Escribo poco, estoy vago... lo reconozco. No es que abandone la musica, eso es imposible. Cada dia me eleva el espiritu, buscando la cancion perfecta, aquellas notas que te tocan la fibra, esa voz que te hace llorar.. y a veces, esta en la musica mas simple y sencilla, en autores que no son estridentes, que son musicos reales. En esta categoria esta Bap Kennedy, un hombre que nunca sera un superventas, pero que nos regala musica increible, llena de sentimiento. Un poco como Ron Sexsmith... Canciones regadas de folk, de tradicion, de blues, de Irlanda. Gran disco, os espera... More... Een wervend mailtje uit Noord-Ierland wijst me op het album Let’s Start Again. Het is het zesde solo album van de uit Belfast afkomstige bard Bap Kennedy. Samen met vrouwlief Brenda (vocals en bas) en een groep uitgelezen musici uit Noord-Ierland serveert hij ons, verdeeld over twee schijfjes, 22 pareltjes die er ingaan als een preek in een ouderling. De eerste schijf bevat elf nieuwe liedjes van Baps hand die hij opnam met co-producer Mudd Wallace. Het muzikale stijlgebied is overheersend op de countryroots georiënteerd. Een stijlgebied waarin Kennedy zich al vanaf zijn jonge jaren bijzonder thuis voelt. Voor de broodnodige variatie voegt hij daar invloeden aan toe uit de volksmuziek met een Keltisch randje, countryblues, Tex-Mex en popmuziek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk7Fj7pe8As Opnieuw maakt Bap duidelijk waarom Steve Earle hem de beste liedjesschrijver noemt die hij ooit gehoord heeft. Niet voor niets produceerde Earle in 1998 Kennedy’s debuutalbum Domestic Blues. Kennedy’s vocale verrichtingen zijn ook nu weer excellent, terwijl de nieuw geschreven liedjes een welhaast vanzelfsprekende eeuwigheidswaarde bevatten. Naast het instrumentale geweld van een groep Ierse klasbakken is het vooral de uit de live band van Kennedy afkomstige stergitarist Gordy McAllister die met zijn kundige spel een hoofdrol opeist. De bonus-cd bevat liedjes van eerder verschenen albums als Domestic Blues, Lonely Street, The Big Picture en Howl On. Twee akoestische versies van de liedjesJimmy Sanchez en Please Return To Jesus maken deze sympathieke productie compleet. (Koos Gijsman) Bergamo News, Italy - 4 Star review21/3/2014 ARTISTA : Bap Kennedy TITOLO: Let’s Start Again GIUDIZIO: **** Bap Kennedy è di Belfast ed ha circa 50 anni. Ha amicizie importanti: Van Morrison, Steve Earle e Mark Knopfler stravedono per lui. L’ultimo dei citati gli ha perfino prodotto l’ultimo lavoro di due anni fa, il bellissimo “Tha Sailor’s Revenge”, un disco che proponeva una fusione, quasi perfetta, tra le sonorità del country e quelle di certa musica celtica. Dopo un inizio punk negli anni ’80, Bap Kennedy forma gli Energy Orchard, una band dedita al rock che scioglie nella seconda metà degli anni ’90. Poi una carriera solista fatta di un sempre più manifesto amore verso la musica tradizionale (americana e irlandese). Let’s Start Again è sostanzialmente diverso dal suo predecessore: molto più orientato alla roots music americana con forti accenti country, benché ancora registrato nel nord dell’Irlanda. I primi riferimenti che mi sono venuti in mente sono quelli di Guy Clark, di Rosanne Cash, diJimmy Buffet e, tornando indietro nel tempo, della Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, di Loggins and Messina, dei Poco e di Warren Zevon per alcuni richiami alla musica del centro/sud America. Se siete amanti del “genere” troverete in Let’s Star Again piena soddisfazione, perché questo è un disco veramente bello, fatto di canzoni di grande valore, tutte, singolarmente degne di menzione, neanche una brutta, e che spaziano dal country al rock anni ’50, al calipso. L’inizio è affidato alla title track, una ballata ispirata con una bella melodia, banjo e organo a svolgere il ruolo principale, che poi lascia il palcoscenico a Revelation Blues, un brano di stampo molto tradizionale con violino, spazzole e “fisa” che propongono un clima gioioso. Things Don’t Change è contagiosa nella sua leggerezza resa ancor più accentuata dalla presenza di cori doo wop e dai suoni particolarmente briosi del violino, mentre sapori caraibici (che ricordano vagamente Guantanamera) introducono, non a caso, King of Mexico e allora il riferimento ai Los Lobos è immediato. Song of her Desire potrebbe, tanto è delicata, essere uscita da uno degli ultimi due dischi diRosanne Cash, così come Radio Waves, più misurata ed elegante, con la “steel” e un coro memorabile a descrivere un’atmosfera sognante. L’allegria riprende con il ritmo e il violino di Heart Trouble, un brano country & western con cori ancora doo wop che ci riportano alle orecchie i suoni di certa musica che era famigliare ai padri del rock ‘n’ roll. Under My Wing è ancora leggera e caraibica e potrebbe essere tratta da uno dei lavori più ispirati di Jimmy Buffet mentre Strange Kid sta a metà tra il cantautorato e la voglia di country and western e ricorda Lyle Lovett. Fool’s Paradise è di nuovo Jimmy Buffet style, con i suoi profumi caraibici. Chiara è la volontà di dare all’ascoltatore buone vibrazioni, di farlo stare bene. Sapiente è il lavoro della produzione che assembla suoni particolarmente piacevoli ed accattivanti. Chiude il tutto Let It Go, una sorta di valzer con il violino ancora protagonista La produzione del disco è affidata a Mudd Wallace, mentre ad accompagnare Bap Kennedy è la band che lo segue dal vivo, rafforzata da alcune presenze eccellenti come la moglie Brenda Boyd Kennedy al basso e ai cori che ci offre una magistrale interpretazione del suo talento nella canzone posta all’apertura del lavoro. La versione a mia disposizione presenta anche un secondo disco, molto piacevole, dove sono raccolti altri brani del passato alcuni in versione acustica. Grande disco, piacevole, suonato benissimo. Certo che se volete la novità o suoni duri o almeno spigolosi meglio cercare altrove. Se volete invece buona musica qui vi troverete perfettamente a vostro agio. Brother Giober Bap Kennedy's new album Let's Start Again has been awarded a score of 6 out of 6 from Dagbladet Dagbladet is one of the largest newspapers in Norway and uses a scoring system based on 6 sided dice. Many thanks to Jan Krogh for the following translation from Norwegian: It is many years since Elvis Costello stated something like that all the songs already written, that it is not possible to create something genuinely new. But it is indeed possible to turn it over and add music a spark and a glow that makes it sensational. Bap (51) is from Belfast, among his admirers and friends are Van Morrison. Bap debuted with the band Energy Orchard in 1990 and recorded five albums with them before he became a solo artist in 1998, urged by Steve Earle who produced his debut. His previous album, the Celtic sounding masterpiece "The Sailor's Revenge" (2012) was produced by Mark Knopfler. The 11 songs on "Let's Start Again" is recorded by the finest team of Northern Irish musicians, among them kennedys wife, Brenda. One song sounds more distinct and beautifully arranged than the other, while Kennedy gently cruises through americana genres in low gear, rockabilly, western swing, mariachi. Songwriter art by first class, performed without affectation, but the meaning behind every word. Fredrik Wandrup EuroAmericana chart - No. 34/3/2014 Bap’s new album, LET’S START AGAIN is currently sitting at No 3 in the EuroAmericana chart.
