Publisher's Synopsis
The Singing Earth is a collection of musical adventure stories from Grammy-winning producer, composer, and writer Barrett Martin. The book chronicles Martin's musical work in 14 different musical regions, across 6 continents, over the course of 30 years. It starts with his involvement in the 1990's Seattle music scene, and then explores song lines and sea trails in Australia and New Zealand; Garifuna trance drumming in Central America; Wolof Griot music in West Africa; musical diplomacy in Cuba; touring with a Brazilian rock band; recording the Shipibo Shamans in the Peruvian Amazon; recording in the Palestinian West Bank; playing the blues in the Mississippi Delta; the power of American resistance music; and the ancient influence of Asia in music and culture. There is also a companion 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.
