The Kennedys ~ 2019 March 1 ~ The Burren ~ Somerville, MA
Band Personnel: Maura Kennedy, rhythm Gibson guitar, vocals; Pete Kennedy, Rickenbacker 12 string and 6 string electric guitars, lap steel guitar, vocals.
Opening act: Jason and Jacob Sibi-Okumu, acoustic guitars and vocals
Set List
Songs on which Pete played the lap steel are marked [LS]
Life Is Large - West - 9th Street Billy - Pete reads from 'Tone, Twang, and Taste' - Late Night Grand Hotel {Nanci Griffith} - Pistol Island - Velvet Glove [LS] - Sleep Walk {Santo & Johnny} [LS] - Rhyme and Reason [LS] - Umbrella [LS] - Pete reads from 'Tone, Twang, and Taste' - Be Silent No More - Don't Talk to Strangers - Matty Groves {traditional} - Safe Until Tomorrow - Midnight Train To Georgia {Gladys Knight and The Pips} ... encore ... Run Red Light - Stand
Setlist also available at setlist.fm
Videos
Velvet Glove
Umbrella
Review
Maura and Pete Kennedy brought their upbeat and energetic folk-pop to the Boston suburbs on a Friday night. Pete was the star of this show, playing lap steel on several songs and reading from his new guitar memoir, Tone, Twang, and Taste. He had great comic timing in reading two segments from the book, both of which described "gigs from hell." The addition of the lap steel, an instrument Pete has recently acquired, brought a new sound to the show. He also had two Rickenbacker electric guitars, a 12 string and a 6 string, that he played when he wasn't on the lap steel. Instrumentally, it was a great show. Maura's crystal clear singing and high-energy rhythm guitar playing were topnotch as always.
Pete and Maura took some requests and peppered the set with a few rarities and unexpected covers. Pete was impressed that audience members recognized the instrumental he played on the lap steel ("Sleep Walk" by Santo & Johnny). They played several songs from the latest album, 'Safe Until Tomorrow,' including my favorite, "Don't Talk To Strangers."
The show was opened by a talented brother duo, Jason and Jacob Sibi-Okumu. Jason is the older brother and writer of lyrically interesting, musically engaging songs. Jacob is the younger brother, adding in some pleasing guitar licks and singing excellent harmony. Jacob joined The Kennedys for their encore "Stand," contributing harmony vocals and a solid guitar solo.
The Burren is an excellent concert venue easily reached from the MBTA Davis Square station. They have a good pub food menu. The sound was excellent, and there was a light show playing on the ceiling and walls behind the musicians that really added to the visual appeal, and looks nice in the pictures.
More Kennedys
Here is a page with a handy list of links to all pages on this website with content relating to Maura and Pete Kennedy.
Click for 2019 Concert Page with links to all 2019 concerts ... Click for Main Concert Page with links to all years