."

 I don't know whether Kingsley still has this available. Jude might know I suppose.

I think he has more or less sold out now. He gave me some to sell here a while ago and I raised a considerable amount of money for Greyhounds In Need from doing so... It was a great book. Next time I talk to him I'll ask him if he is going to do an updated version... :)

"Fairportfolio" is excellent...Kingsley Abbott's great recollections of being there during the early days of FC - includes memories of the very 1st FC gig, his friendship with Martin, and choosing the music for Martin's funeral (Turn ! Turn ! Turn ! by The Byrds). Also (for Beach Boys fanatics) check out Kingsley's later anthology Back To The Beach: A Brian Wilson And The Beach Boys Reader ; very well put together.

"Fairportfolio", a very nice book on the early FC times, is still found in the FC Shop, at the very bottom of the merch section, where you can find the ordering address:

http://www.fairportconvention.com/catalogue.php?cmsCategoryID=12&DisplayType=DisplayCatContents

Hopefully there are a few copies left !  :)

I think Martin's best drumming can be heard on the alternate take of "A Sailor's Life" found on RT's "Watching The Dark" box set. RT's guitar playing and Martin's drumming on that track is truly astonishing. I get the general feeling that not enough people have heard this take - really heavy!

J

Good call.