Seamus Kennedy New CD: A Smile & a Tear

Subject: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: JedMarum
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 10:45 AM

Our very own Seamus Kennedy has just released his 10th CD on Gransha Records. The album is called A Smile and a Tear and includes some old favorites as well as some new! Seamus is accompanied by several of his long time music friends, plays multiple instruments himself, and introduces one or two new musicians as well. He is joined by World Champion piper EJ Jones (from the very popluar Houston TX-based Celtic Trad band, Clandestine) on a humorous Seamus original called The Boogie Woogie Piper. Seamus is joined by his son Damian, who plays several purcussion instruments (Damian also produced the artwork for the project).

I particularly liked the mix of music on this record. Seamus presents some wonderful old trad tunes like Mairi's Wedding and some fine modern folk-style songs like Michael Smith's The Dutchman and a superb and moving new song from a Seamus friend named Mike Campbell called, The Wilderness Letters. The famous poem written by poet/rebel Joseph Plunkett I See His Blood Upon the Rose introduces Seamus's fine rendition of the bros. O'Meara classic, Grace. And as any Seamus Kennedy album MUST have, there are several, very funny songs.

This is a wonderful CD. Seamus and co-producer Brad Hayford have done a fine job of arranging, performing and recording these tunes. The instrumentation is traditional, and even though there is at times a complex blend of many layers, the sound is always simple and uncomplicated - the common thread on every track is Seamus's rich baritone voice carrying the song. I don't know if the album is available for sale yet on his website, but the link to Seamus's website is here.

I'd be remiss if I didn't say that perhaps some of my enthusiasm for this CD was grounded in the fact that Seamus included one of my own original songs on the record. I was honored to have Sweet Ellen Joyce selected for inclusion - and thrilled to hear the fine result!

I hope all Mucatters get a chance to enjoy this great album by one of our favorite Mudcatters.

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: MMario
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 11:01 AM

Seamus told me he was going to include Sweet Ellen Joyce - and I was reading through the post waiting for you to mention it. Congratulations to you both...looking forward to hearing the CD.

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 11:03 AM

Oh darn, now the "gushing's" all been done!

Can't wait to get mine!

We NEED this.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 12:14 PM

So my complete collection is no longer complete? Added to my want list when I am once again employed.
Mary

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: JedMarum
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 06:32 PM

You don't need to wait to be employed, Mary - send me a PM with your addr. As it happens, I have an extra copy!

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Big Mick
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 09:53 PM

I will be ordering this one, straightaway. I love my bro Seamus.

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: guinnesschik
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 03:10 PM

It's a wonderful CD. Everyone should own a copy!

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: GUEST,Seamus Kennedy
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 04:14 PM

Jed, you dog! I didn't expect you to promote my new CD on the 'Cat, but thank you very much. Your great song, Sweet Ellen Joyce is a beauty, and I look forward to doing it with you at the NTIF in March. Thank you. If anybody wishes to order it, you can go to cdbaby.com, which just coincidentally also carries Jed Marum's CD- Streets of Fall River. Any other performing 'Catters finding it hard to sing after the atrocities of last week? I am. It's hard for me, because humor seems so inappropriate, and the sad ballads have a lyric or two which can trigger tears in the audience.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 04:46 PM

Seamus, yes, and I am thinking of you. I know you will handle it right, because your heart for the people out front is so fine. Just be yourself, you know. That's who they've come to see and hear.

~S~

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Whistleworks
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 04:58 PM

Let me also be one to agree with WYSIWYG. Seamus, we all come to hear YOU. I know it's tough now. All I want to do is play laments, etc. but El McMeen said it best; "In times such as these, people often look to familiar musicians to help them get through the tough times". I could not agree more.

I will be dedicating a medley of two songs on the next CD to all of the disaster relief people who have worked so hard in New York and Virginia. And Mr. McMeen has been gracious to play along with me.

Oh, and Seamus, it's my birthday today, so I will get myself one of these new CDs as a very appropriate present.

Thanks and thanks again,

Bob Pegritz

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: JedMarum
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 05:28 PM

Seamus - I have found it a bit hard to sing, following these tragedies - and have found audiences subdued. It has changed my selection of song songs, a bit (more mellow tunes, less humor). But I think people know life must go on.

Bob Pegritz - I still play tracks from your CD (among others) when we play music between sets at pubs/fests. Red is the Rose seems to be a favorite.

