Search - Kennedys :: Songs of the Open Road

On "Songs of the Open Road," their ninth and latest CD, The Kennedys forego their own buoyant songs of transcendent twang to present new versions of their favorite traveling music written by others, a cosmic jukebox of folk, rock, country, pop and secular gospel material with philosophical underpinnings. The first seconds of the CD's opener, Victoria Williams' "This Moment," are like slipping into a cool, calm pool, as Maura sings of appreciating each instant in life. After attuning us to the eternal now, The Kennedys head for the skies in a soaring version of The Byrds' "Eight Miles High," with a psychedelic swarm of guitars, electric sitar, and kinetic rhythm section, multi-instrumentalist Pete providing shadow-close harmonies to Maura's sweet 'n' sassy lead vocals. The California folk-rock-country sound is heard often here as The Kennedys honor many great West Coast-based writers. Three former Byrds are represented: on the cautionary "Sin City" (co-written by Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman while in the Flying Burrito Brothers) and on Gene Clark's elegantly mournful "Gypsy Rider." The bossa nova lilt of Stephen Stills' "Pretty Girl Why" soothes the apocalyptic anguish of Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," which precedes it. "Galveston," Jimmy Webb's 1969 hit for Glenn Campbell, is a more oblique anti-war commentary as an overseas soldier yearns for his distant home and lover. Americana pioneer John Stewart provides the wistful "Jasmine," an alluring siren's call to tour, while Bob Neuwirth's "Eye on the Road" spells out the dangers of answering that sweet summons. The ache of the traveling musician is also heard on "Late Night Grande Hotel," written by The Kennedys' friend and former employer, Nanci Griffith. Pete and Maura honor another soulmate, the late Dave Carter, by covering his twinkling "Happytown (All Right with Me)" and the yearning "Gypsy Rose." Rounding out the CD are a rousing version of Mahalia Jackson's gospel declaration, "I'm on My Way," and a rocking rendition of Nick Lowe's "Raging Eyes." With its wide assortment of source material, delicate thematic threads, and sparkling vocals and arrangements, Songs of the Open Road can't fail to expand The Kennedys' reputation as imaginative, joyful musicians, conceptualists and "a positive force on all things human" ("Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange").