Scroll down for tracklist, Bap's notes & reviews
Tracklist
(All songs written by Bap Kennedy)
CD 1
- Let's Start Again
- Revelation Blues
- If Things Don't Change
- King of Mexico
- Song of Her Desire
- Radio Waves
- Heart Trouble
- Under My Wing
- Strange Kid
- Fool's Paradise
- Let It Go
Bap's notes about the songs
TRACK 1 - Let’s Start Again
A song about trying to escape the past, not dwelling on it and moving forward. Change is the only constant, and the world has always been an insane place. You just notice it more as you get older and begin to run out of options. But you can always start again…or at least try.
My wife Brenda sings lovely harmony on this song because this is about us.
TRACK 2 - Revelation Blues
I was going for a Johnny Cash meets Bob Dylan meets a 21st Century apocalyptic hoedown vibe. I hope I got in the ballpark. This is my favourite song/recording from the album - Blood and Thunder!
TRACK 3 - If Things Don’t Change
Frustration boogie woogie. Stuck in a dull and dangerous Belfast as a lad with the Love Sick Blues, and dreaming about getting out. You never forget how that feels.
Also a little nod to Elvis and his posthumous hit “Way Down”
TRACK 4 - King Of Mexico
While recording this song I discovered Zorro was an Irishman… so I bought a sombrero and kept it in the studio for the whole album session. It’s a tongue in cheek song about escaping from a regular life and being a bit ambivalent about the straight and narrow.
I love the Mexican style of music. Many years ago I was in Los Angeles making a record. I met some people who told me I could be popular in Mexico because there was a big Mexican/Irish connection. They were going to take me across the border to Tijuana but I was too hung over to go… but that’s another story…and another life.
TRACK 5 - Song Of Her Desire
There’s not much I’m good at, but I’ve devoted my life to music. Occasionally it goes very well, but there’s a price to pay for the single minded pursuit of following the muse. It can be an overly intense existence, sometimes with little reward, and it’s not for everyone. I can’t change a plug but if I can bring a lump to your throat with one of my ballads I’ll be delighted.
TRACK 6 - Radio Waves
My interest in all things cosmic refuses to waver. I really am intrigued by the possibility that my music is being broadcast all the way to infinity. Sha La La! Nice one!
TRACK 7 - Heart Trouble
Going for a Western Swing /Belfast Blues vibe here. I liked the ambiguity of the title and thought of Elvis doing this one. I’d love to have been working next door to Leiber and Stoller in the Brill Building. I’d have been bashing this one out on the company piano hoping the Memphis Flash liked it enough to record.
TRACK 8 - Under My Wing
The theme of trouble runs through the album and in this song I’m taking care of loved ones. My paternal instinct has been activated by my step children, and that is where this one came from.
TRACK 9 - Strange Kid
This was inspired by everything that ever happened to me. And you can waltz to it.
TRACK 10 - Fool’s Paradise
Another tongue in cheek song. After making the Sailor’s Revenge with Mark Knopfler, I felt I’d explored the Celtic Melancholy theme enough to take a more light-hearted approach for the next record. This is me having some fun, again down Mexico way. However I’m not kidding when it comes to the words.
TRACK 11 - Let It Go
It’s been said before and it’ll be said again and again. It’s just my turn to say it.
Bap Kennedy, 2014
A song about trying to escape the past, not dwelling on it and moving forward. Change is the only constant, and the world has always been an insane place. You just notice it more as you get older and begin to run out of options. But you can always start again…or at least try.
My wife Brenda sings lovely harmony on this song because this is about us.
TRACK 2 - Revelation Blues
I was going for a Johnny Cash meets Bob Dylan meets a 21st Century apocalyptic hoedown vibe. I hope I got in the ballpark. This is my favourite song/recording from the album - Blood and Thunder!
TRACK 3 - If Things Don’t Change
Frustration boogie woogie. Stuck in a dull and dangerous Belfast as a lad with the Love Sick Blues, and dreaming about getting out. You never forget how that feels.
Also a little nod to Elvis and his posthumous hit “Way Down”
TRACK 4 - King Of Mexico
While recording this song I discovered Zorro was an Irishman… so I bought a sombrero and kept it in the studio for the whole album session. It’s a tongue in cheek song about escaping from a regular life and being a bit ambivalent about the straight and narrow.
I love the Mexican style of music. Many years ago I was in Los Angeles making a record. I met some people who told me I could be popular in Mexico because there was a big Mexican/Irish connection. They were going to take me across the border to Tijuana but I was too hung over to go… but that’s another story…and another life.
TRACK 5 - Song Of Her Desire
There’s not much I’m good at, but I’ve devoted my life to music. Occasionally it goes very well, but there’s a price to pay for the single minded pursuit of following the muse. It can be an overly intense existence, sometimes with little reward, and it’s not for everyone. I can’t change a plug but if I can bring a lump to your throat with one of my ballads I’ll be delighted.
TRACK 6 - Radio Waves
My interest in all things cosmic refuses to waver. I really am intrigued by the possibility that my music is being broadcast all the way to infinity. Sha La La! Nice one!
TRACK 7 - Heart Trouble
Going for a Western Swing /Belfast Blues vibe here. I liked the ambiguity of the title and thought of Elvis doing this one. I’d love to have been working next door to Leiber and Stoller in the Brill Building. I’d have been bashing this one out on the company piano hoping the Memphis Flash liked it enough to record.
TRACK 8 - Under My Wing
The theme of trouble runs through the album and in this song I’m taking care of loved ones. My paternal instinct has been activated by my step children, and that is where this one came from.
TRACK 9 - Strange Kid
This was inspired by everything that ever happened to me. And you can waltz to it.
TRACK 10 - Fool’s Paradise
Another tongue in cheek song. After making the Sailor’s Revenge with Mark Knopfler, I felt I’d explored the Celtic Melancholy theme enough to take a more light-hearted approach for the next record. This is me having some fun, again down Mexico way. However I’m not kidding when it comes to the words.
TRACK 11 - Let It Go
It’s been said before and it’ll be said again and again. It’s just my turn to say it.
Bap Kennedy, 2014
Reviews
"a stroke of genius" - No Depression
"nothing short of awe inspiring" - Folkwords
"...drop the needle just about anywhere and come up smelling of roses" - BmanBlues
"... low key yet high quality songwriting and performance" - Fatea
"....reminds me of Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground" (about "Song Of Her Desire")
* * * * * Five Star - Festival Photo
"Bap in an excellent creative space..." - Country Rock Magazine
"nothing short of awe inspiring" - Folkwords
"...drop the needle just about anywhere and come up smelling of roses" - BmanBlues
"... low key yet high quality songwriting and performance" - Fatea
"....reminds me of Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground" (about "Song Of Her Desire")
* * * * * Five Star - Festival Photo
"Bap in an excellent creative space..." - Country Rock Magazine
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