"This quite brilliant album ..."17/1/2014 Let's Start Again has been awarded the following Five Star review :
I first discovered Bap Kennedy and his unique musical vision back in the late 1980s via an Energy Orchard album. He was the Irish band’s main songwriter and lead vocalist and I was smitten. Fast forward almost ten years and I rediscovered the talented Irishman when his 1998 solo debut, the Steve Earle produced DOMESTIC BLUES was released to an indifferent public. Nevertheless, he has continued to quietly release his albums to widespread critical acclaim and a growing fan base, ringing the musical changes, but maintaining a strong songwriting ethos that has married his love of American music with his Celtic roots. This latest album was recorded in Northern Ireland with his road band augmented by skilled Irish guest musicians and represents yet another step forward for Bap’s versatile songwriting, as he continues to explore and expand upon sounds rooted in his exciting brand of Americana, country and roots rock. Each song carries in it the depth of his learning, the range of his curiosity, but also the compulsion to create something new and lasting. If, like me, you love the old-school country, then you’ll just love the swing-style Heart Trouble. Pure Texas honky-tonk with Richard Nelson’s pedal steel, John Fitzpatrick’s fiddle and John McCullough’s piano jamming in perfect syncopation behind and around Bap’s laid-back vocal without a hint of a pseudo southern twang that mars so much UK-based attempts at country authenticity. There’s a kind of easy-going calypso feel to Under My Wing, but it’s not overdone; just sounds natural and real. I had empathy with Strange Kid, especially the chorus—we’ve all looked in the mirror and been confused to see: ‘Some strange kid looking back at me; some strange kid that’s what I see.’ Bap Kennedy has this natural skill of being able to write about everyday feelings and emotions and matching them to inventive and memorable melodies. He does it again and again throughout this album with a timeless sound for an ageless crowd. He sets things up nicely with the gentle, yearning melody of the opening title song. He has a warm, inviting voice and the understated production suits the song’s mood, enhanced further by the delicate harmonies of Brenda Kennedy. Crisp upbeat production and instrumental elements shine on the optimistic, instantly likeable Revelation Blues. A chugging rhythm driven along by inspired fiddle and what sounds like an organ buried deep in the mix. He travels ‘south of the border’ with King Of Mexico with softly stroked acoustic guitar, hints of accordion and a superb Bap Kennedy vocal. There’s a definite 1960s retro feel to the pedal steel driven Radio Waves, with a gorgeous sha-la chorus and a deep-twang Duane Eddy-sounding lead guitar. I could go on and on, but really I’m having too much fun just listening to this quite brilliant album. Though we’re hardly into 2014, this is without doubt the best British country album of the year. And I doubt that any other act will come close to matching it in the ensuing 12 months! Alan Cackett View on review website. Click here to preorder Let's Start Again Bap's new album "Let's Start Again" has received another very favourable review from Northern Sky music magazine. The full review reads as follows: The former lead singer with Belfast's Energy Orchard releases his sixth solo album LET'S START AGAIN, featuring eleven new self-penned songs, each imbued with a strong Americana feel. With an impressive back catalogue of album releases, one or two produced by notable musicians such as Mark Knopfler and Steve Earle, it's hardly surprising that any subsequent albums would see the singer/songwriter strive for excellence and for this album, Kennedy returns to Mudd Wallace, producer of some of Kennedy's earlier band work. With clear and unfussy production, the songs are revealed as both slick and accomplished and at the same time highly accessible, with engaging melodies and mature lyrics. Surrounding himself with musicians that have worked as part of Kennedy's live band, including his wife Brenda Kennedy on bass, Gordy McAllister on guitar and Rabb Bennett on drums, the songs are treated to some fine accompaniment, each with an Americana flavour, particularly King of Mexico, with its south of the border flavour and the wireless-pally Radio Waves. In places, the band really swings as on Heart Trouble and Fool's Paradise, both of which explore the diverse genres as Western Swing and Calypso