Grosvenor House Publishing Limited Sweet Honesty - The Beverley Martyn Story

No doubt that Ms. Martyn had plenty of experiences in the music business (notably due to her abusive ex-husband John), and these may draw a reader to this memoir. The book reads like the edited oral history it is, but there is no sparing the rod where her own issues (notably those of mental health) are concerned. It seems apparent that her personality made her especially susceptible to masochism and self-blame, and one is moved by the various "slings and arrows" she has encountered. She pleads a great deal, yet maintains some sense of responsibility alongside her pain, so that one retains a sense of empathy, perhaps to the point of self-identification. It is a pity that her song writing became impossible during her recovery; one is curious as to how her music would have developed in a happier personal atmosphere. (There is a CD of relatively recent vintage for those who are interested.) I'm glad that she has endured as a survivor of a variety of individual difficulties.

Not really sure what to say about this. I've known for about 30 years that John Martyn had been abusive to Beverley. It was no secret on the south coast of England, though details were scant. I suppose it's right that she puts her story across, to give a rounded portrait of John. Not sure how rounded this one is, as it concentrates primarily on his control ansd violence (verbal and physical). I'm not clear that Beverley's grasp of psychology is terrific - she seems to blame JM's violence on his being Glaswegian. Ok, there are some hardmen in Glasgow, but not the entire population! Although she laments playing second fiddle to John during rheir life together, she doesn't give a lot of evidence that her potential was wasted. Certainly, her literary skills are questionnable. The book is packed with bathos - does someone interested in John and Beverley Martyn seriously need footnotes throughout this slim volume helpfully informing them as to who such obscure figures as Bert Jansch, Sandy Denny and, er, Bob Dylan might be? 3 stars for being a primary source, and for the pain she endured, but definitely not a great work in its own right.

Despite having made music with such notable worthies as Zep rocker Jimmy Page, folk rocker Richard Thompson and folkies Sandy Denny, Ralph McTell, Davy Graham and Bert Jansch along with others such as John Martyn, Beverley Martyn failed to hit the headlines which, assuming this would have rested easily with her, was a great shame. The above-mentioned, one-time husband, singer-songwriter John, who, whilst enjoying an ultimately well-deserved fantastic career playing his guitar-induced soundscapes and lilting love-songs, was, it says here, largely responsible for a decline and a musical hiatus of more than a decade in Beverley's career. The whole story is documented here personally with no holds barred. Be warned and have a happy book standing by with which to follow.

Good book quite sad reading in parts I liked both Beverly and John Pitt she hard to go through such hard times

Beverley Martyn was the great muse behind husband John Martyn's most beautiful and touching ballads. From her writing you can tell that this lady is obviously a very kind and deep thinking soul. Clearly life has dealt her some very cruel blows. This autobiography is a really interesting read but seems to end way too soon. I would have liked to have heard more about the songwriting, gigs, and people that came into their lives, such as the mysteriously fascinating Nick Drake and Bert Jansch. Her time in Woodstock in the late sixties, recording the Stormbringer album must have been amazing, especially meeting Dylan. It's hard to believe that someone so talented should be so overlooked. It's also really very sad and shocking to discover that a woman should have to suffer such terrible abuse from somebody who is generally conceived as a gentle, laid-back peace-loving musician.It is good to hear that she is back making music again. I wish her well.