Sometimes an artist reinvents themselves so radically no trace of the past is left behind. In the new EP the smooth jazz of previous Shannon Kennedy albums gives way to mature fully developed musical dynamics. Whilst her earlier work showed technical prowess with a saxophone this EP of bold imaginative orchestral pieces invokes stirring images and themes and shows an artist coming of age. The album begins with “French Song” – the mind is unmistakably transported to relaxing afternoons walking the side streets of Paris. Harps, strings and accordions combine in a lilting melody. “I Am” – starts with the feel of an Afro Celt Sound Systems tune – combining a world music feel with unusual rhythms and overlapping melodic themes. As the tune develops the piano overlaid with strings and bird cries the mood becomes almost menacing. In this international journey we now arrive in Ireland – “Irish Mix” - and a drastic change of mood. Bag pipes, harps and strings leading to a tin whistle giving a fresh driving modern take Irish traditional music that just makes you want to dance. In “Katie’s Theme” operatic vocals lead up to a sparse haunting melody of interplayed flute and piano. The circular melody slowly builds adding strings until collapsing in a dramatic conclusion. Perhaps the highlight of the album, Tango at Midnight combines church like, hymnal vocals and delicate piano melodies to allude to the late night trysts the title suggests. The final tune, Manus Theme, takes us to the prairies. Cellos lead the string ensemble out into an expansive overdriven tune letting us complete our ride into the deserted featureless landscape. With the feel of a collection of movie soundtracks this album should open a whole new audience for her undoubted talents. The only concern is what happened to the saxophone!
Maisons-Alfort
Shannon Kennedy’s Maisons-Alfort from L’Automne is a dreamlike foray into the world of contemporary classical music. Purely instrumental, the work is harmonically driven, with a comfortingly gentle waltz-like rhythmic flow. The exquisitely quiet French character is subtly established by the use of accordion within the simple sectional structure. The nostalgic tone established by the harp at the outset lets the listener know that they are being allowed a glimpse of a private, sweetly tender and romantic memory. In this work, Kennedy creates for us an aural postcard, in which she reminisces about a calm and quaint, yet altogether pleasant Parisian experience. Maisons-Alfort is the first EP from the collection Les Saisons.
I Am
Much darker in tone than Maisons-Alfort, the ominous I Am is rich in suspense and intrigue. In a straight forward three-part form, the work is a continuously building crescendo that Kennedy methodically creates through the interaction of dynamics and instrumentation. Ambiguously programmatic, but clearly conflict-centered, this journey begins with carefully orchestrated use of Eastern percussion and a hauntingly dark and rich string melody. To this simple, yet foreboding texture, Kennedy soon adds an evocative contrapuntal dialog between the celesta and the piano. A brief reprise from the tension is unexpectedly found in the more optimistic B section, wherein a harmonic shift eases the intensity while the cello line supports the lyrical piano melody and the drum kit provides a soothing, laid-back groove. The original emotional struggle depicted in the beginning, however, is reintroduced in the concluding section, this time with the brilliant use of military percussion that serves to relentlessly drive the work towards the clearly unavoidable climax.
L'Automne
With the Spartan texture that introduces the work, consisting first of worldless choral singing followed by penny whistle and bass drum, Kennedy’s L’Automne instantly brings to mind the deserted landscape of fall. Here again, the subtle use of harp indicates that the listener is being invited to share in a quiet moment, a personal reflection upon growth and change. This introspective work is solitary, but not joyless. It is, in fact, a perfect sonic image of contentment and peace, a testament to a transcendent awareness of limitless possibilities all of which is supported by the unexpectedly open ended conclusion.