Comes in a gorgeous deluxe hardback book-format packaging, including approximately 100 pages featuring lyrics to all 50 tracks, additional interlinking text, a host of beautiful pictures and illustrations throughout, as well as a comprehensive list of credits and acknowledgements. This wonderful and unique presentation, designed by Helen Temperley at helentemperley.myportfolio.com has been a true 'labour of love' and is a fascinating and real work of art in its own right.
Includes FREE bonus "companion piece" CD - 'FAIR FLOWERS AMONG THEM ALL (THE MAD MARTINS INSTRUMENTALS)', while stocks last.
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Includes unlimited streaming of Mad Martins
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
ships out within 7 days
£24.99GBP
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
William Martin (1772-1851) was born in a small cottage, at the Tow-house, near Bardon Mill, Haltwhistle, Northumberland during a night of violent thunder and lightning on June 21st 1772. A philosopher, doggerel poet, pamphleteer, engraver and inventor, he aspired to be ‘Renaissance Man’ and aimed for the “defeat of learned humbugs”:
"Cheer up, you Northumberland and British Bards that can use the pen
And show your divine wisdom for the good of all men…
Cheer up, you Britons, your champion has the battle won,
All the world cannot penetrate the celestial armour he has him upon."
His many inventions included a Life Preserver, a Mechanical Horse, and a Flying Machine. Some of his discoveries and ideas came to him, like his brother Jonathan, in “dreams and visions of the night”.
lyrics
ON THE PLACE OF MY BIRTH
The beauties of my native place,
Bard-like, I must them now relate;
If my pen doth handle well, ‘twill
Turn out something that is great.
Above Thorngrafton stands Barkum-Hill
With a lofty top and proudly high
Upon its top stands a spire-like stone –
And a landmark – raises its head to catch the eye.
South of that, across the River Tyne, stands
Ridley Hall with pleasant gardens fine,
Which beautifies the lovely dale,
And makes sweet Tyne-side to shine.
Not far from that, up the water Allan,
Stands Stawart-Castle, on a rock so high,
Surrounded with pleasant woods, and waters
Clear, delights the traveller’s penetrating eye.
How delightful, in a summer’s morn, the
Feather’d songsters they loudly sing;
The blackbird and the thrush likewise,
They make the groves and valleys ring.
(Words: William Martin / Tune: 'Love is the Cause of My Mourning’ - Trad. arr. Ann Sessoms)
credits
from Mad Martins,
released April 30, 2017
Keith Armstrong - Spoken Word
Ann Sessoms - Northumbrian Pipes
Gary Miller first rose to international prominence with folk-punk/rock pioneers The Whisky Priests (1985-2002), founded with
his twin brother Glenn - “the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Folk Music". He now performs as a solo artist and with his new band 'Gary Miller's Big Picture' whose debut album is coming soon....more
Internationally acclaimed live double album by Mad Martins singer/songwriter Gary Miller's original band The Whisky Priests recorded at Markthalle, Hamburg on New Years Eve 1992. 23 glorious tracks! Gary Miller