«The Singing Earth: Adventures From A World Of Music» by Barrett Martin

"The Singing Earth: Adventures From A World Of Music" is a collection of musical adventure stories from Grammy-winning musician, writer, and ethnomusicologist Barrett Martin. The book chronicles Barrett's work in 14 musical regions, across 6 continents, over the course of 30 years. It starts with his involvement in the 1990s Seattle music scene and then explores songlines and seatrails in Australia and New Zealand; trance drumming in Central America; 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 occupied Palestinian West Bank; playing with old bluesmen in the Mississippi Delta; the political power of American resistance music; and the ancient practice of bronze casting in Asian gamelan music. There is also a companion soundtrack that plays after each verse/chapter, which contains rare and original songs from Barrett's various bands, as well as field recordings from the incredible musical environments he has visited. Those who listen to the musical journey that Barrett recounts will find themselves transported through exotic global landscapes where they learn about the links between ecology, community, and music that connects us to our greater humanity.