LET’S START AGAIN was released by Proper Records Ltd in 3 versions – Standard (single CD), Bonus (2xCD) &Vinyl LP LET’S START AGAIN is available from all good music outlets, or from: Bap’s website (Albums signed by Bap. Worldwide shipping) Proper Records Ltd Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk I tunes (download including bonus track “Things Fall Apart”) Valentine's Day in The Sun !14/2/2014 The one-time purveyor of post punk mayhem in The Energy Orchard has long been bracketed in the box marked "Americana" for his solo work. As the title suggests, the Northern Irishman's latest effort does feel like a fresh start, as it bottles up some of the old, er, energy!
This is most obvious on the fizzling, fiddle-laced Revelation Blues, while the title track suggests a man finding happiness with his "true love" Bap Kennedy has been making albums for the best part of 25 years, and on this evidence there is still plenty left in the tank! CS FROM BUSCADERO - ITALY Review from prestigious Italian music magazine BUSCADERO.
Translated by Corrado Ori Tanzi : Since when in 1996 Martin “Bap” Kennedy brought to an end his adventure with Energy Orchard, whose first albums we appreciated so much, we can declare without a chance to be denied, that in his songwriting he always went in search of a quality that, step by step, has grown to lead him to his fifth studio album, Sailor’s Revenge (2011), dry run of “little masterpiece”. The whole of it is the result both of a natural talent gift and of important attendances and collaborations (Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison above all and in that case it was Knopfler to give strength to the arrangements and to enhance them with the touch of his guitar). Bap’s voice is the first of the two assets that make him a complete artist, a lethal weapon. As a matter of fact his soft and compelling intonation “pierces” the caressing melodies (and in this latest disk we can find many of them), in the long-term it gets underneath the skin and then it’s impossible to get along without the company of the irish artist. Let’s Start Again, this is the second asset, is an album with eleven little pearls, maybe even better than the ones in Sailor’s Revenge, as far as the writing is concerned. It’s difficult to chose from the bunch, because Mr Kennedy passes throughout the music genres with a great facility, just like a knife through the butter, succeeding in giving the whole album an enviable compactness. Maybe also because the band accompanies with tact, no member tries to stand out, everything runs well-rounded. And yet the equipment’s rich and works in an unison way even in those apparently less radiant tracks just as Revelation Blues, that distantly reminds some stuff from the Orchard’s period or the gloomy, terrific Radio Waves with its slow tempo, the sha la la la chorus and a pedal steel that plays with the acoustic guitar and the organ, King Mexico and Fool’s Paradise with their Caribbean taste (the first one in particular would be the joy of Jimmy Buffett), the blues-country of If Things Don’t Change, the swing in Heart Trouble (the backing vocal arrangement created as a counterpoint is astounding) sound like the “Van Morrison american period” so deeply. There’s time and space to refer about a very sweet, fantastic Song Of Her Desire that clearly explains the talent of this superb irish artist as far as the writing is concerned. Among various musicians which give their best contribution we refer first of all Brenda Boyd, Bap’s wife, able to create beautiful vocal harmonies and on the bass, John Fitzpatrick on fiddle, Gordy McAllister on electric guitars but the list should go on because everyone plays an important role to achieve a result that makes it up with music. This is an album that must be listened to various times before matching it on the kennedyan ranking. It’ll spread around your heart and be sure it’ll be a sweet knock out, maybe it won’t be considered as great as its predecessor, that got a remarkable production, but here you can find “the songs” and this will be rally important to give it the right score it deserves. “In your heart you must know, the time has come and gone, let it go” sings Bap in the last track greeting us. Last but not least it’s time to signal that, just like happened with the previous album, the beautiful Deluxe Edition contains a second CD best that picks up eleven tracks taken from his solo albums and in addition two acoustic and unreleased before versions of Jimmy Sanchez and Please Return to Jesus Gianni Zuretti Buscadero Translation by Corrado Ori Tanzi REVIEW OF BAP KENNEDY'S ALBUM "LET'S START AGAIN" from Americana UK:
Bap Kennedy is one of those artists who has, over the years, won the hearts and minds of fellow musicians, critics and a dedicated band of followers who eagerly await each of his releases. Although he started off with Celtic rockers Energy Orchard he firmly nailed his colours to the Americana mast with his first solo album, Domestic Blues which was recorded in Nashville under the auspices of Steve Earle, producer. Since then Kennedy has wavered somewhat between his roots and his affinity towards the new world with his previous release ('The Sailor's Revenge') tilted towards the Celtic end. For 'Let's Start Again', he's attempted to bridge the Atlantic by recording a bunch of songs very much in the Americana vein in his native Ulster with local musicians (including his wife Brenda and touring members of his band Gordy McAllister on guitar and Rabb Bennett on drums). The album kicks off strongly with the title song featuring some fine harmonies from Brenda Kennedy and a gentle country vibe from the band with soothing keyboard, rippling mandolin and sneaky Dobro. 'Revelation Blues' is a fine roots rocker with fiery fiddle over a pell mell rhythm that packs a punch. So far so good, but Kennedy ups the ante with the excellent honky tonk blues of 'If Things Don't Change' with some nice fat pedal steel beefing up the sound. King Of Mexico should be a winner as Bap goes south for some sunny sounds and there's no doubt that it's well delivered with accordion and mariachi type guitar picking but its initial similarity to a laid back 'La Bamba' and the lack of grit makes for a tourist advert rather than the reality of life down there. Kennedy recovers with the double whammy of 'Song Of Her Desire', a yearning love song with some fine Dobro playing and 'Radio Waves' which revisits border territory and can be a considered a close cousin to Dave Alvin's Border Radio. From here on in it's somewhat akin to listening to a juke joint jukebox with 'Heart Trouble' offering some Western swing. 