New Dawn Breaking £12.00 inc p&p
01 Corrievreckan
02 I Just Don't know
03 Candlelight
04 Iona
04 It's Braw Sailin' On The Sea
05 Around Again
07 Vow Of Silence
08 Minto Hill
09 Norland' Wind
10 Another Scotland
KENNY SPEIRS
New Dawn Breaking
Brigside Music BS162
Kenny’s latest solo offering continues in his own personal tradition of eminently accessible and melodious folk music from the Scottish Borders. He’s a masterful singer and guitarist, with an expanding catalogue of classy self-penned songs replete with humanity and generosity of spirit. Kenny’s music certainly provides an oasis of reassurance in these troubled times, while unafraid to address current issues in lyrics of genial sensitivity and simple expressiveness.
The album follows on nicely from Kenny’s previous (exclusively self-penned) collection, Sleepwalking; here the only exceptions are the increasingly popular ballad It’s Braw Sailin’ On The Sea (by James Greig) and a fresh treatment of the well-loved Norlan’ Wind (Jim Reed’s setting of the Violet Jacob text, which Kenny had previously covered on his North Wind Blowing set). The remaining tracks range from the opening “cautionary tale” Corrievreckan, centred around the notorious whirlpool just north of the Isle of Jura, to the stirring finale of Another Scotland; co-written with fellow-guitarist John Rafferty, this is a proud toast that celebrates a country at a crossroads in its history. Nestling comfortably in between we find the questioning, gently puzzled commentary I Just Don’t Know, a modest pair of relationship-themed songs (Around Again, Candlelight), and two lovely instrumental pieces (Iona, Minto Hill). Throughout, Kenny has surrounded himself with top-drawer musicianship courtesy of Tom Roseburgh, Shona Mooney and John Rafferty, with a cameo from piper David Sanderson on the finale.
New Dawn Breaking is a thoroughly pleasing collection that’s up there with Kenny’s best.
David Kidman
SLEEPWALKING £12.00 inc p&p
Kenny's first wholly self-penned album containing 13 tracks
01 Sleepwalking
02 Paper Planes
03 Everywhere
04 People You Meet
04 My Borderland
05 Leaving Leithenside
07 Southdean Rider
08 I Don't Need Anything Anymore
09 Coming Home Tonight
10 Break Some Bread With Me
11 A Saltire in the Sky
12 If Only
13 Sing To The Morning Sun
As a long-time fan of Kenny’s music, I was thrilled to be invited to play twiddly guitar bits on this collection of great songs!
Brian Willoughby
NORTH WIND BLOWING £12.00 inc p&p
Kenny sings some of his favourite folk songs of recent years. With accompaniment from guitars, piano, accordion and whistles he soothes his way through such well-loved tracks as Norlan’ Wind, Loch Tay Boat Song & Vinnie Den. Kenny also includes 4 original songs.
01 NORLAN' WIND
02 TURNING AWAY
03 BACK TO THE BORDERS
04 LOCH TAY BOAT SONG
04 MIRROR TOWN
05 THE OTHER PART OF YOU
07 ROLLING ON
08 VINNIE DEN
09 SING TO THE MORNING SUN
10 A TRAVELLER'S LULLABY
I have known Kenny for many years, and it is a testament to his talent and determination that this album has turned out to be a great example of great writing and playing.
Kieran Halpin