Funk is not just for Fridays, its for life
Written by John Macpherson(Young people, the arts and immortality)
The untimely death of Martyn Bennet in 2005 aged only 33 years robbed us of one of the UK’s most innovative musicians. For those of you not familiar with this genius, Martyn was a multi-talented ‘Dreadlocked Funkster’, he played several instruments, and was an acclaimed virtuoso on the bagpipes and fiddle. He composed an astonishing selection of music from pretty hardcore dance tunes to work for symphony orchestras, with everything in between. His music transcended any boundary you can imagine.
For this week’s Funky Monday (seeing as Funky Friday is already taken) I’m hoping you’ll find the time to shake a foot (or more) to Move. Taken from his album Grit.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFGMR5DaUto[/youtube]
And then to bring you safely back down again, why not chill with ‘Karabach’ (playing with the legendary Tommy Smith) and feel your synapses ripple gloriously.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSg1r10SLwk&feature=related[/youtube]
Martyn also had a real dedication to encourage other musicians, particularly young people, to make the most of their talents through teaching and sharing his own vision of the possibilities afforded by music. And the Martin Bennet Trust continues that in his memory. So give a donation if you’re moved to, but above all please just listen. No grieving here though, this is celebration.
Rock on people.
Author — John Macpherson
John MacPherson was born and lives in the Scottish Highlands. He trained as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards, before completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and then qualified as a Social Worker in Disability Services. Along the way he has cooked on canal barges, trained as an Alpine Ski Leader & worked as an Instructor for Skiers with disabilities, been a canoe instructor, and tutor of night classes in carpentry, stained glass design and manufacture, and archery. He has travelled extensively on various continents, undertaking solo trips by bicycle, or motorcycle. He has had narrow escapes from an ambush by terrorists, been hit by lightning, caught in an erupting volcano, trapped in a mobile home by a tornado, kidnapped by a dog's hairdresser, rammed by a basking shark and was once bitten by a wild otter. He has combined all this with professional photography, which he has practised for over 35 years. He teaches photography and acts as a photography guide & tutor in the UK and abroad. His biggest challenge is keeping his 30 year old Land Rover 110 on the road. He loves telling and hearing stories.