'Strange Kid' borrowing from Robert Johnston's 'Four Until Late' and giving it a country lick while 'Fool's Paradise' takes us back into the Mexican tourist brochure. The final song, 'Let It Go' is a return to form; border tinged but with some grit and earthiness, groovy keyboard, swinging fiddle and spiky guitar it recalls the spirit of Doug Sahm and that's something Kennedy can be proud of. The review copy we received was a limited edition double album with the second CD a collection of songs from Kennedy's solo career. It adds a couple of quid on the price but for collectors and beginners to his music well worth a punt. Paul Kerr Americana UK Click here to access on review site "Verklankt hij die dromen" (NETHERLANDS)11/2/2014 (Dreams set to music) The following is the text of a review from Written In Music of Bap Kennedy's album "Let's Start Again" (in the original Dutch). De titel Let’s Start Again lijkt meer dan accuraat voor een nieuw album van Bap Kennedy. Nadat de uit Belfast afkomstige Kennedy, 51 inmiddels, in de jaren tachtig en negentig new wave-achtige rock liet horen in de band Energy Orchard, en zich op de steun van Van Morrison mocht verheugen, hield de groep het na een paar toch voor gezien. Een echte doorbraak kwam immers maar niet. Zodra Kennedy op eigen benen kwam te staan, kwam er bericht uit de VS. Behalve de Ier Van Morrison bleek er ook aan de overkant van de Atlantische Oceaan een beroemde fan te wonen, Steve Earle. Hij noemde Kennedy later ‘de beste songschrijver die ik ooit zag’. Dat talent manifesteert zich in de jaren van 1998 tot nu in een reeks albums die telkens een andere kant van Kennedy laten zien. Of, zoals je het een kritischer standpunt ook kunt zeggen: Kennedy heeft wat moeite één richting te kiezen. Zo neemt hij een album met Hank Williams-covers op, een zelfgeschreven album met songs in de stijl van Elvis Presley en Hank Williams en twee platen in samenwerking met producer/gitarist Mark Knopfler. De laatste drukt een stevig stempel op het geluid van Kennedy’s voorlaatste album The Sailor’s Revenge. Zijn nieuwste plaat is weer eens opgenomen in thuisland Ierland en Kennedy wordt erop begeleid door zijn vaste tourband, waarin sinds 2005 ook zijn vrouw Brenda zit. Haar vocalen vormen een belangrijk bestanddeel van het openings- en titelnummer. Hoe ouder je wordt, hoe moeilijk het is opnieuw te beginnen. Maar het kan nog wel, zingen Bap en Brenda samen, omdat ze weten dat het over hen gaat. Met Radio Waves, dat gaat over het schrijven van een toegankelijke hit, lijkt Kennedy zowaar datgene gedaan te hebben wat hij in de tekst beschrijft. Idool Elvis komt twee keer voorbij, in If Things Don’t Change, dat gaat over het gevoel als jongere opgesloten te zitten in Belfast, verwijst Kennedy muzikaal naar Elvis’ postume hit Way Down uit 1977. Het is niet het meest memorabele Elvis-nummer, ook niet van Kennedy. Heart Trouble slaat de spijker meer op de kop: stel je toch eens voor dat ik had kunnen werken in de Brill Building, een deur verder dan Leiber en Stoller. En stel je voor dat Elvis dan langskwam bij Jerry en Mike en mij dit nummer hoorde spelen… Op je 51ste mag je nog dromen hebben. Sterker nog, moet je nog dromen, stelt Bap Kennedy met dit album. Op het eerste gehoor verklankt hij die dromen niet in elk nummer even spannend, maar het geheim van dit album verraadt zich nog niet bij eerste beluistering. Edwin Wendt Written In Music (Netherlands) (Bap Kennedy - Europe's foremost ambassador for contemporary American music folklore) The following is the original text of Norwegian review of Bap's Let's Start Again
(AudioFidelity, Norway) Den 3. Februar 1959 vil for alltid være en merkedag i musikkhistorien. Faktisk dagen musikken døde, intet mindre. I alle fall i følge Don McLean. Vi snakker selvsagt om flytragedien der Buddy Holly, Richie Valens og Jiles «The Big Bopper» Richardson alle omkom. Den magre trøst i den sammenheng får være at Waylon Jennings overlevde. Som kjent fordi han på ekte gentlemans manér overlot sin reserverte plass på samme flyvning til den influensaplagede og siste av de foran nevnte. Man tenker derfor sitt når en av samtidens mest begavede komponister og utøvere av klassisk americana-musikk slipper sitt åttende underverk nøyaktig på dagen 55 år senere. Tittelen på albumet bærer til alt overmål tittelen «Let's Start Again». Inntil videre får vi tro akkurat den biten er et tilfeldig sammentreff. Skjønt opphavsmannen selv i lett kryptiske vendinger sender oss en personlig hilsen med den klargjørende opplysning om at «intet i universet er tilfeldig, det kommuniserer med oss gjennom en liten ire som medium»! Den føles uansett vital den musikk som hentes opp fra rillene i 12'' glinsende, svart og jomfruelig vinyl, som de siste dagene har fått tung rotasjon hjemme i undertegnedes private gemakker. Nå har tross alt nettopp slikt også vært tilfelle med de syv foregående opus fra den uhyre oppegående låtmagiker fra Belfast, slik det også var i hans tid som frontmann i Energy Orchard. Et noe mer poprock-orientert orkester som oppnådde betydelig kultstatus i svingende London på nittitallet, ikke minst takket være sine live-opptredener på metropolens klubbscene. Opp gjennom hele solokarrieren har Bap Kennedy samarbeidet tett med mange av samtidens største dignitærer, spesielt fra countrysjangeren. Det globalt skamroste, men her på berget pinlig oversette «A Sailors Revenge», var jo - bare som eksempel - tilgodestt med bistand fra Mark Knopfler, både som produsent og gitarist. Steve Earle har jo også helt siden London-dagene vært en fast støttespiller, og blandt mere produsert de to første av Kennedys soloutgivelser. Ingen av disse kara er involvert i «Lets Start Again», hvor Kennedy selv i tospann med Mudd Wallace har vært å finne bak miksepulten. Muligens er ikke navnene linket til det ferske opus spesielt familiære for de aller fleste. Men ingen grunn til bekymnring. Vi vet Bap Kennedy går for kvalitet når han plukker sine våpendragere. Alle som var heldige nok til å få med seg en eller flere av de tre konsertene Bap Kennedy Trio gav i Norge sist høst vet nok hva jeg snakker om, for aldri noensinne har undertegnede fått servert mer inspirerende og medrivende gitarspill enn hva Gordy McAllister leverte fra scenen de aktuelle kveldene. For ikke å snakke om innlevelsen og samspillet trioen imellom. Og selve spillehumøret, like lett å verge seg mot, som et ebolavirusutbrudd i et japansk rushtidstog. Utrolig nok er bidragene fra samme McAllister på «Let's Start Again» aller første gang denne sanne virtous kan høres på lagret, fysisk format. Til daglig har han stort sett livnært seg som gitarinstruktør, i tillegg til å spille nyere og eldre blues og andre folketoner rundt på sin mer loksale pub- og musikklubbscene. Det sier egentlig alt om hvilken bunnløs brønn av kvalitetsmusikere den grønne øya har å øse fra. Jeg har faktisk selv, helt tilfeldig, overvært en kveld med McAllister som husmusikant i en av Belfasts mer kjente etablissementer av sådan karakter. Også den gang var hans gitarspill frapperende og briljant. Jeg ante selvsagt ikke den gang, at jeg noen få år senere skulle få oppleve han i Oslo. Nå er det selvsagt ikke å forvente at all nerve og intensitet lar seg gjenskape på et lagret medium. Gjenhøret med McAllister på plate er likevel hjertelig. Kanskje kunne jeg ønsket han fikk litt mer boltringsplass enn det han her har fått. Men det er Bap Kennedy som er sjefen, og vet hva han driver med. Innspillingen ellers låter absolutt organisk. Så er det også en klar overvekt av akustiske instrumenter involvert i denne produksjonen. Å kalle det hele utpreget audiofilt, vil dog være å ta litt vel i. Baps kone Brenda trakterer også her sin elektriske Fender Bass. Det eneste noe utradisjonelle element i albumets totale orkestrering er enkelte innslag av orgel,som forøvrig bidrar til å gi en dæsj gospel-feeling. Det er også en glede