I’ve never been too sure about the numbers thing when it comes to names. I mean, I remember from my philosophy classes that names signify something (Thomas Hobbes unless I’m much mistaken), but what about numbers? Dave Clark Five, Alabama Three, Temperance Seven, Three Mustaphas Three, Gang of Four, Brora 30, Birmingham Six, 7 Eleven, Three Dog Night, Colt 45 – I’m sure the list is almost endless. But what do all these numbers really mean? And if you add them up then what do you get?
In the case of Martins 4 then the answer has to be a convenient handle for a random collection of four very accomplished guitarists, each with their own distinctive styles and audiences. The question has to be asked, “Why bring them together”? If you were a whisky blender you might baulk at throwing together a powerful and temperamental Islay (Juan Martin) with a feisty islander (Martin Carthy), a sublime Speyside (Martin Taylor) and a fourth malt that didn’t quite know what it was (Martin Simpson) in equal proportions. Yet the result is certainly, as a good blend should be, more than the sum of its parts, whether by accident or good fortune.