Nearly 40 years later I began to write some songs that grew into the lunar voyages/1969 inspired album that has come to be known as 'Howl On'." - Bap Kennedy Read more ...
All lyrics reproduced with the kind permission of Lonely Street Discs (c)(p)
Track 1 - America
I can hear them talking
From a million miles
They talk like cowboys
And I close my eyes
And slip into a dream
I wish that I could see
(Chorus)
America, America, America
I don’t like my voice
And my clothes don’t fit
And my gun belt hangs
On my skinny hips
And all I want to do
Is to be like you
(Chorus)
This town’s in trouble
But up there somewhere
Heroes are returning
Safely to the earth
And falling back into
The place where dreams come true
(Chorus)
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 2 - Cold War Country Blues
They took Hank Williams to the moon
They took Hank Williams to the moon
Well it seems to me
Instead of world war three
They took Hank Williams to the moon
Elvis was a cold war soldier boy
Elvis was a cold war soldier boy
One dark American night he saw that Russian satellite
Elvis was a cold war soldier boy
You better get it right John Kennedy
You better get it right John Kennedy
Cos if you get it wrong they’re gonna drop the atom bomb
You better get it right John Kennedy
Jim Lovell steely eyed missile man
Jim Lovell steely eyed missile man
They sent him all that way
Still on Navy pay
Jim Lovell steely eyed missile man
They took Hank Williams to the moon
They took Hank Williams to the moon
Well it seems to me
Instead of world war three
They took Hank Williams to the moon
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 3 - The Right Stuff
All them cowboys are old men
Longing for a mission once again
Gambling everything, boys we were fearless
Well we had the right stuff then
We were brothers bound together
Sharing every victory and pain
Never will there be such good companions
We’ll never see that right stuff again
(chorus)
So farewell, my friends
Till we meet again
In some bar where angels fear to tread
Some have already gone
But it won’t be long
Till we’re all together again
Time is such a strange arrangement
You think you have too much and then it’s gone
But I know this world will keep on turning
When you and me have slipped this mortal coil
(chorus x 2)
And we’ll have that right stuff again
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 4 - Irish Moon
Here’s to my friend
That’s Michael Collins
An Irishman
I have no doubt
At the controls
He is a genius
And he likes a drink
And it’s my shout
(chorus)
Here’s to you
Once more round the Irish moon
The whole world
Is relying now on you
To bring the boys back home
and when you do
There’ll be a drink for you
Michael Collins
As you navigate
Through the starry night
All by yourself
On the old dark side
Do not forget
Young John McGee
He could not dream
Of the things you’ve seen
(chorus)
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 5 - The Blue One
Is anybody there
Are we all alone
With our grand ideas
In our broken home
Is anybody watching
As we roll along
This tiny speck of light
The blue one
Another day and night
Another revolution
And we live our lives
In the great illusion
Is anybody listening
As we sing our song
On this speck of light
The blue one
I know the future will
Happen without me
How long until
I run out of memory
Well I don’t have long
And I just got up
On this speck of light
The blue one....This tiny speck of light...
The blue one(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 7 - Howl On
Nothing is heavier
In the universe
Than the human heart
Still suffering
For an ancient sin
We all played our part
Nothing is stronger
In the universe
Than the human heart
Outside the gates
Trying to push our way in
Before it gets too dark
(chorus) Howl on, Howl on Till the pain is gone
Howl on, Howl on, Howl on
Nothing is lonelier
In the universe
Than the human heart
Left to ponder
A lifetime without love
Each time it falls apart
(chorus)
Nothing is greater
In the universe
Than the human heart
To rise above
The sorrowful earth
The agony and the hurt
(chorus x 3)
....How long? How long? Howl on. (c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 8 - One of Those Days
I should have seen it coming
But I can’t complain
I got plenty of everything
Specially the blame
I try to keep it positive
And see the cosmic plan
Cos I know in the scheme of things
I’m a lucky man
(chorus)
Oh now baby,
You know it’s just
One of those days
Feels like
Waiting for a train
That’s never coming back this way
If I had a chance
I’d do it all again
Put my hide on the line
And I’d ride that flame
It’s hard to come back down
From the thrill of the chase
I’m just sitting here
Staring into space
(chorus x 2)
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 9 - Brave Captain
What will your ship bring back
Can you tell me brave captain
A treasure beyond all comprehension
What will you bring back brave captain
Did you tell your wife you love her
And that you will return one day for her
As you kissed her sweet lips
She knows you’re married to your ship
But she loves you anyway
Brave captain
Where are you now brave captain
Can you see how the world truly is
Shimmering and blue, lonesome like you
Where are you now brave captain
What will we do brave captain
If you do not return brave captain
We will fall down with grief
And get no relief
Until we send the next brave captain
Until we send another brave captain
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 10 - The Heart of Universal Love
In the dying ambers of a lonely distant star
That’s where I began