å kunne rapportere at Bap Kennedy er en sanger i fortsatt utvikling, som her varierer i fraseringene på en mer dristig måte enn noen gang tidligere. I tilleg er som vanlig timingen direkte uangripelig. Tar vi for oss albumtittel og tittelkuttets tekst tenker man kanskje først og fremst på et tradisjonelt mellommenneskelig parforhold. Men det blir nok noe forenklet. Ikke at teksten ikke kan fungere på den måten, men vi aner selvsagt en dobbel bunn her også. Denne teksten – som mange av de øvrige – gir meg inntrykk av en mann som har kommet til et kritisk punkt i livet. På tide å oppsummere. Godta det som har vært, og legge det bak seg. Død og begravet. Gjort er gjort. På tide å rette blikket fremover og ha et fokus. Det er tross alt begrenset med tid igjen. Noe som kanskje understrekes ytterligere i avsluttende «Let It Go», med linjer som «Even God can't change the past». Generelt kan noen av tekstene her også tolkes som angreskrift eller bønn om tilgivelse. Ikke minst «Song Of Her Desire», som med linjene «Baby I didn't see the time, and I wasted years that where not mine, I can hardly beleive my eyes at the things I missed, or let slip by». men nå har innsett at det er ved røttene han hører hjemme. Eller En mulig metafor for Kennedys personlige forhold og følelser i forhold til Belfast by, som han i mange år var borte fra. En by som alle vet har en meget spesiell historie, som mange regelrett rømte fra. Dog har aldri Kennedy hensunket til å dra noen billige, sekteriske poenger ut av den, slik andre jeg neppe trenger nevne navnet til har gjort på dety mest skamløse vis. Bap Kennedy har nok aldri sett seg selv som et produkt eller offer av «the troubles», selv om han er født og oppvokst midt i hele konfliktens absolutte geografiske episenter, Falls Road. I «Fools Paradise» er det ytterste laget en enkel fortelling om en som har funnet dama i sitt liv etter flere år som ubekymret ungkar. Mon tro det ikke også beskriver en musiker som på narrens bekymringsløse vis har prøvd livet som popstjerne, før han finner tilbake til sine sanne musikalske røtter. Eller igjen byen og folka der han hører hjemme. Hvem vet? Han virker dog andre steder underveis også ganske direkte og rett frem. Som for eksempel i «Radio Waves», en hymne som lovpriser fenomenet radiobølger, som med lysets hastighet kan bringe stemmen hans like ut i verdensrommet. Kanskje sitter noen i en fjern galakse og hører på han nå? Han viser i samme låt at han fortsatt er ytterst tilstede i egen tilværelse, med verset «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». Det er all grunn til å tro Bap vet hva han snakker om her. Skal jeg trekke en overordnet konklusjon over albumets tematikk, må det bli historien om en mann som endelig har funnet sin ankerplass i livet. Både kulturelt, emosjonelt og geografisk. Det får ellers bli opp til hver enkelt å gjøre sine respektive tolkninger av de på sedvanlig Kennedy-vis velformulerte tekster. Han har en formidabel evne til å styre unna den mest opplagte klisjẽbruk. Ikke ulikt grunnmassen Kennedys musikk er modellert av, er tekstenes oppbygning en fint avstemt blend av bluesens effektive minimalisme, countryens jordnærhet, og folkloristisk spiritualistiske tilnærminger. Vi finner i hovedsak to fellesnevnere for låmaterialet på «Let's Start Again». De har alle 11 sine røtter i det nordamerikanske kontinent, og samtlige ført i pennen av Kennedy selv. Med «Let's Start Again» har dermed Kennedy tatt steget tilbake til der han startet sin solokarriere, Det tilsier klassisk americana i diverse regionale varianter. Som samtidig like forbannet er forbundet med hverandre og all annen folkemusikk. Kennedy har ikke forsølt å finne opp kruttet på nytt denne gangen heller. Det trengs heller ikke, da det er mer enn nok sprengkraft igjen i denne sjangeren. En sjanger som har vist seg usedvanlig slitesterk Ikke dermed sagt at Kennedy ikke har sitt sin egen signatur på verket. Riktignok er alle de keltiske elementene som ga «A Sailors Revenge» sitt særpreg totalt utelatt. Det som er igjen av Belfast, er dialekten, som et trenet øre kan detektere flere steder underveis. Selv om dette er albumet er solid fundamentert i den amerikanske tradisjonen, hører vi innimellom nyanser også fra denne siden atlanteren. Det er som Stetson er bytta med sixpence. Buffalo bytta med Dr Martens, Hovedkjernen er uansett country, kledd i tidens produksjonsdrakt. Det hele åpner altså med tittellåta, en relativt rolig affære, som sleper seg fremover, glidene på et mykt lag av lapsteel under støvlene. «Revelation Blues», med sitt gospelrefreng og drivende bluegrasstempo skrur tempoet et knepp opp, men holder dansefoten i ro. Et djevelsk barn, med direkte blodlinjer til både Johnny Cash og David Eugene Edwards. Albumets mest illevarslende tekst bare bygger opp under en gotisk grunnstemning. Til tross for trist tittel, atskillig lysere i «Heart Trouble», en ekte Texas swing-stomp, hvis note- og tekstark meget vel kan stamme fra et innbrudd i en blå Cadillac, parkert på veiskulderen et sted langs Oak Hill, West Virginia, nyttårs morgen 1953. Enda mer honky tonk i påfølgende «If Things Don't Change», hvor Kennedy likegodt har rappa hele doningen og kjørt en svipptur over til Bakersfield. Derfra er turen relativt kort over grensa til Mexico og «Fools Paradise». Og slik fortsetter det nordover igjen til bensintanken går tom sånn omtrent ved 116 5th Avenue, Nashville. Med nevnte «Let It Go» i bedagelig valsetakt sivende ut fra Rymans, kan vi vanskelig konkludere annerledes enn at hele turen med Bap bak rattet har vært en svært så inspirerende reise. Og det på første klasse. Med «Let's Start Again» befester Bap Kennedy sin posisjon som Europas fremste ambassadør for moderne amerikansk musikkfolklore. Jan Myrvold AudioFidelity (Norway) (All songs composed with taste, forming a virtuous chain to listen to start to finish) The following is a translation (By Google!) of an Italian review from prestigious music publication Popolo Del Blues Bap Kennedy has taken a lot of satisfaction in their professional life. The collaborations with Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Steve Earle over the inclusion of his song (Moonlight Kiss) in the movie Serendipity with John Cusack. Not bad for the Belfast Northern Ireland who arrived at his sixth album of his own material. Songs, those of Let's Start Again, which refer to the lesson of the American style in all its facets. A hard thinking written in Nashville, Austin, and all the places for good music overseas. From the song that gives title to the album, almost a declaration of intent, to the blues of If Things do not Change, the country ballad of Radio Waves, the swing of Heart Trouble, the tex mex Fool's Paradise. All songs composed with taste, forming a virtuous chain to listen to from beginning to end.Maybe "on the road" in the CD player of the car. Or maybe even for long trips, since the deluxe edition contains a second disc of the same characteristics and the same quality. Michelle Manzotti Click here to read on the review site in the original Italian Belfast singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy has been famous there for many years, having recorded many acclaimed solo albums over the past decade. Best known for writing Moonlight Kiss, featured on the