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
Lyrics written by Tony Floyd Kenna
Music written by Jed McConkey
Recorded and Performed by Jed
Backing Vocals by Hetty Lane
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 …
As I said previously “The Lyric wrote the music and melody” 1st Class writing from Tony!’ Jed. ‘
‘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.
Thanks Tony, its a pleasure workin’ with ya.’ Jed.