Brian Kennedy

Brian Kennedy is my morning ritual. I stumble into the kitchen, turn on the dimmest light, and switch on his music. My favorite is his 1996 record, “A Better Man.” Something about the balance of sad, sweet, intimate songs mixed with mid-tempo, rousing pieces of joy that I adore so much.

I discovered Brian years ago watching a compilation DVD I purchased on a whim. It was a concert of various Irish artists from Mary Black to Sinead O’Connor. I thought Brian’s performance was terrific; the glittery blouse he wore was over-the-top and great fun. Later when I was in Dublin, I picked up a copy of a free newspaper with Brian on the cover. I learned how he got his big break by singing back-up to Van Morrison and he talked about what he looks for in a man. It was a VERY telling article.

But back to his music, I’ve gushed over this man’s voice for years now. He can sing with such intimacy that I feel like I’m peering through a window at someone telling a story; I’m eavesdropping and stealing something that isn’t mine. I guess it’s that intimacy that I enjoy when I play his music in the mornings. He sings me little stories, reminds me that the world is complicated, and that people do persevere. If that sounds too much like a rose-colored glasses outlook, well, that’s just what I need in the mornings.

The album “A Better Man” has what I think is a good mix of heartbreaking songs like, “Won’t You Take Me Home,” “And So I Will Wait for You,” and “Wish Me Well”, mixed with haunting, atmospheric songs like, “No Other Words,” “The Oldest Dream in the World,” “By the Mountain Road,” and “Ghost Music.” But it’s not all tears and moody imagery. The album has some up-tempo songs like “Life, Love and Happiness” plus the World Party cover, “Put the Message in the Box.” The titular song “A Better Man” is a catchy opener too. I’ll leave this post with the song, ”For One Kiss”, back when Brian had long hair. I just can’t get enough of this record!