Bothy Culture

Amazon.com
Armed with bags of talent, the ability to play plenty of instruments, and a drum machine, Martyn Bennett really makes an impression with Bothy Culture, his second album, but first to receive major distribution. Equally informed by the tradition and the dance culture that ruled Britain, this is a groundbreaking work. Even when this albums attempts global references ("Tongues of Kali") there is a undeniable Scottish basis. "Joik" joins the dots between Scandinavia and Caledonia, while "Yer Man From Athlone" lightly points out that the Scots and Irish had the same root stock. Humorous, danceable, and daring, this is perhaps the Scots album of the 1990s, a Trainspotting for the new folk movement. --Chris Nickson

From the Label
Having learned the language of a new musical territory, and already well versed in the traditional folk of his family, Martyn played both in the pub session and in the symphony orchestra, learned both the Ceol Mor for the solo bagpipe (the oldest form of bagpipe music) and Ysaye’s solo violin sonatas. Each world knew nothing of the other, and the prospect of taking either across the boundaries seemed equally possible and daunting. At age 19, he took to the peaking rave scene in Glasgow and began formulating what would become his signature hybrid of traditional Gaelic and modern house, hip-hop, and dance music. Martyn fused rural and urban music (rurban, urbal?), mixing classical styles with contemporary rhythms and technologies, and emerged with a sound which was unique yet familiar, and in high demand throughout Glasgow. After finding his niche in the Gaelic/dance arena, Martyn began garnering attention by composing for European theatrical productions. Beginning with the score for The Haunting of Billy Marshall, Martyn composed for the Tom McGrath adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped and David Harrower’s Knives in Hens. These works led to television and movie scores and eventually on to solo performances, highlights of which include performing as personal piper for the Tanzanian President on his visit to Edinburgh, a three month tour of the U.S. with Green Linnet recording artist Wolfstone, consecutive appearances (in 1995 and 1996) at the Edinburgh Hogmanay for crowds of over 90,000 people (and a couple of sheep), and a gig as entertainer for the Braveheart premiere at Stirling Castle. He has appeared as a guest musician on numerous albums, and in 1996, the independent Scottish label, Eclectic Records released his first solo recording, a self-titled full length CD. The album brought the urban folk sounds of Martyn’s music to an ever widening European audience and now, just over a year later, Rykodisc’s release of BOTHY CULTURE extends Martyn’s musical reach across the pond and beyond.

Tracks:

Tongues Of Kali
Aye?
Shiputnik In Glenshiel
Hallaig
Ud The Doudouk
4 Notes
Joik
Yer Man From Athlone
Waltz For Hector

Amazon.com

Armed with bags of talent, the ability to play plenty of instruments, and a drum machine, Martyn Bennett really makes an impression with Bothy Culture, his second album, but first to receive major distribution. Equally informed by the tradition and the dance culture that ruled Britain, this is a groundbreaking work. Even when this albums attempts global references ("Tongues of Kali") there is a undeniable Scottish basis. "Joik" joins the dots between Scandinavia and Caledonia, while "Yer Man From Athlone" lightly points out that the Scots and Irish had the same root stock. Humorous, danceable, and daring, this is perhaps the Scots album of the 1990s, a Trainspotting for the new folk movement. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

An Antti Keisala Comment: Not Words, Not Music Or Rhyme I Want.......2007-03-13

I hold Bennett in rather high regard, and that's not even mostly because of the most celebrated aspect of his music, the energetic mix of fusion-like dance-beats with the original Irish tradition. It's his "Glen Lyon" that defines the man for me, and the profound tune "Blackbird" from his last album "Grit". "Glen Lyon" isn't blending the old and new in terms of what he's mostly been doing as much as it is a minimalist-post-modernist approach to a genre of music that transcends what we think of as natural, almost naturalist. I call him a post-modernist as much as I call Iarla Ó Lionáird a post-modernist, two musicians I consider brothers.

Yet of course the Bennett most people have fallen in love with is a post-modernist in the greater sense, a sonic mystic who builds all sorts of tapestries on mere reference to cultural identity. We go through a myriad of influence here, almost as many as with the Afro Celt Sound System - yet so much it's wondrous to think that all this came from a single mind. "Grit" is the grown-up brother: mellower, deeper, more conscious. This is a celebratory album, with no presence of apparent death. "Grit" is, in this sense, the culmination. Yet "Lyon", which he recorded with his mother on the vocals, is even more closer to the heart. The best of Bennett would be a mishmash of this and "Grit", with bits of "Harldland", an album that's perhaps too cold for my taste, and a dose of "Lyon". But even if I hold that small and silent album in higher regard, you will have to listen to this to understand what I and others see in "Lyon." The power, the glory, the profundity.

God bless his soul.

With best regards,
AK

Bothy Culture Review: The Good Die Young.......2005-10-23

This album combined world music, techo pop, and celtic music to create an energetic melange. I bought the album particularly because of the piece called, "Hallaig", which features the voice of the esteemed gaelic poet Sorely McClean. This piece is haunting, beautiful, and inspirational. Overall, the album is original and interesting; it's too bad it's out of print.

Great cd for those who love funky irish music! great for ids.......2005-06-07

this is a great cd, perfect for lovers of irish music, or someone looking for something new to listen to. This is perfect for my fellow irish dancers, not really to practice to, but just great irish/celtic music!!!!!! One of my favorite cds!!!!!
I'm so sad i never got to see Martyn perform live, he was and still is such a wonderful musician. He will live on through his great and inspiring music.

One of the Best.......2005-05-15

A great album for anyone with an interest in seeing a fusion of modern dance with traditional celtic sounds. Bennett is a remarkably gifted musician with a keen ear for mixing the essence of both club dance sounds with traditional bagpiping and celtic arrangements. I recently purchased his Grit CD which is a true masterpiece. It prompted me to reflect back on how good this original CD is. Sadly he passed away from cancer a few months ago but he has left an enduring legacy in the form of his music.

BEST Martyn.......2005-02-06

Mixing heaven and hell, Martyn is absolutely fantastic. 'Martyn Bennet', the first cd is as good as this 'Bothy Culture'!

On 30 January 2005 Martyn died of cancer!
FAILTE!

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