Well now, baby, here we are
Don’t worry about me,
Kiss my picture while I’m gone
Till I come back to the cool green hills of home
Back to the place where I belong
The heart of universal love
Way out here on this unforgiving world
We made our mark, and let our empire’s flag unfurl
And then I looked up and I saw
The heart of universal love
East of Eden, there is just one tale to tell
Of good and evil, and high heaven turned to Hell
With our free will, we have undone
The heart of universal love
Until redemption makes us one
With the heart of universal love
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 11 - Last Adventure
All the things I’ve seen, you can’t imagine
I know that I’ve had more than my share
But as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow
This is my last adventure
Everybody else followed the money
I thought I was lucky to be there
But now the game is up, and I am certain
This is my last adventure, this is my last adventure
Though I’m not sure just where I’m going
It’s fundamental truth we must explore
And if I make it back in one piece, darling
This is my last adventure, this is my last adventure
I looked out across the desolation
So beautiful, almost too much to bear
And as I walked upon it I was certain
This is my last adventure, this is my last adventure
And as I burn a hole through Heaven, darling
I know you’ll be waiting up somewhere
With your head in your hands, begging Jesus
That this is my last adventure, this is my last adventure
This is my last adventure, this is my last adventure
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
Track 12 - Ballad of Neil Armstrong
Goodnight, sweetheart
Wherever you may be
I wonder if you are
Watching over me
Can you put in a good word with God?
As I sail my ship into the void
Starlight, starlight
Guide me along
Across this dark ocean
We must sail on
There is no below or above
As I sail my ship into the void
Faster than a bullet
Silent as a church
A cathedral of light
So far from earth
And all the dreams of a boy
As I sail my ship into the void
As I sail my ship into the void
(c)(p)Lonely Street Discs
An individual, engaging take on the American dream
The Ulster singer-songwriter readdresses his troubled love affair with the USA on his latest solo album, which with its easy country-soul ambience and purring pedal-steel sounds like it was recorded in Nashville rather than Belfast. The 1969 moon landings, witnessed by a 7 year old Kennedy provide the central strand.
‘The Right Stuff’ delivers astronaut camaraderie in the improbable guise of a country bar-room lament, while ‘The Heart of Universal Love’ is a paean to earth from deep space.
Amid the bluesy grooves and nods to Hank Williams, (with mentor Van Morrison just off-stage) Kennedy conjures an individual, engaging take on the American dream’
The Observer
An understated, unusual and thoughtful collection
‘For anybody of 50 or thereabouts, the moon landing of Apollo 11 was just one of those magical times when the world turned its head in unison. Forty years ago, Bap Kennedy was a wide-eyed seven-year-old in Belfast who went to sleep that night with the voice of Mission Control’s space cowboys in his ear and America in his heart. This is his tribute to the men and the moment, along with the sweet Bob Marley-influenced title track and the Jimi Hendrix classic Hey Joe (with fellow Northerner Henry McCullough contributing an outstanding guitar display). Many of these songs have an air of gentle regret or reflection, as Kennedy imagines the thoughts of these pioneers as they stepped out into the unknown. Well supported by wife Brenda on backing vocals and Pete O’Hanlon on just about everything else, this is an understated, unusual and thoughtful collection’
The Irish Times
Impressive
‘Kennedy has an impressive history, from his early career with Energy Orchard to his work with Van Morrison and Steve Earle..a fine country songwriter with a laid back style and melodies that sound simple but become difficult to shake off...the stand out track is a cheerfully original country treatment of Hey Joe. Guitar work is provided by Henry McCullough, the only Irishman to play at Woodstock’
The Guardian
One Giant Leap...
‘The Bapster’s first album since 2005’s Lonely Streer finds him revisiting his American musical roots and childhood memories. The 1969 moon landing looms large, as revealed by tracks such as ‘The Ballad of Neil Armstrong’, Irish Moon’ and the uppity ‘Cold War Country Blues’ which also name checks Hank, Elvis and JFK. Henry McCullough adds muscular guitar to a country-rocked ‘Hey Joe’ the title track.
The title track is a beautifully reflective Dylanesque work, and the harmonica-driven ‘Brave Captain’ sounds like it could’ve graced Neil Young’s Harvest.
Howl On is a lovingly-crafted set of tunes – one giant leap for a Belfast man
Hot Press (4 stars)
Twenty glorious years
‘Twenty glorious years have seen Kennedy amass a catalogue featuring work with Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Pete Doherty and a fanbase including the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His 4th solo album casts a thoughtful eye on his 1969 childhood dreams via lovely country shuffles’
Daily Mirror (4 stars)
Country music at its best
‘This is country music at its best – not maudlin or whining and not breast beating and jingoistic either; just songs from the heart that make the listeners think and feel and that bears repeated listening, giving something new each time’
Music News (4 stars)
Superb new release
‘Superb new release from one of Northern Ireland’s best singer-songwriters.
