He and his family moved to Kingussie, Speyside, Scotland when he was 10. One of his teachers introduced him to the Great Highland Bagpipe. Within two years Martyn was winning prizes in many of the junior piping competitions around Scotland. He then took up violin, piano and composing at the age of 15 at the City of Edinburgh Music School, continuing his studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1990.
In 1993, just before graduating, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which he related to the suffocating and stressful environment of the Classical world where "enjoyment of the music [...] was out-weighed by the pressure to succeed" [1]. In 1994 he began to spend more time with his first musical love, folk and traditional, and it was not much later that he started to experiment with electronica. He performed at the world premiere party for the film Braveheart.
In 1996, he released his first self-titled album on Eclectic Records. In 1998 he released Bothy Culture, his most successful album. In 2000, just a few months after a highly acclaimed headlining set at the Cambridge Folk Festival, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
He died on January 30, 2005, following a long struggle with cancer.
Chanter
Martyn Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You play the melody on the chanter
You play the melody on the chanter
You play the melody on the chanter
You play the melody on the chanter
The repeated chorus of Martyn Bennett's song "Chanter" appears to refer to the traditional Scottish bagpipe chanter, the part of the instrument that contains the finger holes for playing the melody. The use of repetition upholds the importance of the melody played on the chanter, which is the core element of traditional Scottish music. Bennett's use of electronic influences in his music was also an innovative approach, blending traditional Scottish music with modern sounds to create something unique and meaningful.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of pride and reverence towards traditional Scottish music and the importance of preserving the unique sound and style that comes from playing the melody on a chanter. The song also highlights the way in which this tradition can be adapted and updated for modern audiences without losing its essential character and spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
You play the melody on the chanter
You skillfully produce the music using the chanter
You play the melody on the chanter
Your talent in playing the chanter is evident as you create the musical notes
You play the melody on the chanter
Through your playing of the chanter, the melody reverberates and fills the air
You play the melody on the chanter
The sound produced by the chanter under your hands is enveloping and enchanting
You play the melody on the chanter
The chanter, in your hands, gives birth to a beautiful melody that is hard to ignore
Contributed by Evelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boyd Reeds
It's my hope that many many many more thousands, perhaps millions, will discover Martyn's work, and that they too will appreciate his incredibly enormous contribution to Scottish culture, and indeed modern music, as I have. Martyn may no longer be among the living, but his work is that of legend. R.I.P. Martyn. You have your rightful, and unchallengeable place, at the stage, and in the studio of musical kings.....
Martin Valentine
One of the best music producers Scotland has produced..........RIP
Jako Stoter
This is so good. He is a legend. Cannot imagine what he should have became if he would be with us.
trickiewoowoo
purely wicked! all those who dig this need to check out "HALLAIG" from bothy culture. SEVERE celtic trip to hilt!
Davie Ferguson
Great track from a tremendous muscian.....sadly missed
Jon Taylor
Celtic Fusion at its best!
James McHench
A bow, and a round of applause from Canada.
Tara Lazaravage
I'm like this Marty Bennett twisted techno Celtic blends~very creative move or meditate on it either way I'm hooked!
PATA
RIP. I've been rinsing this tune since I was 17.
Max Alaska
This is a song that would of fit perfectly for a resident evil movie boss scene!