Brian Kennedy • A Look At...

The path to me finding new artists is often more scenic route than expressway, and such is the case with talented Irishman Brian Kennedy. I was a fan of Westlife, and still look up the boys since they broke up (Mark Feehily, I am still waiting for your album). A search about Kian Egan's new music led me to 'The Voice of Ireland', which brought me to discover Brian Kennedy, one of the coaches in the first season. His voice intrigued me, and he looked a bit familiar. But then again, handsome Irishmen definitely have their appeal. Further inquiries informed me he had sung with Van Morrison for a few years, including in a few music videos. (Ha! I had seen him before.) I also learned that Brian had come out in 2009, and has continued to write and record great music since. In the four months since I found him, I now have five of his albums, as well as some other wonderful singles. And I bet I will be collecting more soon...

I have to say, I have been captivated by his voice from the first time I heard it. Sure, he might have the looks to turn heads, but when he sings, I feel myself catch my breath. Take, for instance, his song "Hollow" off his debut album, 'The Great War of Words'. The song was written by Kennedy, and he performed it to perfection. I loved the phrasing, and the rhythmic feel of the song. It did feel like a song by the great Joni Mitchell. And what's not to love about a handsome boy with a guitar? This is the music video for "Hollow", the 1990 single by Brian Kennedy.

That first day, while I was listening to what I could, and watching all the videos available to me, one song drew into the lead in the race to be my early favorite. It was the title track of his sophomore album, released in 1996. "A Better Man" has a wonderful moody feel, a little brooding, and maybe a bit of yearning. It was written by Kennedy, Jon Lind and Phil Pickett. This is the official music video for Brian Kennedy's "A Better Man".

The second cut on the 'A Better Man' album is another song I loved immediately, and it came as no surprise for me that it was written by Brian. Once again, I was captured by the mood of the song. This time out, there is a wonderful joy, and I can't help but be swept up in it. It starts off with such a timid sound, the feel of insecurity love can bring comes out. But as the song goes on, Brian gives me the feel of strength building as love grows. I wish I could find a copy of a music video, but until then this is a lyric video for "For One Kiss".

When it comes to sheer joy, it is hard to imagine a song that captures that spirit more than the last offering is this post. Again, the song penned by Kennedy was featured on the 1996 album 'A Better Man'. "Life, Love, and Happiness" has such warmth, such strength, and such love behind it, I can't help but listen to it time and time again. Since I couldn't find an official music video for it, I am offering you a clip for the DVD 'Live in Belfast', released in 2004. I tell you, if I could make this song my official theme song, I would be one very happy man. Please enjoy the live version of "Life, Love, and Happiness".

I am telling you, since I found his music about four months ago, I have been somewhat obsessed with Brian Kennedy's music. And this has taken me longer to write than it truly should have. Why, you might ask? Because while I was typing and watching videos, I went on to eBay and purchased two more albums, and a DVD. Yes, the 'Live in Belfast' DVD from which the clip for "Live, Love, and Happiness" was taken. It, 'The Great War of Words', and 'Now That I Know What I Want' should be arriving in the next week or so. While I cannot be definite, I am beginning to think I have a problem, and I might be addicted to the music of Brian Kennedy. Well, not a problem, really. More of an issue of having great taste. You can find all four of the songs featured on his album 'Won't You Take Me Home: The RCA Years', which can be found on iTunes and Amazon. This was the first one I purchased, although it was far (so very far) from the last. To learn more about Brian Kennedy, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

St. Patrick's Day with Brian Kennedy

As I have said before, I come across music in the oddest of ways sometimes. Recently, I was checking out links about Kian Egan, a former member of Westlife, who is releasing a solo album. I found out he just won 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here', and is also a mentor on the show 'Voice of Ireland'. One of the other mentors on the first season of the show was Brian Kennedy, who I vaguely remembered as a backup singer for Van Morrison. So I decided to check him out, and soon found myself fascinated by his solo music. I also learned he had come out, and is now an out and proud Irishman! And, I have to say, a yummy treat to look at, as well as to hear.