After 20 years of living in England & America, Bap Kennedy has finally moved back to Northern Ireland and has released this superb album which has been inspired by childhood memories of the 1969 moon landings, and the great Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock - as well as cowboys, Elvis & Hank Williams.
HOWL ON is a rootsy Americana album full of honest lyrics and a strong feeling that a new day is about to dawn. All songs are written by Kennedy except for one – Jimi Hendrix brought the 1969 Woodstock festival to a close with his song ‘Hey Joe’ and Bap does a fantastic version of that song with Henry McCullough on lead and rhythm guitar adding to the powerful force of Kennedy’s brash and assertive vocals.
The title track is a wonderful folk ballad with Bap’s almost Dylan sounding voice smoothly bringing the lyrics to life accompanied by a fine pedal steel solo from Percy Robinson.
The album closes with another slow tune, which tips its hat to the moon landings. It is the sweet and very simple ‘Ballad of Neil Armstrong’ which is quite delightful.
One of the more country sounding tunes is the lively ‘Cold War Country Blues’ which has a very political slant to the lyrics whilst still mentioning the moon landings, Hank Williams and Elvis.
This album is a good mix of Americana, folk and rock and is Bap Kennedy at his best’
Maverick (4 stars)
A thing of rare beauty
Bap Kennedy’s new album ‘Howl On’ is a thing of rare beauty that I’ve really fallen for in recent months. In fact, it’s rarely been off my CD player. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s already a strong contender for album of the year. Howl On is a sort of concept album based around the space race and that crazy time when everyone seemed optimistic and anything seemed possible.
It’s a laid back collection of nostalgic gems that groove along in an easy country vibe and it’s impossible not to fall in love with.
BBC’s Ralph Mclean (Sunday Life)
Finest release since ‘Domestic Blues'
‘....Kennedy’s finest release since his debut album (Domestic Blues)... a kind of concept album about hippy counter-culture and the moon landings
News of the World
Superb cover of 'Hey Joe’
‘The most famous song on the album is the superb cover of 'Hey Joe.' More upbeat than the Jimi Hendrix version, it's breathed new life into a song that's been around for nearly fifty years. Although it's a great track, it's not the best song on the album, that title goes to 'Cold War Country Blues.' The lyrics to the song are brilliant: "you better get it right John Kennedy \ 'Cause if you get it wrong they'll drop the atom bomb." The tempo is perfect. It's only using a standard country structure but it's just so enjoyable. Throw in 'One Of Those Days' and you end up with a good time country soundtrack’
Leeds Music Scene
A love letter to Americana
‘Howl On is a love letter to Americana, aptly built around his re-working of the Hendrix popularised rock staple Hey Joe. While this version serves the narrative and desperation more realistically, it is not the finest work in the collection. That accolade goes to the poignant Ballad of Neil Armstrong ‘ an emotional tune which opens the bravest of achievements to simple vulnerabilities’
Rocksnail
What the world has been looking for...
‘Howl On is an incredibly relaxed album. Bap is a man aware of his talent and lets it speak for itself. The potpourri of Americana and country rock has that down-to earth feel.
The world has been going through a rough time and is looking for the singer-songwriters to gladden its heart. ‘Howl On’ definitely
strikes the right note’
Fatea Magazine
Country music at its best
'America’ is a plaintive love song to the American dream and its heartfelt lyrics reflect on the loss of that dream. 'Cold War Country Blues’ on the other hand celebrates the musical side of the US through the political eyes of biggest stars and then 'The Right Stuff’ once more looks back to the potential of America through its history and through the actions of individuals......This is country music at its best – not maudlin or whining and not breast beating and jingoistic either; just songs from the heart that make the listeners think and feel and that bears repeated listening, giving something new each time’
Music News-Underground
Classic album
‘Kennedy has consistently produced classic albums. The cover of Hey Joe is an inspired choice, with a skiffle beat and some dirty guitar licks thrown in for good measure...Kennedy’s voice is as distinctive as ever’
Music Critic
Wonderful version of a very popular song
‘Taken from his new album 'Howl On,' Bap Kennedy has managed to come up with his own adaptation (Hey Joe). With a country sound, acoustic guitar and rolling perccussion he has breathed new life into the song. While some of the lead guitar parts are very 'Hendrix-esque' the overall feel of the song is lot more uplifting than its well known predecessor. It's great to hear another wonderful version of a very popular song. At times covering a classic can backfire, but in this case it's worked a treat’
Leeds Music Scene (Hey Joe)
Links
To launch the new album a free copy of the title track 'Howl On' is available to download. Firstly, sign-up to our newsletter below and then click on the link to download the track. Our email newsletter will keep you up-to-date on all the latest Bap Kennedy news including up coming gigs. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Bap Kennedy's new album 'Howl On' will be available to buy from 3rd August 2009. You can pr-order online at the official Bap Kennedy website by following this link or on the following websites.
