Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Songlines magazine #70 - Top of the World album review
Regarded as one of the most innovative Scottish musicians of his time on the back of albums such as 1998's Bothy Culture and 2003's Grit, Martyn Bennett died in 2005 following a long battle against cancer, robbing the music world of a truly protean talent. This album has its roots in the deeply traditional and strikingly modern - you'll find gorgeous solo violin as well as house-style keyboard rhythms and the dynamics of contemporary jazz. Much of the music comes from manuscripts written by Bennett, some when he was too ill to perform. After his death they were given to a number of musicians and arrangers to work with, and dominating the album are the two closing tracks - the dance medley of `Knives in Hens', on which Bennett's subtle arrangement of cross rhythms gathers up into a rollicking, 11-minute rush, and a long-planned but never-before realised performance of Bennett's `Piece for String Quartet, Percussion and Scottish Smallpipes in C'.
Mr McFall's Chamber are a group with a long association with Bennett, going back to 1998. They actually set out to record the piece on the day Bennett died. The session was abandoned, of course, and that it's only now been released, some five years after its composer's death, may open the music, and the listener, to some profound and unsettling reflections. The gorgeous `Swallowtale' and `Peewits' are also highlights - music which takes flight to the upper atmosphere.
© Tim Cumming
CD Description
Martyn Bennett was one of Scotland s most innovative musicians, combining the traditional and modern, the local and international. A long-planned collaboration with Mr McFall s Chamber was never realised during his tragically short lifetime. For their second disc with Delphian, Robert McFall has put together a programme of his own sympathetic arrangements of Martyn s music alongside original works by Fraser Fifi eld, another of Scotland s virtuosic musical innovators. The premiere recording of Martyn s Piece epitomises his sophisticated mastery of fusion.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Given his tragically short lifetime it is a real thrill to have new Martyn Bennett music to listen to and this album has not been a disappointment at all. It sounds great and the interpretations of tracks already available bring something extra, particularly Aye for me. And then there is the new music, the most significant being the `Piece' which I'm enjoying. For those already aware of his talents I'd think this is a must buy and for others it's an excellent introduction to his music, which years later I still find inspiring. Not to forget the two tracks by Fraser Fifield, Kilchoan Ferry is more immediately accessible to me, but The Beast sits very well on the album. As a whole Mr McFall's Chamber have produced a fine collection of work and captured the spirit of Martyn's music - and that is perhaps the most important thing. The only sad aspect is it makes one wonder what might have been.
Format:Audio CD
This album is quite different to many of the earlier Martyn Bennett albums, from where a few of the tracks are drawn. The electro-techno edge is softened, somewhat in the same direction as Bennett himself moved in his later couple of albums, but the intricate piping is well in evidence and the overall package is extremely pleasing with a variety of foot-stompers and more mellow tracks. I'd heartily recommend this album, and will be looking out for other material by Fraser Fifield on the back of it.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
