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Martyn Bennett — Blackbird
Album: Grit
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1113









Released: 2003
Length: 6:04
Plays (last 30 days): 2
What a voice, what a voice, what a voice I hear
It's like the voice of my Willy dear
But if I had wings like that swallow high
I would clasp in the arms o' my Billy boy

What a voice, what a voice, what a voice I hear
It's like the voice of my Willy dear
But if I had wings like that swallow high
I would clasp in the arms o' my Billy boy

When my apron it hung low
My true love followed through frost and snow
And noo my apron it is tae my chin
He passes me by and he ne'er spiers in

There is a blackbird sits on yon tree
Some says it is blind and it cannae see
Some says it is blind and it cannae see
And so is my true love tae me
Comments (30)add comment
The segue master rides again...
Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come followed by "What a voice, what a voice, what a voice I hear." Damn that's good.
 horstman wrote:

Some of this artist's music is featured on Danny MacAskill cycling videos.



This track being one of them - my sister in law now sings this track with the Grit orchestra set up by Martyn's best mate Greg Lawson to showcase his work - here she is singing it at the Glasgow Hydro with Danny MacAskill recreating said video in the auditorium (he was recovering from a knee injury and wasn't sure he'd be able to do it - excellent gig! Edit can't link to YT - search for Blackbird uploaded by Malky McMillan)
The first time I heard this I thought this was horrible but I remember seeing the top comments and the wikipedia snipped, and I thought I'd give this one a chance. Then I gave another when it was played the following time and so on. Over the years this has grown on me and a while ago I added this song to my "go-to list" of music that I listen to when I can't figure out what to listen to. Not sure if this is a 10, but damn sure this is at least a 9.
 nicol.stuart wrote:

Great to hear this on RP! - this remarkable cyclist puts it to work herehttps://realworldrecords.com/v...



Thanks for that!
This is the funky song I didn't know I needed to hear today. Thank you RP!
I was watching the Outlaw King on Netflix and a Scottish girl was singing this song in it. 
+1 to 8, cuz I wanna hear it again(via My Favorits or otherwise)
LLRP!!
 RazzCat wrote:


WTF did I just see??  Incredible!!! 



Click.
Another ebay purchase!

Sgoineil! 
Saw Martin play in the Aros Hall in Tobermory, a couple of years before he died. Salsa Celtica in support. What an awesome night, and this exquisite song brings it back - so clearly. 

Much missed. 

Awful 
 nicol.stuart wrote:

Great to hear this on RP! - this remarkable cyclist puts it to work herehttps://realworldrecords.com/v...



WTF did I just see??  Incredible!!! 
 nicol.stuart wrote:

Great to hear this on RP! - this remarkable cyclist puts it to work herehttps://realworldrecords.com/v...


Wonderful
This is  a nice little documentary about Grit posted by Real World Records
Grit Documentary
 creditlewis wrote:

Fascinating to learn about Martyn Bennett. Taken to young - an amazing talent. 
Just downloaded some of his albums after listening to this (Blackbird)




Agree. Did the same. Great music of a passed talent.
 johnfiva wrote:

The Main Mix has taken on a sort of "Not quite in Paradise yet" quality lately.




Especially when playing the BOFs like REM and U2.
The Main Mix has taken on a sort of "Not quite in Paradise yet" quality lately.
Fascinating to learn about Martyn Bennett. Taken to young - an amazing talent. 
Just downloaded some of his albums after listening to this (Blackbird)
 memoryboxer wrote:

I'm saddened to just discover this amazing fellow Canadian... but 15+ years too late.



That's the thing about modern recorded music, though. It never has to be too late to listen to the music, even if it may too late to see a concert. RP is getting me to listen to more Etta James recently. And Nick Drake. Sad for the music that Drake and Bennett didn't manage to make (James had a full and influential career I'd say), but I wouldn't say I'm too late.
Well shit.  Reading his story and hearing this track just wrecked me.  Think I'll go hug my kids for a long while...
 jmkate wrote:

This is a truly remarkable cd. My favorite is the  faster track Move; if you get it just be prepared to want to dance, wherever you happen to be. 


woah, his Move track on Grit is freaking awesome, kick ass... thank you! this is going on my driving playlist! 
 horstman wrote:

Some of this artist's music is featured on Danny MacAskill cycling videos.



And what a video that is!  Incredible! 
what a lovely piece of music .....  just wonderful
excellent   will definitely be listening to more of him thanks RP  
Great to hear this on RP! - this remarkable cyclist puts it to work herehttps://realworldrecords.com/v...
Some of this artist's music is featured on Danny MacAskill cycling videos.
So Good Eh!!
This is a truly remarkable cd. My favorite is the  faster track Move; if you get it just be prepared to want to dance, wherever you happen to be. 
I'm saddened to just discover this amazing fellow Canadian... but 15+ years too late.
Album foreword by Peter Gabriele: Martyn Bennett managed to straddle the roots of Scottish music with contemporary grooves, without losing any soul or passion. He was a wonderful person to work with, whose quiet determination led him on a totally original path. We will miss him. Peter Gabriel, April 2005