I was a seven year old Belfast cowboy trying to stay awake in the early hours of July 20 1969 for the first footsteps on the moon. When I woke up they were on their way home. One month later it was already old news as Jimi Hendrix brought Woodstock to a close with Hey Joe - and the freaky decade so full of promise staggered into a troubled 1970 with a massive hangover.
Nearly 40 years later I began to write some songs that grew into the lunar voyages/1969 inspired album that has come to be known as ‘Howl On’. And all because of a book called Moon Dust, that I devoured by the light of a log fire DVD at the start of a strange lonesome year in London. The Apollo missions and the 60’s were suddenly fresh, wonderful, insane and large as life to me, a man now in his forties - slightly older than the crew of Apollo 11 when they landed on the Sea of Tranquility.
What had become of these men and what had they experienced? How could such a momentous event be reduced to an MTV logo? I was lonely and crazy for love and becoming obsessed by the whole saga. I watched every documentary I could find on the subject and inevitably there was Jimi somewhere in the soundtrack - a reminder of the far out counter culture backdrop of the space race and the Cold War.
And so it was that I immersed myself in the lives of the chosen few who went up there and didn’t care if they never came back. I was in love with America as a child and when I finally got to New York in 1989 as a professional musician I wasn’t disappointed. I’d forgotten all about cowboy suits and spacemen by then, enthralled by the 24 hour bars beside Port Authority.
Gradually America wore me down and I fell out of love with the best and worst of everything. But now maybe things are changing. As a new spirit began to filter over in early 2009 I recorded my own take on Hey Joe during the ‘Howl On’ sessions. Furthermore in a cosmic coincidence I managed to get the legendary Henry McCullough, the only Irishman who performed at Woodstock, to play guitar on my version of the Hendrix classic.
And so now I’m starting to feel that good times are ahead and inspiration is flowing again, not just in me but in the world. The feeling that anything is possible if we just put our minds to it.
We went to the moon didn’t we? All of us.
Bap Kennedy 2009
Album Track Inspiration
America
On the night of July 20th 1969, I tried to stay awake for the first Moonwalk, but the comforting and reassuring cowboy voices from Mission Control lulled me into a peaceful sleep. In my seven year old mind, all good th ings came from America. I wanted to be American and live in the sunshine.
Cold War Country Blues
Was there a Space Race instead of a nuclear war between Russia and America? Maybe.
The frontiersmen who went to the moon took country music to new heights. The pay was terrible but the view was incredible.
The Right Stuff
Dedicated to the ancient order of astronauts, the bravest of the brave - and especially to Pete Conrad who was “the best man I ever knew” (Neil Armstrong)
Irish Moon
Michael Collins was the 3rd crew member of Apollo 11. Back in ‘69 when I heard his name I assumed he was Irish. Buzz and Neil got all the glory - but Mick got them home.
He had a poem by John Gillespie Magee tucked in his pocket as he travelled to the dark side all on his own.
The Blue One
They went to the moon and discovered the Earth, a beautiful jewel hanging in the void. Inspired by a photo taken by Voyager, the deep space probe. Before it left our solar system it turned around and took a picture of where it had come from.
And finally there we were, our planet a tiny point of light in the vastness - the Blue One.
Hey Joe
A cosmic country take on the classic rock song that finished off Woodstock and the 60’s.
Featuring Henry McCullough, the only Irishman to play at Woodstock on muscular guitar.
Howl On
The mighty universe can seem like a very small place when your heart is broken. And nothing can stand in the way of Love.
One of Those Days
What do you do after you’ve been to the Moon? Have one hell of a mid-life crisis.
Brave Captain
To see the Earth as it truly is. To risk everything including being forgotten when the next hero comes along.
Dedicated to the crew of Apollo 8 who saw an Earthrise for the first time and brought home the photographic treasure for all Mankind.
The Heart of Universal Love
Milton, Paradise Lost and the contemplations of an astronaut as he considers the philosophical implications of standing on the barren Moon and looking up at the Earth, a beautiful Eden in the blackness.
Last Adventure
Surely there can be no greater adventure than going to the moon. If you get back alive maybe it’s time to hang up your helmet and take it easy.
Ballad of Neil Armstrong
In my imagination the commander of Apollo 11 considers an angelic presence as he voyages towards the Moon and a lifetime of unwanted celebrity. (A model of the strong silent type, Neil had suffered the tragic loss of his young daughter before the Apollo Missions became the focus of his life)