"Life is Large"

 
With Vince Santoro on drums
and Wade Matthews on bass,
the CD also features guest performances by:
Roger McGuinn
Steve Earle
Charlie Sexton
Kelly Willis
Nils Lofgren
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Peter Holsapple
Susan Cowsill
Eric Ambel
John Gorka
Jimmy LaFave
Fichael Fracasso
Monte Warden
Starz Vanderlockett
 
 

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Listen to sound samples from "Life is Large"

Pete and Maura Kennedy, the songwriting and performing nucleus of The Kennedys, wrote their first songs together while touring Europe a few years back with folk/pop star Nanci Griffith.  Writing mostly in Ireland, they developed a bright, pop-flavored concoction of Beatlesque melodies and Celtic modes.  The music had an ethereal sheen that was much in evidence on their first release, 1995's critically acclaimed "River of Fallen Stars".  For 1996, their new album has a title that proclaims their own trend-bucking, optimistic view, "Life Is Large", and this time around, things are just a little bit different.
 
Jangly guitars bump up against insightful lyrics and irresistible melodies that call to mind the classic era of the Byrds and The Beatles, but in a totally contemporary way.

Pete and Maura explain their change in approach: "Our concept this time was to preserve the ringing guitars and pop hooks of "River...", but to go for a more earthy, organic mix--a live band with different personalities bouncing off each other. "

The "organic band" turned out to be a star studded cast, including Byrds frontman (and acknowledged Kennedys mentor) Roger McGuinn, who turns in the album's most instantly recognizable cameo--his ringing 12-string on the title cut.

Other stellar contributors include Steve Earle (guesting on mandolin), Kelly Willis, Charlie Sexton, John Gorka, and Peter Holsapple.  E-streeter Nils Lofgren turns up on accordion, accompanied by the Dixie Hummingbirds gospel quartet.  It reads like a Hollywood cast of thousands, but the Kennedys' knack for melody always shines through--the album is, above all, a collection of classic pop songs.
 
Whether playing acoustically or with their Rickenbacker-armed band, the Kennedys put across a surfeit of energy and love for their craft.  Their unashamedly idealistic lyrics and fresh melodic approach confirm from the opening chords that, for this duo, life is truly large.

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