Track Listing

1. Move
2. Blackbird
3. Chanter
4. Nae Regrets
5. Liberation
6. Why
7. Ale House
8. Wedding
9. Rant
10. Storyteller

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38534 in Music
• Released on: 2003-10-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

Forget celtic moods - Turn Up The Volume!
I found Grit in the folk section of HMV and after listing for the first time I wondered why anyone would casually term this album as folk. After the fifth listen I wondered how you classify this album. Celtic is the best I can come up with. But if you think Celtic music is the equivalent of the dolphin cry then you're in for a shock. Grit takes the traditional sounds of Scotland and adds a fire and passion that I have never heard in such a recording.

How best can I describe the sound of Grit? Take an early traditional recording, add the sonic landscape of bjork, turn up the volume and press play.

There are standout points all through this album. If I had to choose a track then it would have to be 'Ale House' for the simple reason that I can't help but grin and dance whenever it's on. In a nut shell this recording is nothing short of a landmark. Celtic music once lost its grit; Martyn Bennett went out and found it again.

Much more than celtic or simple fusion
It was unfortunately only after Martyn's death that I was introduced to his music. The album Grit is an extremely impressive statement of both his roots, but also of defiance in the face of the illness which cast a shadow over the last years of his life. This fight was protracted and even drove him to destroy many of his instruments in frustration at his helplessness at it's onset at one stage.
The album is full of inventiveness which, even if you extracted the Scottish songs would find a place as contemporary music to discover and enjoy. The combination is a triumph of adventurous sounds and demonstrates a skill in managing the content which far surpasses similar offerings.
It varies smoothly between the soulful and introverted, through to the raucous 'Chanter' which would not be out of place in clubs around the UK. Stand out track for me is 'Why': so terribly apt as this is the question many will ask upon hearing how talented this young man was. Take a chance on this album, it'll be worth it.

'Grit' apt title
Martin was one of these inventive people who takes traditional music by the scruff of the neck and enhances it with a modern slant. He can be described as the Scottish 'Moby'. He will be sorely missed. This album was made during Martin's fight with cancer and the title is so apt.