soundtrack for the film Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, it looked as though his time had come back in 2005 with the release of the critically-acclaimed Big Picture. A gifted lyricist and singer, Kennedy has veered into a new direction on Let's Start Again, with this batch of songs incorporating Americana, blues and country, to the extent it could have come straight out of Nashville. The album bristles with excellent compositions, including Revelation Blues, Under My Wing and Fool's Paradise. This is an engaging and mesmerising listen. Kim Mayo Press Association The following is the text of a review from Netrhythms: For his sixth solo album, the Belfast singer-songwriter's taken an upbeat roots approach that swings between the bluesy roll of If Things Don't Change, the relaxed country twang of Radio Waves with its sha la backing vocals and the Western swing of Heart Trouble. Dylan's influence rears its head on the urgent bluesy, fiddle scratched Revelation Blues while the border country flavour of the pedal steel coated Let's Start Again, King of Mexico, Fool's Paradise and Under My Wing summon various echoes of Doug Sahm, the Mavericks and Ry Cooder. The album closes in fine old school country style with wife Brenda's harmonies, John Fitzpatrick's fiddle and Richard Nelson's pedal steel on the waltzing Let It Go, a perfect end to an unassuming but warmly inviting collection from a far too undervalued artist. Mike Davies Click here to read on the review site "Ännu ett lysande album" (Sweden)5/2/2014 Bap's new album has been reviewed in Swedish Music Magazine Rootsy.
The following is the text of the review as translated from Swedish to English (by Google!) Click here to read on the review site in the original Swedish Yet another brilliant album from Northern Ireland's own Bap Kennedy.The sixth under his own name since his debut in 1998. He also has five albums as lead singer of Belfast's cult rockers Energy Orchards behind. "Let's Start Again" is the sequel to the fantastic album "The Sailor's Revenge" from 2012. No easy task. The melancholy Celtic move left but here's even more of hope and a fresh start. Certainly there feeling of the dreamy gaze away over the sea there. Longing away somewhere beyond the spotlight. But it turned into songs. The soft warm and pleasant singing voice conveys new love and hopefulness. It starts already in the opening title song "Let's Start Again" We must deal with the past /And then let it go /Get some distance at last /And peace in your soul /All those years I saw right through /That thin disguise /Oh baby, baby we do not have much time Then followed the loving insight into "Song Of Her Desire": Baby I did not see the time /And I wasted years /That were not mine /I can hardly believe my eyes /At the things I missed /Or let slip by /But I can make the flames dance in the fire /And I can sing the song of her desire For self realization and the flashbacks will come in mirror image »Strange Kid", which also connects back to an earlier album by Bap, "Lonely Street": So long, goodbye /I'm moving up the ladder /And I hope that I am going somewhere better /But I'm pretty sure I'll be /On another lonely street /And when I look in the mirror I can see /Some strange kid /Looking back at me /Some strange kid /That's what I see "Fool's Paradise" is a declaration of love for wife Brenda Boyd Kennedy, now part of Baps band and plays bass and sings harmonies. I was happy once /Maybe it was twice /Baby Way Back When /In my fool's paradise /Then you came along /And opened my eyes /Now there's no return /To my fool's paradise "Let's Start Again" was recorded in Northern Ireland, but is not particularly influenced by the NI sound and its folk. Here are rather so many other things from many different musical traditions, decades and continents. Country, blues, folk, western swing, pop, Texas border music and Latin American noises nedkokat to americana where artists like Ry Cooder, Tom Russell and John Hiatt are intermingled with Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Lowe and Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance. "Heart Trouble" from the 50s western swing mixed with rockabilly, "Radio Waves" a popcountry and "King of Mexico" with his accordion from John McCullough, from really anytime. Much is timeless when Bap Kennedy restarts. There's something to be said about each of the eleven songs. Bap shows once again that he is a brilliant composer and text nick loader. A narrator of death. In addition to what has been said earlier, I want to further describe the grandeur of some of the songs that I especially like. It is a little faster bluesy Grant in "Revelation Blues" with great banjo from Vinty Gilbert and violin from John Fitzpatrick. It's the boogie woogie melodious »If Things Do not Change" with wonderful slide guitar from the consistently brilliant guitarist Gordy McAllister. And the ending hopeful but slow country roll »Let It Go." Hank Williams smiling in his heaven. With "Let's Start Again« fills Bap Kennedy in his bank of musically exciting and emotionally tingling album. He shows that he belongs among the great Americana artists. He manages to take a broad range of influences and despite their on paper sprawling origin collect them into one big whole. It succeeds only those proficient with. As Bap Kennedy. Click here to read in the original Swedish (Perhaps his finest album to date) Bap's new album Let's Start Again has been reviewed and awarded 4 stars by Control Alt Country. The text of the review is as follows as translated from Dutch to English (by Google!) Click here to read on the review site in the original Dutch The Northern Irishman Bap Kennedy is what you call a real hit in the (European ) Americana happen. A real songwriters ' songwriter . Just a pity that so few people still seem to want to understand ... With " Let's Start Again" , have now yet again sixth solo album after his days as leader of rock band Enery Orchard serves Kennedy eleven additional reasons for him as a fan of the genre immediately firmly on the chest press. No reputable fans as Steve Earle or Mark Knopfler nearby to lend a hand to stabbing while this time , but that could not spoil the fun definitely . In a shared production with his buddy Wallace Mudd and with the necessary hand and abetted by quite a few local musical talent Kennedy delivers his perhaps finest album to date off . Americana of the better kind reigns here . Without this even remotely have to work otherwise limiting. Stylistic variation indeed no dearth of " Let's Start Again" . The summer's " King Of Mexico" plays as for example emphatically with Central and South America come naturally to musical influences , " Revelation Blues " and "If Things Do not Change" prove mischievous winks towards country blues , title song "Let's Start Again " is pretty melancholy filled country singer-songwriter and already very fragile -looking " Song Of Her Desire " and "Radio Waves " add on even a modest prize popsensitiviteit to it . "Heart Trouble" then revives a particular infectious Western Swing - interpretation , " Under My Wing " is just a very beautiful, very " seventies sensing " popriedeltje , " Strange Kid" " Americana pur" , " Let It Go " classic skilled slow