Half a Million Miles

The Kennedys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Appleseed Records
• ASIN: B000A0GOZ0
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,390 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Mike Jurkovic, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, August 2005

"Unafraid to mix philosophy, spirituality, love and artistry with a folk-rock back beat...a positive force on all things human."

Product Description

Even after ten years, over a thousand gigs and 500,000 miles of touring as a married, music-making couple, singer-guitarists Pete and Maura Kennedy haven’t killed each other. The duo savors each instant in life and in each other’s company, and it shows in their music. The Kennedys have been charming audiences and critics for a decade with their exuberant mixture of folk, rock, country, pop and secular gospel, a philosophical depth in their lyrics, and joyful, kinetic performances and recordings.

"Half a Million Miles," The Kennedys’ 8th CD, presents ten sparkling roots-pop originals, plus two complementary covers, infused with their "live in the moment" outlook. The Kennedys’ constant touring, coupled with the influence of such writers as Joseph Campbell, Aldous Huxley, and Eckhart Tolle, has taught them about "the eternal now." With eyes wide open, they discover wisdom and musical inspiration everywhere. A mysterious greeting at their local East Village sushi bar is transformed into the buoyant "Namaste" (translation: "The divine in me recognizes the divine in you"). A neighborhood merchant becomes "9th Street Billy, the guru of East Side soul" in a lilting bossa nova. "Live" and "Listen" are respectively forceful and delicate reminders to stop and smell the roses.

While the original songs on "Half a Million Miles" all bear references to the Buddhist outlook of openness and enlightenment, Pete calls the two cover versions – Richard Thompson’s wrenching "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again?" and Bob Dylan’s "Chimes of Freedom" – "political, peacenik songs," that pay attention to current events.

Maura’s lead vocals are sweet and often girlishly playful while displaying a plaintive edge of experience, and Pete’s harmonies add a second coating of melodic delight. And the guitars! While Maura provides rhythm guitar grooves, Pete lays down layers of chiming acoustic and 12-string leads (and all other instruments on the CD).

Ear candy and brain food are an irresistible combination on "Half a Million Miles," where The Everly Brothers meet Emerson, The Byrds meets Buddha, and everyone gets along just fine. Join The Kennedys in their celebration of life on this CD, in their next half million miles of performances and airing the music they love on their "Dharma Café" show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, June 17, 2006

By 

Lunar "a voice in the crowd" (New Rochelle, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Half a Million Miles (Audio CD)

Thanks to WFUV in NY, I went to their concert at the Rubin Museum and discovered a duo with a beautiful sound. Their folk music is fused with all sorts of cultural traditions and an all-inclusive brand of spirituality. For me, Maura's voice and Pete's guitar are as good as any I can recall, and their energy is infectious.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from the Kennedys, January 10, 2012

By 

Music maven (Amherst, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Half a Million Miles (Audio CD)

This morning I was in a really bleak mood--out of work, prospects looking dim, midwinter blues--so I put on this CD, and within three minutes I was ready to embrace the world. The Kennedys always have that effect on me, and Half a Million Miles does it again. It's so refreshing to hear optimistic music played with enthusiasm and sincerity. These days so much of music is about being ironic or precious, neither of which floats my boat. The recording quality on this CD isn't quite up to some of their others, sounding a bit muffled, and I do miss having some snappy drums to go with the jangling guitars, but the sparkling songs and the Kennedys' buoyant spirit makes up for any lack. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars You have to love em.........., November 15, 2007

By 

W. Lopez "greattobealive" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Half a Million Miles (Audio CD)

I have heard the Kennedys on a number of occasions. Their guitar playing superb, their songs/lyrics the best. This album is both uplifting and charming. Buy the album, oh yeah, see them in person, in and around Northhampton, MA.....ABSOLUTELY