Tony Floyd Kenna – Jed McConkey

BLACK

Jed McConkey.

The songs of Jed McConkey & Tony Floyd Kenna.

Reviewed by Robert Craven – 2013.

Track listing:

1) After The Storm.

2) I Can Only Dream.

3) Black.

4) Furnace Of Life.

5) Song For A New Day.

This is an album of 5 haunting tracks, each with its own particular theme of love, loss and regret, with the music of Jed McConkey and the lyrics of Tony Floyd Kenna. McConkey’s voice has a care-worn huskiness that draws upon such influences as Roy Harper, Roger Waters, John Martyn and Peter Gabriel. The pace of the tracks is measured and each builds from a stripped down opening to the full thrust of the song, notably on ‘Black’ and ‘After the storm’.

‘After The Storm’ An electric guitar opening with bass playing on the off-beat against a simple, clean drum groove allows Jed’s vocals to drift across the song. A strong song and with huge potential airplay. Jed’s vocals are smoky, care-worn and deliver the song of loss and regret nicely.

‘I Can Only Dream’ ‘Jed brings a gentle edge to Tony’s songwriting. With Jed’s distinctive guitar sound never far from the surface, he proves how good the material is in the hands of a sympathetic performer. Another radio-friendly song at it’s best. Additional keyboards from John Hohnstein.

‘Black’ – ‘when the shutters come down’. A thought provoking song with a Floydian feel, it draws you right in.

‘Furnace of life’ for me is the strongest track, an accomplished piece that rises from the dark themes that filter through the 5 songs, a rousing protest anthem for positivity – ‘it’s the human condition to try to survive’. With the nuanced backing vocals of Hetty Bryce-Lane giving the song the necessary depth required. As on each of the 5 tracks, McConkey’s guitar solos are assured, measured and perfectly in step with the song, again for me, the solo on ‘Furnace of life’ captures his style succinctly.

The last track ‘Song For A New Day’ has the elements of Peter Gabriel’s early material, notably ‘Lead a normal life’, with double tracked vocals and busy counter-tempo sequenced rhythms, with a wonderful build up to the chorus. Double-tracked guitars are again delivered in a no-nonsense style without swamping the song in distortion.

‘Black’ – the songs of Jed McConkey & Tony Floyd Kenna though short, has much to commend to it, notably the high standard of song writing, musicianship and overall production. If I have any complaint, it would be that there should be more tracks on the CD; although, there’s something to be said about leaving the audience wanting more.

https://jedmcconkey.bandcamp.com/album/black-ep

Death Of A Dream – 2016

https://jedmcconkey.bandcamp.com/track/death-of-a-dream-kenna-mcconkey

Furnace Of Life – Lyrics

Lyrics written by Tony Floyd Kenna – Music written by Jed McConkey – May 19th 2013.

The streets they are shaking, there’s blood on the walls. The rain cannot wash out those terrible calls
It’s life in a grinder where the innocent fell. Just trying to break free from this living hell.

There’s noise on the pavement from boot heels and flesh. Aggression and passion embrace and enmesh
It’s the human condition to try to survive. To push and to shove, try to get out alive.

Hear the shots in the alley, the crowd will resist. We can’t take anymore, it’s so hard, to exist.
See the flames getting higher, the crowds raise a cheer. There’s daylight in darkness, the future, draws near.

There’s noise on the pavement from boot heels and flesh. Aggression and passion embrace and enmesh
It’s the human condition to try to survive. To push and to shove, try to get out alive.

An anarchists canvas is brewing a storm. The children are dying that try to be born
And the furnace is burning in the streets filled with strife. There’s no turning back now, on the furnace of life.

There’s noise on the pavement from boot heels and flesh. Aggression and passion embrace and enmesh
It’s the human condition to try to survive. To push and to shove, try to get out alive

There’s noise on the pavement from boot heels and flesh. Aggression and passion embrace and enmesh
It’s the human condition to try to survive. To push and to shove, try to get out alive

credits

Released May 20, 2013
Lyrics written by Tony Floyd Kenna
Music written by Jed McConkey
Recorded and Performed by Jed
Backing Vocals by Hetty Lane
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BLACK – Origin …

During the writing and production of ‘Songs From The Furnace Of Life’, I was co-writing with Jed for tracks for Disc Two which Jed would record and perform. As time went on it became evident that something more than simply contributions for the second disc was happening. Our combined efforts seemed to lead to unique and special tracks with a dinstinctive sound and feel. What began as a few co writes had taken on a life of it’s own and a mini album was evolving……

You will hear slightly different versions of the songs already on ‘Furnace – Disc two’ and of course the amazing ‘Furnace Of Life ‘ track itself (with the angelic Hetty Bryce-Lane joining on vocals). Originally this was naturally going to be on ‘Songs From The Furnace Of Life’, track nine, Disc One. But, as I worked on it something inside said to hold up and pass it to Jed, it seemed to belong to the Jed & Tony ‘Black’ suite of songs. I sent the lyrics on to Jed and by this stage ‘The First Time’, written with Davina Brady only a few days previous, was telling me it was track nine…..

I believe any reissue of ‘Songs From The The Furnace Of Life’ will have to be a triple album…..

http://jedmcconkey.bandcamp.com/album/black-ep

The response to ‘Black’ has been overwhelmingly positive, every track has been spotlighted, discussed, gotten radio plays, talked about, shared… I believe Jed has delivered something very special out of the songs we created…… thank you Jed, T.