honky-tonk and " Fool's Paradise " in all its a fake cheerfulness plenty on the sunny side of the late Willy DeVille reminiscent trifle . A good team for that ! "Let's Start Again " which is also available in a "Deluxe Edition" includes bonus CD containing a further football team worthy of "classic Bap recordings" à la "Long Time A Comin ' ," "Be Careful What You Wish For " and " Domestic Blues " . Add especially to your advantage ! Click here to read in the original Dutch "Sweet album . . . quality record"5/2/2014 Bap's new album Let's Start Again has been reviewed by The Rock Club. The text of the review is as follows: This is the sixth solo album from Northern Ireland's Bap Kennedy, and a sweet album it is too. Ex singer of Belfast rockers, Energy Orchard, Bap has carved out a career as a rootsy, Americana singer / songwriter for some time now. Previous records were recorded both sides of the pond in England and America but this time around, it was back to Northern Ireland to work with local friends and musicians, drummer Rabb Bennett, guitarist, Gordy McAllister and obviously Bap didn't have to travel too far to use the bass playing and harmony talents of his wife Brenda. Always supported by his peers, Van Morrison, Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler and Shane MacGowan, this time around the album has that hometown intimate feel of just making good music with family and friends. The styles and pace change over the course of the eleven songs on the record, but the underlying theme remains of quality musicians delivering a quality record and a live show to match no doubt. 8/11 Pete Click here to read on the review site. "Never lets you down"5/2/2014 Bap's new album Let's Start Again has been reviewed in So So Gay (UK's best online LGBT lifestyle magazine)
The text of the review is as follows: Let's Start Again is the sixth solo studio album of original material from Bap Kennedy. Known for his work with the cult Belfast rockers Energy Orchard, Kennedy's solo work has always been that of a mixed bag of sounds and styles. The most surprising thing about this new album is that it was recorded entirely in Northern Ireland, when it sounds like it has come straight out of Nashville. Weaving together classic bluesy Americana with good old-fashioned country music, Let's Start Again starts off lightly with the tracks 'Revelation Blues' and the gentle sounding title track 'Let's Start Again'. Although the majority of the songs on this album are rather contemplative and reflective, this never gets you down. Let's Start Again does contains some feel-good moments, namely 'King Of Mexico' and 'If Things Don't Change'. The former is a south-of-the-border kind of song, but really just diversifies the sound and energy of the record. Other highlights include 'Song Of Her Desire' - a wistfully melodic country love song and 'Heart Trouble' which really kicks off and becomes a successful bluesy jukebox number. It's a very well-rounded album that accomplishes a lot. Coming from Bap Kennedy, it's really quite a creative album compared to his last album, which was greatly influenced with a Celtic flavour. It symbolises how Kennedy's much loved singer-songwriter characteristics are still on top form. His vocals sound great and the production works well. This is an album that Bap Kennedy fans will be proud of. Standout tracks: 'King Of Mexico' / 'Song Of Her Desire' / 'Heart Trouble' Sam Johnson Click here to read the review on the website of So So Gay. (Most versatile album confirming the musician's artistic renaissance) Let's Start Again has been reviewed in Roots Highway (Italy)
Click here to view in the original Italian. (The following is a (Google!) translation) The sixth album by Bap Kennedy in fifteen years of solo career, frugal and thoughtful , was released two years after the successful The Sailor 's Revenge, who reported the singer-songwriter originally from Belfast to general attention . If the previous album , recorded in London , profited from the production of Mark Knopfler and the very presence of the guitarist and other musicians of his band , this time Bap returned to recording in Northern Ireland , relying on his old friend Mudd Wallace, with whom he had collaborated in the eighties and using the accompanying band live , composed by his wife Brenda on bass , drummer Rabb Bennett and virtuoso guitarist Gordy McAllister , with the addition of John Mc Cullough keyboards , mandolin Noel Lenaghan and pedal steel by Richard Nelson. I thought that these choices would have resulted in a disc of ballads steeped in Irish atmosphere in line with the previous year; instead Bap has returned to focus on the matrix of American roots rock sound , while maintaining a low profile and preferring soft colors and tones and moderate , albeit with some soaring rhythmic than The Sailor 's Revenge, which reconciles the previous Domestic Blues ( produced by Steve Earle ) and Lonely Street. Kennedy confirms the quality of writing shy and refined to fit his voice melodic and melancholic and preference for an electro-acoustic sound characterized by the presence of pedal steel , which emerges already in the opener Let's Start Again . The pace grows in bright peasant roots of Revelation Blues, path from the violin by John Fitzpatrick, tempered by a relaxed If Things Do not Change , in which the lap steel carves out a special place . King Of Mexico smells like tex-mex between violin and accordion, while Song Of Her Desire is a sad ballad of crystalline beauty . Radio Waves brings us back to the sixties with a recognizable melody , backing vocals and a guitar in the fifties Duane Eddy , followed dall'honky tonk Texas Heart Trouble, with the bass of Brenda and a violin -style western swing and calypso by swaying Under My Wing , played with proper voice sore by the Irish . The final part of the disc includes the mid-tempo country rock Strange Kid, the Caribbean Fool's Paradise that invites you to a few dance steps ( always without overdoing it ) and country old style of Let It Go with the backing vocals of his wife and l ' mixture of violin and lap steel that reminds us of the deep attachment of Bap against Hank Williams (remember his tribute album , Hillbilly Shakespeare , a few years ago , nda ) . A most versatile album of the previous year, which confirms the artistic renaissance of the musician, despite being perhaps less inspired writing, published as deluxe single and with a second CD that re- traces of the first solo albums , with the addition of unreleased versions , acoustic Jimmy Sanchez and Please Returt To Jesus , taken from the previous the Sailor's Revenge. Paolo Baiotti Let's Start Again has been reviewed in the Netherlands by Blues Magazine The following is a translation (by Google!) Click here to read in the original Dutch Bap Kennedy has finally left his past as a punk rocker behind. In the 80s and 90s Bap was the lead singer of the band Energy Orchard where many punk and U2 influences were told. In his subsequent solo career, he is quite clearly taken a different path, as evidenced by his performance last year at the Take Root Festival in Groningen, where he was allowed to open the festival. Before a full house He has a whole series of CD's, most in the audience jumping CDs Domestic