Gavin Martin

Gavin Martin

Late NME, Daily Mirror and Classic Rock writer Gavin Martin started writing about music in 1977 when he published his hand-written fanzine Alternative Ulster in Belfast. He moved to London in 1980 to become the NME’s Media Editor and features writer, where he interviewed the Sex Pistols, Joe Strummer, Pete Townshend, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Ian Dury, Killing Joke, Neil Young, REM, Sting, Marvin Gaye, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, James Brown, Willie Nelson, Willie Dixon, Madonna and a host of others. He was also published in The Times, Guardian, Independent, Loaded, GQ and Uncut, he had pieces on Michael Jackson, Van Morrison and Frank Sinatra featured in The Faber Book Of Pop and Rock ’N’ Roll Is Here To Stay, and was the Daily Mirror’s regular music critic from 2001. He died in 2022. 

Latest articles by Gavin Martin

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Walter Trout: The Blues Came Callin'

By Gavin Martin published

Veteran bluesman delivers an album that stares down his own mortality.

Albums
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Big Joe Turner: Live 1983

By Gavin Martin published

King of the blues shouters captured in still-peerless form.

Albums
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Ian Siegal: Man & Guitar

By Gavin Martin published

Preeminent British bluesman caught live at Bluesfest 2013.

Albums
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You want punk? The Bermondsey Joyriders have it

By Gavin Martin published

With a story that stretches well back into the 1970s, The Bermondsey Joyriders might just be the most punk band you've never heard

Bands & Artists
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Stacie Collins: Shinin’ Live!

By Gavin Martin published

Nashville-bred country-blues rocker rips it up in Kendal.

Albums
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Paul Allen And The Underthinkers: Everywhere At Once

By Gavin Martin published

Mircrosoft founder makes guest-star-studded debut.

Albums
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Walter Trout & His Band: Luther’s Blues: A Tribute To Luther Allison

By Gavin Martin published

Incandescent six-string salute from New Jersey survivor.

Albums
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The Saints: King Of The Sun

By Gavin Martin published

Punk veteran’s jangle-inflected midlife Renaissance.

Albums
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Eric Clapton: Old Sock

By Gavin Martin published

Guest star-studded nostagia fest from Slowhand.

Albums
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Steve Earle & The Dukes (And Duchesses): The Low Highway

By Gavin Martin published

Veteran digs into travelling tales for 15th studio album.

Albums
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Devon Allman: Turquoise

By Gavin Martin published

Southern rock royalty offspring’s solo debut.

Albums
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Robin Trower: Roots And Branches

By Gavin Martin published

Revered axeman pays homage to his formative influences.

Albums
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Gary Moore: Blues For Jimi

By Gavin Martin published

2007 live Hendrix tribute from late, great Belfast guitarist.

Albums
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Don Felder: Road To Forever

By Gavin Martin published

Acrimonously axed Eagle’s second solo album.

Albums
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Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 – So Glad You Made It

By Gavin Martin published

Edited highlights of the recent nine-CD live boxset.

Bands & Artists
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Chris Robinson Brotherhood: The Magic Door

By Gavin Martin published

Jazzy psychedelia and more.

Bands & Artists
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Caravan: All Over You And You Too

By Gavin Martin published

Canterbury legends revisit their early classics.

Bands & Artists
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Skunk Anansie: Black Traffic

By Gavin Martin published

Skin and co reap dividends on their first self-released album.

Albums
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Hawkwind: 77

By Gavin Martin published

Anarcho hippie acid heads fight the Punk Wars.

Albums
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The Levellers: Static On The Radio

By Gavin Martin published

Raggle-taggle rebels find ferocious form on tenth album.

Albums
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Producers: Made In Basing Street

By Gavin Martin published

Trevor Horn, Lol Creme and chums come out from behind the recording console.

Albums
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BB King: Live At The Royal Albert Hall 201

By Gavin Martin published

Blues legend in laid-back form, with guests including Slash and Ronnie Wood.

Concerts & Shows
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Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls

By Gavin Martin published

Homage is where the heart is.

Tracks & Singles
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Chuck Prophet: Temple Beautiful

By Gavin Martin published

Green On Red man’s ode to San Francisco.

Bands & Artists
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Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings: Live Communication

By Gavin Martin published

Seventy-five-year-old former Stone continues to roll.

Concerts & Shows
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