respectively. Any problems deciding where to file this album, just stick it alongside your Cooders, Haitts and Tom Russells. Allan Wilkinson Northern Sky Click here to view on review website Click here to preorder Let's Start Again The following is the text of a review of Bap Kennedy's new album "Let's Start Again" by Fatea : Let's Start Again' is a bit of a return to his roots for Northern Irishman Bap Kennedy. Having spent many years as a member of Belfast rockers Energy Orchard and spells of recording as a solo artist in England and America, he's returned home to record his new album under the watchful eyes of co-producer Mudd Wallace for whom the country based sound of the album is also a sort of 'coming home' as well - something he's always seen as the natural home for Bap. Coming off the back of some extensive touring with, and also working alongside, Mark Knopfler (who in turn had played and done production work on 'The Sailor's Revenge' album), the record also has much more of an easy and relaxed feel to it following on from the more Celtic ambience of his previous effort. With a set of backing musicians based around his usual live band -wife Brenda on bass and vocals, guitarist Gordy McAllister and Rab Bennett on drums - there are a number of cameo performances which add the icing to the cake of Kennedy's three minute song showcases. 'Song Of Her Desire' features Richard Nelson's subtle dobro over the shuffling rhythm, while it's John Fitzpatrick's fiddle which also provides the finishing touches to several of Bap's song structures. For anyone seeking a bit of a change of pace from the more tranquil country vibe, check out the Latino flavour of 'King Of Mexico' which delves into a slowed down La Bamba territory along with what seems like its distant musical cousin in 'Fool's Paradise'. For something a bit more driving, there's the uptempo 'Revelation Blues' with Vinty Gilbert's banjo to the fore and then 'Heart Trouble' delves into more of a jazzy area with the fiddle leading again. The album is literally bookended with a couple of lyrically philosophical pieces - both the title track and album closer, 'Let It Go' have that reflective feel about them which comes from a world weariness and show a songwriter in contemplative yet not overly profound mood. As a bonus for new fans, there's the sweetener of an extra CD of material gathered from his previous 'Domestic Blues', Lonely Street'. Howl On' and 'The Big Picture' albums so it's hard to fault this as a package which exudes excellence in its low key yet high quality songwriting and performance. Mike Ainscoe Click here to view on review site Click here to preorder Let's Start Again When roots music authority No Depression reviewed Bap’s last album they described it as “his masterpiece” They have now issued a review for Let’s Start Again in which compare the two albums. And their conclusion is that Let’s Start Again “has matched it (TSR) in every detail, which is a stroke of genius” Below is the full text of No Depression's review : I’ve been a fan of Bap Kennedy’s music since the Power-Punk days of Energy Orchard in the late 1980’s and own every solo album he’s recorded and I can honestly say LET’S START AGAIN and THE SAILOR’S REVENGE are by far the best albums he’s ever made. After touring and recording for nigh on 30 years Kennedy looked and sounded like he’d had enough with the music business; but the spark was re-kindled when he met and married the delectable Brenda and his new found joie de vivre comes across in not only his writing; but his singing too. The title track LET’S START AGAIN is, perhaps the most obvious song on the album and sounds like a man who can’t believe his luck at finding ‘true love’ at this stage of his life. It has to be said that Brenda supplies some sublime harmonies too. This is followed by Revelation Blues which is the closest he’s come to sounding like Energy Orchard in years; with John Fitzpatrick making his fiddle fizz as Gordy McAllister performs his usual magic on the guitar in the background. King of Mexico has a soft mariachi beat; which sounded odd at first, but when you know the songwriter you know he has always had a fascination with this part of the world (check out Fools Paradise too) and it was only a matter of time before it ended up on record. It wouldn’t surprise me if the song eventually turned up on a Raul Malo album, by the way. Two songs caught my attention on the first listening – Radio Waves; which absolutely nails the fascination many of us have with the Cosmos and features the