Lilac Tree

 Martin Stephenson is one of the many artists who broke

through in the early eighties and who has managed to retain

not only his fan base but also his credibility despite the fact

that his career has taken a number of twists and turns and

seen him move with ease from eighties pop through to roots

music and a few other stops in between. Born in County

Durham on the 27th July 1961, Martin first became aware of

music as a teenager. In fact it was down to an older friend at

a youth club that the young Martin first heard the music of

Frank Zappa. Other influences however were about to be

brought to bear as Punk exploded across the nation and

Martin was fired up enough over the 'anyone can do it' ethic

to take up the guitar himself.

Whilst working as a carpet fitter by day Martin was during the

evening playing guitar in his first band the Strange Relations.

By the age of nineteen and yet another dead end day job,

Martin heard Runaway Boys by the Stray Cats on the radio

and was inspired enough to give up his day job and fully

immerse himself in music by at first busking on the streets.

Shortly after however Martin formed the Daintees and things

began to move quickly. By 1982 the band were recording and

were one of the first bands to sign to the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

label Kitchenware who released the band's debut single Roll

On Summertime. Shortly after Martin and the band signed to

the major London Records Label.

Following the break up of the Daintees, Martin headed out on

a tour of Highland café's and folk clubs, which was probably a

kick against the commercial direction the record label, had

wanted Martin to move in. By the time of his album Yogi In

My House Martin had signed with the independent Demon

records label. The album was again an eclectic affair although

considered by many to be one of his best albums. The albums

featured tracks such as Dance The Last Goodbye and Gone

The Gypsy Davey, which reflected Martin's roots influences.

The album also contained performances from friends like

Jools Holland and more importantly Pauline Murray who

herself was another native of the North East and had fronted

the punk band Penetration. The album was one of two

released in 1995 the other album being Sweet Misdemeanour.

The rootsier side of Martin's influences however have never

been far from the surface and indeed as far back as the debut

with the Daintees on Boat To Bolivia there had been a track

dedicated to The Reverend Gary Davis (Tribute To The Late

Gary Davis).

Lilac Tree is an album from 2000 and one of Martin's more

acoustic based recordings. Lilac Tree was originally available

via Martin's website as a limited edition of just 1,000 copies

which were quickly sold out. Unavailable for sometime this

recording has been re mastered for release.

SEARCH BY ARTIST