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 09:02 PM

Seamus, I played The Michigan Irish Music Festival (See you there next year, my friend) this weekend. Shared the bill with Gaelic Storm, Lawrence Nugent, and a number of others. It started off as you describe, but once the music took over and the people started responding everything came out very well. It was as if people needed a release. We had all talked among ourselves and determined to give them one. At the very end of each of our four performances we sang The Star Spangled Banner and it seemed to cap it off very well. The point is, I think it is our obligation to be what we are. It is why they come. That is our job my friend. And you are one of the best at it.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 01:10 AM

Mick, Bob, Jed, WYS et al: You're all right. I did a gig last night in Annapolis at Harry Browne's. A full house and I was a bit tentative, especially about the jokes and humorous songs. But I plunged in, and the crowd responded. They needed the release, and so did I, and it worked out. I'm performing at the Irish 2000 Festival in Albany, NY this weekend, and at the Celtic Classic Festival in Bethlehem, PA next weekend, and I will be donating a percentage of my CD sales to the relief workers, the NYPD and to the NYFD. True heroes, every goddamn one of 'em!

All the best.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 02:05 AM

Ah, there's our Seamus. We'll come see you when we can... maybe Snyder coming up... be thinking about you till then, sweetie.

Here's some hugs... (gotta keep the kisses for the cleric!) *G*

{{{{{{{{{{{{ SEAMUS! }}}}}}}}}}}}}

Oo,ee! It was a wiggly one!

Seamus... I can almost see it, the little pause where you felt a bit tentative... I bet the people found that utterly real and just as wonderful as the rest, and cheered you on as you hit your stride.

GO SEAMUS!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Whistleworks
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:04 AM

I have my order in for that new CD. Can't wait. And Jed, thanks a bunch for the plug. You are the best. I learned America the Beautiful on the whistle. Will play it at the session in Northampton tomorrow night (if I can get through it).

VERY best wishes,

Bob

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Alice
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:37 AM

Thanks for the thread, Jed. (Just a note, Mairi's Wedding is not an old trad tune - plenty of info on Mudcat about its composition). Belated birthday greeting, Bob.

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 12:19 PM

Thanks for the correction, Alice. I have always thought of it as trad but I guess I was wrong! It's a wonderful song, and Seamus does a great job on his new CD. We perform the song too, and I love it ... I don't get to play banjo on it as often as I used to when we had a second guitar player - but it flows beautifully on 5 string banjo with fiddle and guitar.

And, oh yes; Happy Birthday Bob!

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 12:30 PM

(HBB)

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: InOBU
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 12:32 PM

I finally heard Seamus myself and am going to chase all my friends out to get hsi latest. Cheers, Larry

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: DougR
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 06:19 PM

I thought it was trad too, but i'm darned sure not going to argue with Alice! :>)

I'm glad you included Jed's song on your CD, Seamus. Its' a great song.

DougR

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 12:14 AM

Happy Birthday, Bob! Hope you can get through America The Beautiful.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: GUEST,Mass Guy
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 12:50 PM

Hey I heard some of this CD on the radio today in Worcester Mass. Sounded great! Where is it for sale?

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 01:45 PM

Mine arrived yesterday.... mmmm!

From the CD jacket:

For booking information call:
McShane Glover, Noteworthy Productions, 1241/2 Archwood Drive, Annapolis, MD (USA) or call 410-268-8232, or e-mail [e-mail].

To order recordings, write to:
Gransha Records, PO Box 614, Arnold, MD 21012
or via internet, at www.cdbaby.com.

~S~

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:06 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: GUEST,Mass Guy
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 09:44 AM

The Saturday morning Celtic show plaed Grace and another song from this CD. Both sounded great!

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 10:44 AM

Maybe Mudcatters near folk radio programs should make sure the stations have copies of Seamus Kennedy recordings.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: kendall
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 06:15 AM

I cant imagine how I missed this thread. Seamus rules!

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: alison
Date: 24 Oct 01 - 03:06 AM

I got mine today... wonderful CD, (like all the others)

thanks Seamus

I need a translation of the gaelic though....

"health and long life and mackerel"????? *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Mudcatter Seamus Kennedy New CD Release
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 24 Oct 01 - 07:44 AM

Heather Fielding played at least one, I believe two cuts from this on Acoustic Workshop on Monday. Sounded great.