finest Sha La La La Lees that didn’t come out of Motown! The other is the Countrified Let It Go which neatly ends the album in a way, only a man ‘at one with himself’ could write or sing. From start to finish there is an air of mischief and romance threading their way through every song as Bap and his band jump from musical style to style, without anything ever sounding out of place. Bap hasn’t managed to better THE SAILORS REVENGE; which I described as his Masterpiece, but he has managed to match it in every detail and nuance which is a stroke of genius. Alan Harrison Click here to access the full review on the No Depression website. Click here to preorder Let's Start Again Bap's new album Let's Start Again has received a 5 Star review with one song in particular described as follows: "Song of her desire" reminds me of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground - it's got that similar vocal tone, but Bap's song is slightly faster paced. It's a great song and one of my favourites on the album" The full text of the review is as follows: Bap Kennedy is back with his sixth solo album. Before starting his solo career he was lead singer and primary songwriter for Belfast rock band Energy Orchard, with whom he recorded 5 albums. In his solo career he's toured supporting Mark Knopfler who also produced and appeared on Bap's last album, "The Sailors revenge" and has also worked with Shane McGowan, Van Morrison and Steve Earle. For this album he chose to record it in Northern Ireland, and as well as the band he's toured with for the last year or so since the release of the last album, he's also brought in a number of local musicians - altogether 10 people play instruments on the album and there are also six additional singers for backing vocals. Brief comments on a couple of tracks... "Song of her desire" reminds me of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground - it's got that similar vocal tone, but Bap's song is slightly faster paced. It's a great song and one of my favourites on the album. "Revelation blues" has a nice fast cheerful style with a definite Country feel to it. There's a real Americana feel to the album. It's packed full of great songs and is one of those albums you can listen to over and over again - highly recommended. Anthony May Festival Photo.net Click here to read the full review in Festival Photo.net Click here to preorder Let's Start Again (release date 3 Feb 2014) The very first review for Bap's forthcoming album (3 Feb) has just come in from prestigious online publication Folkwords......... Bap Kennedy is one of those gifted singer-songwriters seemingly able to morph their talent at will drifting into and across a range of genres, both for their own solo work and in conjunction with other artists. His latest album ‘Let’s Start Again’ (the 6th offering of his solo material) slides his singular ability away from familiar Celtic directions and closer to Americana folk – and the result is an exceptionally listenable album. ‘Let’s Start Again’ exerts a compelling, soothing melodic lure made all the more gripping by sharply formed lyrics. There’s a laid-back relaxed feel coming through the richly, layered melodies engendered no doubt through the talented list of performers joining Bap on the album. The weave they lay behind his vocals and lyrics is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The team includes Brenda Boyd Kennedy (electric bass) Gordy McAllister (acoustic lead, electric lead and slide guitar) John McCullough (keyboards, accordion) John Fitzpatrick (fiddle) Noel Lenaghan (mandolin) Rabb Bennett (drums) Richard Nelson (pedal steel, dobro) Trevor Dyer (stand-up and stick bass) and Vinty Gilbert (banjo). Opening with the reflective, lyrically tough title track ‘Let’s Start Again’ takes a long hard look at reality and fighting in the face of time. There’s a gear-shift into the ‘rootsy’ pulse of ‘Revelation Blues’ and ‘If Things Don’t Change’ before a distinct Latin twist hits out through the groove of ‘King of Mexico’. The lazily, somnolent ‘Radio Waves’ continues the lyrical richness “I’ve fallen in love but I think I’m over the worst. Music can save you but it might try to kill you first.” And then there’s excruciating self-examination of ‘Strange Kid’ while the definitive observation in ‘Let it Go’ speaks volumes. ‘Let’s Start Again’ is another album for your collection - without doubt . Reviewer: Dan Holland Click here to preorder Let's Start Again Archives
October 2018
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