The Kennedys – Smoketree
Another bright, pristine album from the Hudson Valley, upstate NY area (about as popular as Woodstock & Laurel Canyon in the 60s) is the new self-produced 12-track album Smoketree (Drops August 21/Independent/40:04) recorded in Tarrytown, NY. The Kennedys provide all-new originals played fairly sparingly by the ever-skillful Pete Kennedy (electric, acoustic & bass guitars/banjo/mandolin/pedal steel & Rickenbacker 12-string guitar/electric sitar/drums/vocals) & the always expressive Maura Kennedy (vocals/harmonica/keys/acoustic guitar/percussion).
Maura gets things started with “Like An Angel,” an uplifting tune in a Nanci Griffith spirit (The Kennedys played with Nanci at one time) performed with, yes, earthy, airy & angelic vocals. Maura has always had a delectable voice. A bit more folky is “Without Us,” which is The Kennedys’ basic recipe with nothing schlocky or commercially sugary. The duo has always been as reliable as past artists like Richard & Mimi Farina & after Richard passed away Tom Jans & Mimi Farina. A little edgier was Richard & Linda Thompson, but with “Long Road To Freedom,” the vocalizing between Pete & Maura has that fanciful enthusiasm, lively & decisive.
A strong ballad by Maura, “Girl On A Motorcycle,” is quite good, followed by the title track “Smoketree” with its old-world British-vintage melodic folk flavor. It sounds like it came from the same place as “Scarborough Fair.” The duo shaped themselves into artists who have captured the same magic Sandy Denny had with Strawbs (before her gig with Fairport Convention): light folk tales (“All I Need Is You”), some traditional, but with a tinge of progressive rock. Maura & Pete’s ”Song For a Midday Dawn” & the wonderful “A Star To Guide You” have early Strawbs utility & though Pete doesn’t sing with the defining character of Strawbs’ lead singer Dave Cousins (“Grace Darling”) the drama Pete creates is evident & done well.
Maura renders “When A Home Becomes a Castle” with the detectable tonal presence of Christine Collister (with Clive Gregson). Maura is superb in each showcase & should be sharing space in stereo speakers with the young Marianne Faithfull (“Wild Mountain Tyme”), Judith Durham (The Seekers), Christine Collister & Sandy Denny. She’s that captivatingly good.
With “Meant To Be,” the duo sounds like they’re backed by the mid-60s Byrds with their chiming guitars. A strong effort. Folk music like this is like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It keeps leaning to one side but miraculously continues to stand. Because of artists like Pete & Maura Kennedy.
Highlights – “Like An Angel,” “Without Us,” “Long Road To Freedom,” “Girl On A Motorcycle,” “Smoketree,” ”Song For a Midday Dawn,” “A Star To Guide You,” “When A Home Becomes a Castle,” & “Meant To Be.”
The CD includes a handsome 12pp full-color stitched lyric insert. Color CD image courtesy of Elyse Brunt. Die-cut CD @ Amazon & Target + https://www.kennedysmusic.com/smoketreepress.html