Customer Reviews

Life Is Large (CD)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1. It is an utter mystery to me why The Kennedys are not better known than they are. Maybe people see the name and confuse them with that defunct punk group from San Francisco! Or maybe it's because they've been too eclectic - their first album of pop-Celtic folk fit the Green Linit mold, but the label probably didn't know what to do with this pop-rock masterpiece.

2. I've caught them live twice and as some of the reviews have mentioned they put on a great show. But they only played two songs from this their best(imho) disk: the title track and "Siren". Which is too bad, because these are some of the most instantly memorable tunes I've been lucky enough to stumble upon. The harmonies on "St. Marks Square" are so languidly beautiful they might make you cry. ....

How husband and wife Pete and Maura Kennedy finished on the Green Linnet label is beyond me: "Life Is Large" is about a thousand miles from Celtic music. The album brims with feel-good pop, jangle rhythm guitars, and an infectious paisley-painted groovy love philosophy. Maura's voice is as sweet as cotton candy - she's delightful, wholesome, and her lyrics are a throwback to the sixties days of "peace brother." The title cut sets the exuberant tone of the album; that is, life is big enough not to be a downer. "Velvet Glove" offers a friendly hand to those dismayed by love gone wrong, "Sunday" is an uplifting "forget about yesterday" ditty, where "Tribe" bounces along gingerly on its "we're all one family" message. And where would a melodic pop album be without paying homage to the Beatles: see "Blackberry Rain."

Although Maura occupies center stage with her lead vocals, Pete is not to be forgotten. His adoration (and technical expertise) for Roger McGuinn's (Byrds) jangle-guitar is nostalgic (Life Is Large, St. Mark's Square, Sunday, Mystery, Tribe). Pete's chiming rhythm work is an ideal complement to Maura's delectable voice.

Of the twelve tracks here, "One Heart, One Soul" deserves a special note. The gorgeous melody, lush production, and potent message should bring every listener out of his gray day and into the cheerful sunlight. And that may be a fair summery of "Life Is Large" - buoyant Pop for gray days.

The tunes are so catchy, you might have to force yourself to listen to the lyrics -- but it's worth it. Even the simplest ones ("Me and you, we're a tribe of two") convey a feeling strongly, while some of the others, like the title track, verge on inspiring ("How do you want to be remembered -- a raging fire or a dying ember?"). I think the Kennedys are classed as folk partly because their lyrics actually mean something and partly because the folk world is more open to experiment -- the pop music world is propbably not ready for musicians having this much fun. The musical style is brand-new but reminiscient of late-1960s pop, ranging from neo-Byrds -- I especially like Roger McGuinn's playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring on the title cut -- to the Beatles in their sitar period ("Blackberry Rain").

This is my favorite of theirs so far, and is probably a good place to start listening to Pete and Maura, and to start tuning in to the connection between them so evident in every song.

The Kennedys have yet to release a CD that is as wonderful as they are in concert. However, "Life Is Large" is their best and is a solid representation of what you can expect if you are fortunate enough to catch them live. Their influences are easy to spot; the jangling guitars are very much Byrds-influenced. In fact, Roger McGuinn himself sits in on the title track, a catchy pop tune that will take up permanent residence in your cranium. Maura Kennedy does the majority of the lead singing, while husband Pete is a guitarist extraordinaire. Their style ranges from jangly pop to folk to rock to country. The Kennedys' lyrics are crisp and intelligent, their tunes catchy and memorable. "Life Is Large" is a joy to listen to.

Modern day folk rock doesn't get any better than the Kennedy's. I first heard this husband and wife duo when they came through town and played at a small local club a few years ago. I immediatly went out and bought their first cd "River Of Fallen Stars", which I thought at the time was the best modern day folk rock album that I had heard. But then this album "Life Is Large" came out a couple years later, and to my surprise is every bit as good as "River". The big difference between this album and their first one is this is more pop oriented and has a much bigger production and a little louder guitars. It still has Pete Kennedy's trademark jangly Byrds style guitar, which he perfected while playing for Nancy Griffith's Blue Moon Orchestra, where he also met his wife Maura. Their music varies in style so much on here, that it's hard to call this just a folk album. Besides nods to Graham Parsons and the Byrds, they also sound a little Tom Pettyish on the brilliant "Heart Of Darkness". They show their psycedelic 60's side, sitar and all on "Right As Rain". And do a very obvious nod to the Beatles on "Blackberry Rain". But this is the good kind of ripoff music. Thanks to the considerable skills of the Kennedy's singing, playing, and songwriting. Maura Kennedy has to have one of the prettiest, most pleasant and soothing singing voices I've ever heard. These two are deservably well respected in the folk circles, judging by the allstar special guest list here of Roger Mcguinn (an obvious choice), Steve Earle, Peter Holsapple, Nils Lofgren, Charlie Sexton, Jimmy Lafave, Michael Fracasso, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. And that's just to name a few. Not that they needed any of these people's help though. I think the talents of these two stand on their own. They are the best kept secret in folk music. The only thing else I can say about them is: Pete and Maura, please come back to Oklahoma City and play. It's been too long and we miss ya!

The Kennedys are chameleons. Folk, pop, rock, bluegrass, they reincarnate with each tune. The consistent things, which are clear on this recording, are Pete's flawless guitar playing and Maura's clear, haunting voice. The tunes are all memorable- I find myself humming them all the time and my kids, ages 6 and 10, know most of the words. Is this a profound album? Hardly. But it never pretends to be anything more than it is- good music. If you get to see The Kennedys in performance, you'll run to buy their stuff. If you're just looking for something catchy, listenable, and fun, this album is for you. And if you like this, try Evolver (higher tech) or River of Fallen Stars (simpler and low tech). You might be surprised but you'll never be sorry.