Barrett Martin proudly releases his first book titled, ‘The Singing Earth’, in the UK through Sunyata Books and Proper Distribution.
The Singing Earth is a collection of musical adventure stories from musician and writer Barrett Martin. The book chronicles Martin’s musical work in 14 musical regions, across 6 continents, over the course of 30 years. It starts with his involvement in the 1990s Seattle music scene, and then explores: Song lines and sea trails in Australia and New Zealand; trance drumming in Central America; Griot music in West Africa; musical diplomacy in Cuba; touring with a Brazilian rock band; recording shamanic music in the Peruvian Amazon; playing the blues in the Mississippi Delta; recording in the Palestinian West Bank; the power of American resistance music; and the ancient influence of Asia in music and culture. There is also initially a companion CD soundtrack that comes with the book, which contains rare, unreleased songs from Martin’s various bands, as well as field recordings from the incredible musical environments he has visited. Those who read and listen to the musical journey that Martin recounts will find themselves transported through exotic global landscapes where they learn about the links between ecology, community, and the music that connects us to our greater humanity.
The next edition of the book won’t have a CD but will instead have an expanded 44 song soundtrack that comes as a digital download from the website featuring an astonishing 44 songs and natural soundscapes from around the world.
Barrett Martin is a drummer, composer, producer, and award-winning writer best known for his work with several prominent Seattle bands including, The Barrett Martin Group, Walking Papers, Mad Season, Screaming Trees, Tuatara, Skin Yard, and the Levee Walkers. He has played on over 100 albums and film soundtracks to date, and when he is not on tour, he produces albums that range from indigenous music, to jazz, blues, and rock & roll. Martin holds a masters degree in Ethnology and Linguistics and is a professor of Music at Antioch University Seattle. He writes a music and culture blog for the Huffington Post, and in 2014 he was awarded the ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thompson Award for excellence in writing.
To order “The Singing Earth’ go to www.BarrettMartin.com