Notes on The Songs from Jed and Tony …

‘After The Storm’ is the first co-write from Tony and myself. It was concieved about 15 years past and lay at the bottom of the ‘Ideas’ pile. I had a few lyrics penned but was never happy with it. Along comes Mr Tony Floyd Kenna through the power of technology and Satellite Communication (isn’t it a wonderful thing) and he fixed it! After a brief on-line introduction that went somthin’ like ” Hello, can ya help me out with this tune?” Tony said “Yes” and 2 days later I received the lyrics.
This is where it gets SPOOKY wooOOO.
I sent off the wav file and title but didn’t include the initial theme. What came back really surprised me and knocked me a little sideways!  Tony not only picked up on the mood of the tune, he also penned an extension of the original lyric without ever seeing it!   WoooOOOO!
The 2 sets of Lyrics sat very nicely together and with a few modifications on the tune “After The Storm” was finally finished after all these years and the pain in my ass is gone!
Thanks Tony.’ Jed.
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‘I Can Only Dream’ This track is the 3rd collaboration with Tony and I think we are now startin’ to develop a Tony & Jed Sound. The lyrics for ‘I Can Only Dream’ arrived in my inbox and I was truly moved near to the brink of tears. A truly moving and beautifully penned lyric!The lyric wrote the music and melody with ease which doesn’t happen to me very often. It would normally take me weeks to come up with a melody I’m happy with. The bridge section was very nearly binned as I didn’t really want to disturb the vibe from the lyrics but after only 2 passes I thought it worked quite nicely. The slow guitar solo, mellow bass and kit made me reflect on past sorrows.“But still I smile, there, by your graveside. And sometimes I quietly cry. I’m longing for the day when I’ll see you again. To be there, wherever you walk. Wherever you walk.

As I said previously “The Lyric wrote the music and melody” 1st Class writing from Tony!’ Jed. ‘

‘And first class composition, interpretation and performance from Jed ! … yep, I think even I was nearly moved.. but don’t tell anyone …but, do tell this…
It has been a great honour to link up with Jed and find that we seamlessly found a way of working together, to create songs that neither of us would have created on our own.  Jed is a wondeful musician, distinctive singer, mindful producer and drawer of amazing soundscapes. Colour, sound and groove to which I believe the Universe is happily in unison with.’ T.
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‘Black’ ‘I had barely finished ‘I Can Only Dream’ and I get this message from Tony saying “Are you ready for the next one. How about something DARK?” I said “Send it on ya slave driver” seconds later it’s in the inbox! ‘BLACK’. “BLACK” I says to meself “ummmmmm” I had an immediate connection with the lyrics and I think I’m beginning to accurately interpret Tony’s Emotional State, even though he denies having an Emotional State!This is the latest Tony and Jed collaboration and in my view the best. I listen to this on a daily basis which may sound a little egotistical but I assure you I’m not but I am presently consuming a few cans of Guinness and I have a considerable amount to get through.Anyways! “When the shutters come down and the world doesn’t want to know” definitely set the mood for the entire song.I started with the Acoustic, picking 1 chord throughout with a wide ambient reverb to create an illusion of endless loneliness (Guinness is kickin’ in) .
A continuously repeated 8/4 step-down progression worked very well with the lyric and Acoustic so iIdidn’t mess with it which is out of character for me! (startin’ to ramble now). Last but not least is the ever present REVERB, which I use on everything! A very valuable tool, especially for creating a Space, Emptiness, Loneliness, Darkness, BLACK!
” When you are stripped down and bare. You got nothing at all, nothing at all, when the night turns Black”
Cheers Tony for the Great Lyrics. Guinness is Good For You!’ Jed.
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‘Furnace Of Life’ … …. ‘ Originally this was naturally going to be on my album ‘Songs From The Furnace Of Life’, track nine, Disc One. But, as I worked on it something inside said to hold up and pass it to Jed, it seemed to belong to the Jed & Tony ‘Black’ suite of songs. I sent the lyrics on to Jed and by this stage ‘The First Time’, written with Davina Brady only a few days previous, was telling me it was track nine….. Jed did an amazing job on this song and totally captured the soundscape and soul which I had imagined for the song… and all just from the lyrics… I felt people had had enough and that our world was in a dark place…’ Tony.
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‘Song For A New Day’  started life as an Instrumental piece, yet another tune at the bottom of the pile. I sent the wav file off to Tony with no details on theme and I received the lyrics back a few days later (Tony works fast). The new lyrics totally altered my take on the tune and I re-recorded the whole piece, not once but twice!The original piece was in a minor key throughout but Tony’s lyrics of having faith and hope for what tomorrow may bring breathed a whole new life and a spring of happiness with it. This was a really nice boost for me and changed the chorus from minor to major.

I think Tony and I worked together in a past life or dimension. I hope i’m translating Tony’s emotional state when he commits the lyrics to paper. Until I’m instructed otherwise I’ll forge forth onto the morrow.

Thanks Tony, its a pleasure workin’ with ya.’ Jed.

‘..and a pleasure working with you Jed, no one ever said I had an emotional state before…cool…’ T 🙂