The Disciples of Merle & Doc

 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).

The Disciples of Merle and Doc was another of Martin's more

roosty and acoustic albums from 2000 and was originally

available from Martin's website.

The album is a tribute to the music of Merle Travis and Doc

Watson and has proved to be one of Martin Stephenson's

more popular albums. This recording also features

performances by The Moonshiners and Tommy Beavitt on

fiddle and guitar and has been re mastered for release.

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