Stewart Kenny Two Lives CD Launch

Academy 2 16/12/11

Angela Macari O’Looney

It was freezing, with Christmas one week away. In this pocket sized venue, a small audience gathered for what promised to be a relaxing and entertaining evening, to celebrate the launch of Stewart Kenny’s new CD.

Opening up the night, Stewart’s wife Anne Marie Papin performed a short, but intriguing set of instrumentals on harp.

She began with Edith Piaf’s La vien Rose, dedicating it to a member of the small gathering.

Her next number was La Source, by Alphonse Hasselmans. This classical piece was beautiful too, with complex notes.

She did a lovely rendition of the wonderfully melancholic theme from The Godfather, Speak Softly Love, by Nino Rota. With trickling notation and that sweet flow of magic that only comes from the harp, I found it refreshing.

Duke, a jazzy piece by Bernard Andres involved strummed chords and the use of percussion applied to the wood of the instrument. This was an excellent choice for a change of pace.

Anne Marie performed a number she wrote for her husband; Keep Smiling. It’s a catchy, short piece of music, and to me was proof that this lady is a talented composer.

Her final number was an excerpt from Clair De Lune, by Debussy. With her pleasant way of introducing each piece, plus a touch of dry humour that only added to her French charm, Anne Marie cheered up a cold December night and warmed up Stewart’s fans very successfully!

Stewart Kenny

From I’ve fallen so far, his debut album, Stewart began with All boats will rise. This number is laid back, with a choppy beat and a sweet melody line. I love the chorus, with it’s lovely ooh, all boats will rise refrain.

A short guitar solo added greatly to this opening song.

Come back home was next. This number involved a delicious piano solo. Stewart’s vocal range is demonstrated to great advantage in the beautiful chorus, which is a refrain Come home.

With a choppy intro, We gotta go was next. This has a classy bass line, fab piano riffs and the melody line is simple yet memorable. Lead guitar does a riff here toward the finish that is brilliant.

Changing my ways- This upbeat number is dedicated to Anne Marie and is beautiful. But the highlight for me was the piano and guitar breaks throughout.

Baby’s Smile- From his recently recorded album A Destination Unknown, this number was written by Stewart’s brother Alan. It’s slow, with trickling notation on piano and guitar. Lyrics sad, it has a touching refrain and melody line.

Tribute to J is a nicely put together piece, with cleverly written lyrics. It’s based around John Lennon songs and I particularly enjoyed Linda’s input on piano.

A Destination unknown is soulful and poignant. With only a whisper of percussion and Synth, it’s very laid back. Trickling guitar lends to the sense of melancholy reflected in the lyrics.

Lately involves superb instrumentals, particularly the amazing guitar throughout. As in each song, Stewart’s delivery was just right and it was lovely watching songs from his CD’s brought to life onstage with a full band.

Two Lives has a brilliantly catchy riff throughout and a fast beat. There are two versions, the second more alternative. It is the title track from the new CD and is an interesting song about love and its struggles.

Tremble, written by Stewart’s Dad Tommy was next. I adore this jazzy song. Chords are delicious and elaborate. Lead guitar adds to this cool song, which is one of my favourites from Stewart’s material and is a real showcase for each member of his ensemble!

To continue the jazz section of the night, he did number called Movin’ along, which has a swing style tempo. On a beautiful semi solid guitar, the guitarist Richie performed some awe inspiring riffs and hooks.

Take me as I am is laid back, but has yet more exciting instrumentals from both guitar and Keyboards.

Next, Stewart performed an interesting song which is a tribute to the late Michael Jackson called Maybe he’s better off dead. It has a choppy beat and dramatic melody line. Live, this like all his songs has a big impact!

That’s just Fine is an upbeat number with a stomping beat and it oozes attitude. This was yet another gear shift in styles for Stewart. But it went down very well with the audience.

His last number was a Prince cover Gold. The guitarist shone here with a fab solo as did Stu with his unbelievable vocal range.

After some persuasion, Stewart did one last song. Proving his astounding ability to hit falsetto, he performed a great version of Kiss. This popular Prince cover was a great choice.

Stewart’s band are Richie Adams-Guitar, Linda Adams- Keys, Eoin Melinn-Bass and Abel Benito- Drums.