I’ve been looking through the archives a lot recently with Real World Gold and Peter Gabriel’s ‘Secret World Live’ and ‘So’ Anniversary projects all giving the opportunity to open a few drawers. Mary Ann Kennedy’s Global Gathering (on iPlayer until 10:02PM Tue, 15 May) show on BBC Scotland which celebrated the groundbreaking work of musician and composer Martyn Bennett yesterday evening has kept me in the archives, but sent me on a diversion to a different set of images - Martyn Bennett in 2003.
I was lucky enough to meet Martyn when he worked with Real World Records on the fantastic ‘Grit’ - he inspired us all, and I remember the joy at the ‘Move’ video Lee Parry cooked up from a few tiny clips Martyn provided - I think some sort of postage stamp sized early digital video.
Listening to Martyn’s music and hearing his wife Kirsten talking about his life and music on iPlayer this morning prompted me to dig out some photographs I took at what was, I think, one of Martyn’s last appearances on stage - in DJ mode, as the support for Peter Gabriel’s 2003 concert at The Brighton Centre. There’s a certain sadness about the event and certainly a frailty to the man who gave me a hug at the end of the night, but beyond that there is the glimmer in his eye, the smile on his face at the end of the set and the great music he played for us that night.
If you haven’t heard ‘Grit’ you probably should, but check out the radio show while it’s hovering in the ether.
Loney dear
The Appearance of Colour
The Radiophonic Workshop
Roddy Woomble at Kings Place
A Guy Called Gerald on Loudness
The Power of Distortion
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