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Het kustgebied ten zuiden van New Jersey is de natuurlijke habitat van singer-songwriter Kenny Young, de ruime veertiger die als frontman van de ‘Kenny Young Band’ met “Simple Things” zijn ultieme droom - een uitstekende debuutplaat - heeft klaargestoomd. Daarop staan dertien nummers waaronder twee covers, namelijk “Walk Away Renee” van de groep ‘The Left Banke’ uit 1966 en later populair gemaakt door ‘The Four Tops’ en het prachtige “Midnight Rider” van The Allman Brothers Band, dat Kenny Young hier in een bijna onherkenbare ‘Bad Company’-achtige rockversie brengt. Kenny Young schrijft en zingt zijn liedjes voornamelijk in het countryrockgenre, een stijl waarmee hij al op zeer jonge leeftijd kennismaakte via zijn ouders. Hij was amper 8 jaar oud toen hij al zelf nummers componeerde op zijn akoestische gitaar. Samen met zijn vader en zijn broer speelde hij eerst in het covergroepje ‘Tribulation’, maar na een tijdje speelde deze band ook door Kenny geschreven liedjes.
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http://flyinshoes.ning.com/profiles/blogs/kenny-young-band-simple-things
The Kenny Young Band hail from New Jersey and play countrified rock with a distinctive Southern twist. An unlikely cover of Walk Away Renee hints at a history of earning a crust playing crowd pleasers and, if this example is anything to go by, they really know what they’re about. The restrained vocal lets the heartbreak story shine through, whilst the glorious soaring tune gets a guitar band arrangement that suits it down to the ground. The other cover on this album is more indicative of where this band’s heart is. Greg Allman and Kim Payne’s Midnight Rider sounds really good, complete with authentic harmonising vocals as per proper Southern Rock. Andy Schlee has fun with his guitar part, sliding with dirt and fuzz all over the tune, and it’s not the only chance he gets to do his Allmans tribute act.
Kenny Young’s own songs are plenty strong enough to be in this company, drawing on a variety of styles but certainly having quite a strong 70s air (in the best possible way) – formative years shine through, I guess. I can’t find any sign that he has plans to make it over to the UK though the fact this disc (from 2010) recently appeared in the post suggests there’s something afoot. Well worth checking out, anyway, because this is solidly entertaining fare from a real craftsman.
John Davy
Flying Shoes Review (Scotland)
The Kenny Young Band hail from New Jersey and play countrified rock with a distinctive Southern twist. An unlikely cover of Walk Away Renee hints at a history of earning a crust playing crowd pleasers and, if this example is anything to go by, they really know what they’re about. The restrained vocal lets the heartbreak story shine through, whilst the glorious soaring tune gets a guitar band arrangement that suits it down to the ground. The other cover on this album is more indicative of where this band’s heart is. Greg Allman and Kim Payne’s Midnight Rider sounds really good, complete with authentic harmonising vocals as per proper Southern Rock. Andy Schlee has fun with his guitar part, sliding with dirt and fuzz all over the tune, and it’s not the only chance he gets to do his Allmans tribute act.
Kenny Young’s own songs are plenty strong enough to be in this company, drawing on a variety of styles but certainly having quite a strong 70s air (in the best possible way) – formative years shine through, I guess. I can’t find any sign that he has plans to make it over to the UK though the fact this disc (from 2010) recently appeared in the post suggests there’s something afoot. Well worth checking out, anyway, because this is solidly entertaining fare from a real craftsman.
John Davy
Posted by John (Biscuits and Gravy) Davy on April 16, 2012 at 20:30
“…the music sticks to you like glue.”
- Jimmy Rae/skopemag.com
“I liked your stuff, and I would be willing to produce your next album”
– Henry Paul/founding member of the Outlaws (speaking w/Kenny after a performance in Nashville)
“Kenny Young infuses each of the tracks on “Simple Things” with a current and contemporary feel.”
– James McQuiston/Editor, NeuFutur Magazine
“…Kenny Young is something folks in smoked-filled establishments across the country will die for.”
- Cyrus Powell