Boy, isn’t this going to be a busy year for husband and wife duo, Pete and Maura Kennedy. For not only do we have this record, but another two slated for later in the year. West the first of a trilogy from the much travelled, hard-working act setting a high benchmark. Many will be familiar with them through their long association with Texas singer-songwriter, Nanci Griffith (both as band members and the opening act).
Since their impressive debut record, Fallen From The Stars in 1995 there has been a steady flow of albums from them, but nothing like this projected wave of activity. Plus there is also to be a solo record from them both later in the year, Pete with Heart Of Gotham and Maura with Villanelle; The Songs Of Maura Kennedy And B.D Love (Love being a published poet opposed to your normal songwriter).
Talk about busy, they must never sleep with all this writing (forty songs in total), recording and them tearing up and down America’s highways, Route 66 and this spring there is the little matter of dates on these shores. Maura, as ever performs the lead vocals, and she is in fine form, and has never better sounding than on the opening track “West”; that just happens to be the title-track. Kennedy’s vocals on the track reminded me of west coast act, Debby McClatchy. I don’t remember me ever thinking this in the past. It must just be the style of the song. Pete offers his usual innovative guitar riffs and does so, superbly; he also plays mandolin, banjo, and Appalachian dulcimer among other instruments on the record.
Among the most impressive tracks you have Pete lead them through a wistful, and engaging “Jubilee Time”, and with something of Buddy Holly-esque feel to it “Locket” is both quirky and entertaining. Something the record is throughout! On picking up the tempo with a spring their step, the pair duet on “Southern Jumbo”, as images of the American South comes to mind. They have the happy knack of relaying their experience on the road, the inspiration for much of their material to the listener by way of lyric and sound. “Black Snake, White Snake” has a little folklore entangled with the lyrics; it is as if The Kennedys’ have all of a sudden been swamped with ideas and inspiration for material. Pete shows off his ability as an acoustic picker on Mississippi leaning ode “Bodhisattva Blues”. While it is twang guitar full steam ahead on the aptly entitled “Travel Day Blues”, and there are other notables too. Sibling vocal gem “Perfect Love” (Jim Wise) and pop duet “Good, Better, Best” and jaunty, banjo traced “Elegy” among them. While with some classy electric guitar assisting Maura’s folksy vocals, “Signs” is something you would expect from our own Maddy Prior or Sandy Denny even. For once again there is a bend or two in the road taken by Pete and Maura.
It is both interesting and good to see John Stewart’s “The Queen Of Hollywood High” gain a place, and with Maura in fine voice the song bounces gently along. I can’t wait to hear their other recordings.
Maurice Hope