THE music of Nick Drake and John Martyn will be celebrated in a haunting and beautifully unique concert by Keith James at Newport memorial hall on October 19.

John Martyn OBE, albeit a maverick and a wildcard, was an incredibly sensitive songwriter with a knowledge and natural ability on guitar that was effortless; a tradition passed down to him through the new folk movement of the 1960’s populated by Davy Graham, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn.

His songs always float perfectly in that existential space that is loving and personal; not rejecting a folk style but on a cloud of their own, unique and encapsulated within the emotions of one Man. John’s highest artistic period was in the early 1970’s during which he released his most contagious and listened to Album ‘Solid Air’ (written for Nick Drake), his finest and much remembered collection.

Nick Drake was a friend of John’s throughout the short but brilliant time he spent as a singer/songwriter and recording artist. Nick was hardly noticed at the time; overshadowed by many other more strident artists during an incredibly influential period in popular music.

It was only over the past decade that his perfect, fragile songs and his intricate guitar style have been discovered or re-discovered by a more restful, greying and understanding audience worldwide and his genius has been fully appreciated.

Nick Drake is now revered and loved the world over. He died in 1974.

Keith James has played nearly a thousand concerts celebrating this wonderful music. His concerts have never been considered as a tribute, much more a personal and intimate performance of something uniquely beautiful that can otherwise no longer be heard in a live context.

Doors open at 7.15pm, tickets, £12, are available Newport tourist information, Long St, NP 01239 820912, Newport Wholefoods, and at www.wegottickets.com.