Blues, produced by Steve Earle and Sailor's Revenge produced by Mark Knopfler. On the last CD the Irish influences to hear from both Mark Knopfler as well as of Bap itself. On the CD Let's Start Again he strikes again in another way. When the CD for the first time is in the player, you have a bit of a sense of rippling songs that make little impression, but appearances are deceiving. After listening to a few times is that the numbers are very happy to take root. And merriment matches this rather dark and dreary months of the year. The album starts with the title track Let's Start Again . The song is about the relationship Bap with his wife Brenda, Brenda which takes stunning vocals for her account. Then comes the song Revelation Blues , the best song of this album. A delicious start with abrasive and then cracking fiddle in tempo to continue. It looks like a cross between Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Yet there are also some numbers in that it does not hang like the third song of the album If Thing's Do not Change . But then again, is a highlight of this album: King Of Mexico . It begins with castanets and a harmonica. And as the title suggests, this song about Mexico: 'This could be my destiny, it's just a dream but I can not wake up. "Very clear to hear Los Lobos' La Bamba. Influences here The song Radio Waves is another one of those days that song stuck in your head. Here are obvious influences hear Greg Troopers We've Still Got Time. During the song Heart Trouble , you get the feeling that you are suddenly landed where a swing / boogie band is playing. 60s in a pub During the song Fools Paradise you feel like you're back in Mexico. The CD concludes with a real country-tearjerker Let It Go . In summary one can say that again Bap Kennedy has made. Surprising CD This album has multiple sides and styles, is very varied. After a couple of spins is just how beautiful this album is where especially the amazing vocals and musical accompaniment stand out. Roelof Passies Blues Magazine, Netherlands "Beautiful songs, simple and fresh, playing divinely" - Mescalina (Italy) Let's Start Again has received another great review from Mescalina Music Magazine, Italy. To read in Italian click here The following is the text of the review as translated to English (by Google!) There was much anticipation for the release of this new album after The Sailor 's revenge two years ago had wowed audiences and critics alike, placing the work of Bap Kennedy on many year-end rankings of the best albums of the year 2012. A proper recognition for a career that began with the Energy Orchard in the late '80s and continued into the next decade with 5 albums and continued with 5 more solo albums from the Domestic Blues(1998) up to, through collaborations with artists such as Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Shane Macgowan, his masterpiece that is The Sailor's Revenge , great job starring Mark Knopfler. Bap Kennedy is a great craftsman of music, which perhaps did not get all the accolades he deserved, but he always produced albums excellent, building a bridge between Irish music and the music of the American tradition, in a successful mix of country, folk, rock, blues and soul. This his sixth work, let's start again , do not betray the expectations giving a beautiful and pleasant album that is just a hair away by the magic of the previous work. eleven tracks, where the atmosphere is more relaxed, soft, where there are fewer flavors Irish / Celtic, a disc with the most diverse and international sounds, but where the great music is present in every single song on the disc. Accompanied by a band, Brenda Boyd Kennedy on bass, Gordy McAlliser on guitars, Rabb Bennett on drums, John McCullough on keyboards, mandolin Noel Lenaghan, Richard Nelson on pedal steel and dobro and John Fitzpatrick on the violin, in great harmony and in perfect harmony, Bap Kennedy leads us, with great use of violin, vintage keyboards and delicious choruses, on a musical journey through space and time. 's initial title track, Let's start again , it is a delicate and melancholic ballad with a great vocal support of Brenda, his partner in life, Revelation blues is an upbeat country-blues with banjo and fiddle in evidence, King of Mexico , with a start that reminds us of La Bamba, leads us perfumes Latin, Tex-Mex and South of the border in one of the best tracks of the entire disc. There are times where Bap explores calypso, to Jimmy Buffett, as in fool's paradise , cheerful, joyful, Caribbean, others where the American tradition with steel and violin comes out as in Let it go , slow waltz, country or Heart Trouble classic western swing that never fails in its work and in swinging, to Lyle Lovett, If things . Others defining moment of the album is Radio Waves , a dip in the "sixities" with the soul of Motown, with lots of delicious chants of "sha la la la", mixed with sounds of country. Fine songs, simple and fresh, played divinely, a pleasure for the senses, a great confirmation, a great record that you absolutely do not have to run away. Bap is rebooted again, great! Of note, the availability of a Limited Deluxe Edition version, where a second disc there are 9 songs from his first four solo albums, Domestic blues ( 1998), Lonely Street (2000) The Big picture(2005), Howl On (2009) and two delicious version acoustic Jimmy Sanchez and Please return to Jesus , two of the most beautiful songs of The Sailor's Revenge , his masterpiece. Giuseppe Verrini Click here to access on the review website in the original language (Italian) "Tuneful gems. . . top notch performer"28/1/2014 Let's Start Again has been reviewed in the North Devon Journal. The text of the review is as follows: Martin "Bap" Kennedy first made an impact on the U.K. music scene as the frontman of guitar based rockers Energy Orchard during the early nineties,and the Belfast born singer-songwriter is now firmly established as a top notch solo performer,mining a rich vein of gently understated Americana with rare grace and charm. "Let's Start Again" finds Kennedy working with some of his native Ulster's finest musical talents as he serves up tuneful gems such as "Radio Waves," "Strange Kid" and "Heart Trouble" for your listening pleasure. Kevin Bryan Click here to view on Review website The following is the text of a review received from Rock United: Northern Ireland and Belfast is home to singer/songwriter Martin Bap Kennedy and his latest offering to the Gods of mellow goes through several different stages of folk-rock. Tiny bits and pieces of everything from Americana and Latino to the old Irish tradition of things and back again to mid-tempo rootsy rock. The darn right lazy and easiest way to describe his 6th solo album, "Let's Start Again", laid-back stuff (there's a clever word, 'stuff') inspired by the ancient likes of Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan. Perhaps not always the absolute correcto mundo statement, but I told you I was being lazy and not going to nitpick. I do believe that most folks would agree on the overall feeling of the album though. There's however a lot more to Bap than first meet the eye or ear. There is always that underlaying sound of old school Country inspired by the ultra ancient legend of Hank