I am particularly fond of his Pop music, but since this is St. Patrick's Day, I thought I might decide to go with some of his traditional Irish Folk now, and give you some of his Pop at some future date. Kennedy has certainly given me enough material, having released 'On Song' in 2003, and 'On Song 2: Red Sails in the Sunset' in 2005. 'The Bohemian Girl' is an opera by Irish composer Michael William Balfe that opened in 1843. The best known song from the opera is "I Dreampt I Dwelt in Marble Halls", which has been recorded by some of the best names in Irish Folk. Kennedy recorded the song for his 2003 release. This is Brian Kennedy with the great Sinéad O'Connor singing "I Dreampt I Dwelt in Marble Halls".

"The Fields of Athenry" was written in the 1970s by Irish singer/songwriter Pete St. John. The song speaks to the time of the Great Irish Famine of the 19th Century. It talks about a man who steals food for his starving family, only to be caught and sentenced to prison in Australia. While the song is fictional, it was certainly possible during the time. This is Brian Kennedy singing "The Fields of Athenry", as it appears on the album 'On Song'.

"The Homes of Donegal" is an Irish ballad written by songwriter Seán McBride in 1955. McBride was a school teacher, and wrote the lyrics set to a melody around since the 18th century. While many sang the song, it was singer/songwriter Paul Brady who is most closely associated with the song. So it is not surprising that when Kennedy recorded the song for his 'On Song' album, he did it as a duet with Brady. The is the result, the recoding of "The Homes of Donegal" by Brian Kennedy, featuring Paul Brady.

In closing, I thought I would offer up this lovely live performance captured by a fan. The song is "Carrikfergus", also off the 'On Song' album. It is named after a town in Northern Ireland, so it is no wonder the Belfast native sings the song. The song is lovely and romantic, and Kennedy sings it with such authenticity, I cannot resist it. This is Brian Kennedy singing "Carrickfergus" as a London cafe in 2009.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! For more about Brian Kennedy, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. Neither of the 'On Song' albums are available in the online stores. I know, what a bummer! You can find it as an import on Amazon. I'm keeping an eye on ebay to see what comes up. In just a short time, I am already amassing quite the collection.

Secret Garden featuring Brian Kennedy • You Raise Me Up

Left: Secret Garden members Rolf Løvland and Fionnuala Sherry. Right: Brian Kennedy.

As tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would bring you a classic favorite from an unexpected source. While most are familiar with a "You Raise Me Up" when sung by either Westlife or Josh Groban, I thought I would bring in the song as performed by Secret Garden. At the center of Secret Garden are Fionnuala Sherry and Rolf Løvland, instrumentalists who meld Celtic and Nordic Folk music to create some amazing results. That would include the song "You Raise Me Up", with lyrics by Brendan Graham and music by Rolf Løvland. The duo invited Irish vocalist Brian Kennedy to lend his considerable talents to the recording session, and, as you might expect, something special happened. This is "You Raise Me Up" by Secret Garden and featuring Brian Kennedy.

Sadly, while it might be the original recording, it was not the best selling. Westlife had that honor in Europe and elsewhere in the world, and Josh Groban in the United States and other countries around the globe. "You Raise Me Up" can e found on 'The Best Of Secret Garden 20th Century Masters - The Millemmium Collection', available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.

Van Morrison • Days Like This

Once I decided to go with the great Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, this whole thing took an interesting turn. I started off by thinking I would be posting a song I love, "These Are The Days", but as I was looking for that on YouTube, I came across "Days Like This", and I immediately knew I would have to go with it. Plus, as I watched the video, I thought to myself the backup singer, well, he's really hot. By the second time he was on screen, I was thinking I recognized him, but had no idea from where. This sent me to Wikipedia, where I discovered the hot guy was Irish singer Brian Kennedy, whose music I just discovered in the last week, and I had been listening to a collection of his hits, 'The RCA Years'. Well, it seems as though he started out as a background singer with Van Morrison, and I had his voice in my collection for a very long time. And that is because I really do love Van Morrison, and he's been part of my musical collection since I was in high school. Morrison's music was so interesting to me for not only did I love it, but I was also able to witness it evolve, for it really never sounded the same. This is Van Morrison singing "Days Like This", the title track off his 1995 album.

Have a great weekend!