Martin Belmont
Encyclopedia
Martin Belmont is a rock 'n' roll and country-blues guitarist.
After working as a roadie for Brinsley Schwarz
, in 1972 he formed Ducks Deluxe
, issuing two albums on RCA. In 1975 he was a founding member of Graham Parker and the Rumour, who were much-feted over their five years and six albums; The Rumour
recorded another three on their own. Then he spent two years from 1980 as guitarist for Carlene Carter
, succeeded by five years with Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit, in both line-ups playing alongside Paul Carrack
.
Belmont continued as an in-demand sideman across a wide spectrum of music, with sessions for Elvis Costello
, Billy Bragg
, Carl Perkins
, Jona Lewie
, John Hiatt
, Desmond Decker, Johnny Cash
, Eddie Grundy and others.
In 1995 Demon Records issued his first solo album, Big Guitar. His first manager and old friend Dave Robinson then suggested he should invite former band-mates to provide vocals on his next recording, resulting in Belmont recording songs with Carrack, Nick Lowe
, Carlene Carter
, Graham Parker
, Sean Tyla
, Geraint Watkins
, Hank Wangford
, Johnny Nicky, Barbara Marsh and Reg Meuross
. Much of the album The Guest List was recorded at Goldtop Studio, with a 'house band' featuring Roy Dodds
, Kevin Foster and Howard Hughes. The album was released on Goldtop Recordings/Jungle Records in September 2009 with a launch concert at Dingwalls
, Camden featuring performances by most of the album's guest singers.
Currently Belmont is playing in Los Pistoleros, The Johnny Nicky Band, Hank Wangford and The Lost Cowboys and the newly reformed Ducks Deluxe.
The Guest List Gold Top Recordings: AU79CD003
Tracks:
After working as a roadie for Brinsley Schwarz
Brinsley Schwarz
Brinsley Schwarz were a 1970s English pub rock band, named after their guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. With Nick Lowe on bass and vocals, keyboardist Bob Andrews and drummer Billy Rankin, the band evolved from the 1960s pop band Kippington Lodge.-Formation:...
, in 1972 he formed Ducks Deluxe
Ducks Deluxe
Ducks Deluxe were an English pub rock band of the 1970s, who have recently reformed. Usually called "The Ducks" by their fans, they were known for up-tempo, energetic performances, and the successful careers of their members, after they disbanded.-History:...
, issuing two albums on RCA. In 1975 he was a founding member of Graham Parker and the Rumour, who were much-feted over their five years and six albums; The Rumour
The Rumour
The Rumour were a British rock band in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known as the backup band for Graham Parker, whose early records were credited to Graham Parker & The Rumour...
recorded another three on their own. Then he spent two years from 1980 as guitarist for Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter is an American country singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith....
, succeeded by five years with Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit, in both line-ups playing alongside Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well...
.
Belmont continued as an in-demand sideman across a wide spectrum of music, with sessions for Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
, Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
, Jona Lewie
Jona Lewie
Jona Lewie is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Career:Jona Lewie joined his first group, The Johnston City Jazz Band, while still at school in 1963, and by 1968 had become a blues & boogie singer and piano player...
, John Hiatt
John Hiatt
John Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
, Desmond Decker, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, Eddie Grundy and others.
In 1995 Demon Records issued his first solo album, Big Guitar. His first manager and old friend Dave Robinson then suggested he should invite former band-mates to provide vocals on his next recording, resulting in Belmont recording songs with Carrack, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter is an American country singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith....
, Graham Parker
Graham Parker
Graham Parker is a British rock singer and songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the popular British band Graham Parker & the Rumour.-Early career :...
, Sean Tyla
Sean Tyla
Sean Tyla is an English rock guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, sometimes known as the “Godfather of Boogie”...
, Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
, Hank Wangford
Hank Wangford
Hank Wangford is a distinguished English country and western songwriter. Hank Wangford is the stage name of Dr. Samuel Hutt, . His music is notable for its humour and cheerful irony, and occasional excursions into biting political undercurrent....
, Johnny Nicky, Barbara Marsh and Reg Meuross
Reg Meuross
Reg Meuross is a notable English singer and songwriter based in Somerset, England.First emerging onto the British acoustic music scene when he formed The Panic Brothers withcomedian, Richard Morton, their witty songs and warm demeanour wowed many an audience...
. Much of the album The Guest List was recorded at Goldtop Studio, with a 'house band' featuring Roy Dodds
Roy Dodds
Captain Roy Edward Dodds was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
, Kevin Foster and Howard Hughes. The album was released on Goldtop Recordings/Jungle Records in September 2009 with a launch concert at Dingwalls
Dingwalls
Dingwalls is a venue adjacent to Camden Lock in London, England. It houses bars, cafes, clubs . The building itself is one of many industrial Victorian buildings that were put to new use in the 20th century. The original owner of the building, T.E...
, Camden featuring performances by most of the album's guest singers.
Currently Belmont is playing in Los Pistoleros, The Johnny Nicky Band, Hank Wangford and The Lost Cowboys and the newly reformed Ducks Deluxe.
The Guest List Gold Top Recordings: AU79CD003
Tracks:
- Paul Carrack - "My Baby's Gone"
- Johnny Nicky – "Time for the Sun to Rise"
- Nick Lowe – "A Man in Love" (original version)
- Sean Tyla – "Johnny Too Bad"
- Reg Meuross – "Seven Curses"
- Geraint Watkins – "Island of Dreams"
- Martin Belmont – "Get Rhythm"
- Carlene Carter – "Tall Lover Man"
- Martin Belmont – "Alison"
- Graham Parker – "In the Midnight Hour"
- Hank Wangford – "Waltzing with Sin"
- Martin Belmont – "I Viberate"
- Barbara Marsh – "Beyond the Blue Horizon".