Williams. I kid you not. Bap's been into both power-punk and Celtic melancholy in the past, but has clearly moved on to other arrangements and the slightly 'western' structure. "Song of Her Desire" is just a lovely mish-mash of (very early) Dire Straits and Springsteen (his most rootsy and laid-back material). "Radio Waves", takes you on a journey through country and Van Morrison, while "Heart Trouble" steps back in time and space to Hank and big band's swing. Bap has retained his sense of storytelling, but the ease of which he pays tribute to one genre to the next shows a maturity that few manage to receive in their lifetime. There's a couple of oddities and darn right weird moments on this record and certainly not quite as instant or easy listening as his fellow label mate Henry Priestman. You simply need to spin this several times and then let the low-key mood melodies slowly sink in. Recommended. Urban "Wally" Wallstrom "Fresh, crisp & awash with good vibe"22/1/2014 Let's Start Again has received the following favourable review : The Americana music category was made for people like Bap Kennedy; artists who struggle or let’s say aren’t easily allocated to any one category to gain the attention deserved. From the very start Belfast-born Kennedy (brother of Brian Kennedy) impressed with his songwriting, brought to my attention via his band, Energy Orchard, Kennedy has repeatedly come up with the goods. After befriending Steve Earle, and have him produce his debut solo record Domestic Blues and now years and five solo albums later Let’s Start Again lends a feel like as if this guy is just starting. So fresh, crisp and awash in good vibe is the record. As Kennedy’s conversational-like songs sweep over one like a tidal wave. At a time when people are looking for true organic roots and a guy with a little history and swagger Kennedy fits the bill. An erstwhile storyteller, and one he exploits nicely he speaks of how he sees trouble come down the road (“Revelation Blues”), dreams of possibly being “The King Of Mexico” (as some Borderlands accordion, piano and Mexican guitar plus keyboards swirl) and with a romantic feel ooze from its veins, “Radio Waves” brings a nostalgic ambiance. Talking of old (music) “Heart Trouble” marries western swing with hints of rockabilly as fiddle, piano, pedal steel and upright bass coupled with harmony vocals all play a significant part as the sound is perfected. Who said you had to be from Texas to perform music like this, step aside you Stetson toting acts from the Lone Star State. With a bunch of subtle variations, Kennedy and his players; Brenda Boyd Kennedy (his wife), Gordy McAllister, Rabb Bennett (regulars on his albums), John McCullough, John Fitzpatrick, Noel Lenaghan, Richard Nelson, Trevor Dyer, Vinty Gilbert and vocalists show great music can just as easily come out of his native Northern Ireland as his usual recording base of American or England. Among the finest, and it is a fine line between most tracks the wry “Strange Kid” (as he sees himself, and why not. After all we are all different, and if that means we are strange so be it) and with pedal steel, fiddle, keyboards and, some sweet harmonies in there too “Let It Go” is a superb country song, and when Bap does one people should take notice because he is a natural, one of the best in around. As for the ‘deluxe’ cd it comes in the form of tracks from previous albums Lonely Street, Howl On, The Big Pictureand Domestic Blues (the title-track one of three from the Steve Earle, Ray Kennedy produced album) plus acoustic versions of his songs “Jimmy Sanchez”, one of his best and mellow ode “Please Return To Jesus”. Maurice Hope Click here to view on review site Praise from Italy for Let's Start Again ! The following is the text of the review as translated to English (by Google!) To read in Italian click here The "pen" by Bap Kennedy is a fountain of value, one that uses only part of good opportunities to write important things. The words that need to stay in time. And with good things and the important fifty-songwriter Belfast has always left on the blank sheet of paper, although he continued his career without the deserved recognition from the public as would be granted, just like a pen value always kept hidden for fear of being consumed by most. Beauty is no exception even this new Let's Start Again that comes just two years after the previous Sailor's Revenge that was produced by Mark Knopfler, perhaps the artistic peak as a writer, and it was the perfect match between American music crossed from the very ' solo debut Domestic Blues under the protective wing of Steve Earle who wanted very strongly in the Nashville- american roots then amplified by personal tribute to Hank Williams and his real-Celtic roots, developed in the distant past by working with the mentor Van Morrison has always stravisto for him since he was a "rocker" playing in the Energy Orchard , his first band with five albums in discography. Substantially less misty and melancholy of the previous irish, this time, Kennedy, author honest and musically curious like a real sailor of both worlds, returns to his musical past, yes riabbracciando the country but returning to his record in Northern Ireland with the help in production of the old friend "found" Mudd Wallace , and playing along with the faithful band that accompanies him live a more substantial number of local musicians: his wife Brenda Boyd on bass, Gordy McAlliser on guitars, Rabb Bennett on drums,John McCullough on keyboards, Noel Lenaghan mandolin, Richard Nelson on pedal steel and dobro and John Fitzpatrick on violin. Simplicity, maturity and style, combined with the romantic positivity of the texts, are characteristics that emerge in each of the eleven songs that range across the board, revisiting entire career: the great outdoors by country led by pedal steel and slide ( Let's Start Again, the up time of the choral Revelation Blues, the infectious lightness of a burning desire in Song Of Her Desire), the love of rock 'n' roll in the '50s doo-wop to If Things Do not Change and Heart Trouble almost to caress the jazz but with a guide ispiratissimo violin, folk step slow waltz (Let It Go), and the lulling memory lane radio waves that permeate Radio Waves, the ardent Under My Wing between the Caribbean and Van Morrison, and dips in the atmosphere caliente, Tex-Mex and Latin ( Fool's Paradiseand King Of Mexico that moves at the same pace de La Bamba ) demonstrating that his "pen" has more colors: gray and less fresh than the previous Sailor's Revenge but more red and burning. Worthy of note, finally, the deluxe edition that includes a disc anymore. A sort of greatest hits album contains eleven tracks selected from his old records: Domestic Blues, Lonely Street, Howl On, The Big Picture , plus two acoustic versions of Jimmy Sanchez and Please Return To Jesus . A record of the highest class with songwriting yet imprinted on the freshness and vitality of the novice but written with the maturity of a veteran, and capable of leading, at a slow pace but with some long stride, my gloomy days this winter to the upcoming spring. Click here to view on review site in the original language (Italian) Archives
October 2018
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