"Pining Time" Musical Reviews
"Wielding a powerful voice equal parts honey and smoke, hope and hurt, Kenny expertly pilots her top-flight band over the wide-ranging terrain of this exciting debut. Whether crooning or crowing, she sings with compelling urgency and furious imagination. From the bittersweet ache of “Aerosol” to the Latin swing of “Zapatos” to the psychedelic hard rock of the title track, Kenny displays an impressive versatility as a songwriter that’s well-suited to her strong vocals. Pining Time is sexy. It swings. It reels and it rocks. This is the record you want playing this summer when you put the top down and step on the gas."
-Bill Loehfelm, Music Critic/Author, New Orleans, LA
"Kerry Kenny is a veteran of the stage whose musical journey started as soon as she could walk. Raised in a Scranton, Pennsylvania Irish Pub, Kerry grew up entertaining. She performed as part of the popular local sibling group, The Kenny Kids. Music has remained at the center of Kerry’s life, ever since.
As an adult, Kerry Kenny has continued to create with insatiable curiosity. The multitalented musician has traveled throughout Europe and Asia performing, studying composition, and teaching. Her eclectic sound reflects the songwriter’s international biography.
Pining Time is the debut album from Kerry Kenny Band, released worldwide via all major streaming services on March 17, 2023. The twelve-song set is a fun genre-bending ride with a virtuosic set of players. At their helm is a versatile and talented bandleader and storyteller who also loves a good jam session.
From the sexy country funk of “Wake Me ” to the epic 8:19 dark-pop/art-rock meditation “Vultures”, Kerry Kenny and her band mix folk traditions, pop sensibilities, and a jam-band soul. A band of apparently boundless versatility, they swing a melancholy country waltz (“Aerosol”) with the same ease as they do a fiddle-infused tango groove (“Zapatos”).
The blues beats at the heart of all of Kerry Kenny’s stylistic explorations. She and the band lay down some swampy bayou grooves on sultry and rhythmic tracks like “Good”, “Jockey Full of Bourbon”, and “Freddie”. The group adds plenty of rock & roll to the sauce as well.
The title track’s funky main riff kicks off an epic anthem built on equal parts Broadway, chamber-pop, and 60’s psychedelic rock. On “Vultures”, Kerry Kenny sings esoteric and visual poetry over a dark and bluesy meditation that introduces a healthy dose of 70s art-rock to the sound. The record closes on a super cute home recording of The Kenny Kids singing some good ole mountain music.
Watch a partially animated Kerry Kenny traverse the streets of Midtown Manhattan in the title track “Pining Time” video below. You can also hear that song and “Aerosol” on the Deep Indie Dive playlist, or listen to the entire album on your favorite streaming service. We had the chance to chat with Kerry Kenny about the record. Check out her answers to our 8 questions below. And follow the links at the end of this article to connect with Kerry Kenny Band."
Bob Smith, https://staticdive.com/
"The Kerry Kenny Band has unveiled its debut studio album titled "Pining Time." On this release, the band stands out as a bonafide musical powerhouse, combining various styles to create a truly unique sound. Listeners can expect to be taken on a musical journey of curve balls ranging from rock, Motown, fusion, funk, and Latin grooves. This diverse range of influences sets the Kerry Kenny Band apart from other musical acts, as the group keeps their audience on their toes with something new and exciting. Kerry Kenny herself is a genuinely wonderful vocalist. She is very versatile and has a huge range, enabling her to explore the impressive array of sounds that makes the band so special. Kerry has the ability to sound as sweet as honey or as powerful as a tropical storm.
"Pining Time" is a testament to the band's musical prowess, with 12 songs offering a different flavor. The tracks are all individually enjoyable, but the overall listening experience of the album shines for the kaleidoscopic music journey it offers!
The title track itself is arguably one of the highlights of this release. It features soaring rock violin leads - yes, you’re reading it right: it’s a rock violin! This track has massive amount of energy ready to be unleashed. One of the best things about the album is the fact that it is an innovative record, but the band still respects its musical roots. The record pays homage to the band's influences by covering songs like "Jockey Full of Bourbon" by Tom Waits. However, Kerry's charming melodic take on the tune, reminiscent of Stevie Nicks at her peak, truly makes it one-of-a-kind.
"Ali's Song" is another fantastic moment of note on this record. It showcases Kerry's mesmerizing vocals, echoing the work of iconic singers such as Sinèad O'Connor or Alanis Morissette, among others.
Overall, the Kerry Kenny Band is a musical force to be reckoned with, and their album is a testament to their undeniable talent and creativity."
Reviewed by Andrea Caccese, thebandcampdiaries.com
"What I love about this work is that, if I hadn’t met Kerry Kenny, I would be unsure where her music originated from. Is she from New Orleans? Nashville? Dublin? Memphis? Los Angeles? She brings musical experience from across the world to one of the best ways you can spend 55 minutes this year.
"Pining Time" is the newest record from the dynamic and powerful Kerry Kenny Band. Led by Kerry's powerful, playful guitar work and vocals, this dynamic record takes the listener across a surprising and refreshing spectrum of musical talent and expert songwriting. Kerry surrounds herself with high-caliber inventive musicians who help bring her vision to light. Mark Grasso keeps time with inventive and adaptable drums & percussion, building a percussive foundation that allows the amazing John Ruffi to dance on with his tastefully precise guitar virtuosity. Joe Biglin brings the funk with the piano, melodica, and hammond organ, putting in yet another layer to this delicious experience. Jon Ventre and Paul Kuzik lay on the low end with their brands of bass accompaniment that make this bass-playing reviewer want to strongly shake their hands and learn from their driving and grooving choices. Mark Woodyatt is a feature of the record with his work on the violin. He gives a distinct sound that swings on the sultry Latin tracks, then leaps up and shreds on the rock tracks. His contributions are profound and paint the album in a very special and brilliant light.
The album itself is expertly mixed and mastered by Eric Ritter at Windmill Agency Recording Studios. It is rich, full, and polished from the first note to the last. The mix provides an immersive listening experience on a fine hi-fidelity system, headphones or a factory standard car audio system.
Aside from the mix of musical influences that span continents and time, the thing that stood out to me on the first listen was that while the tracks felt familiar, they were also entirely new. This is a theme across the album, and with multiple listenings, the work still felt new and revealed additional nuances that drive the listener to hit repeat again and again. This is such an important and beautiful part of a great piece of music and it takes a true crafts-person to achieve.
The title track, "Pining Time," will make you sweat on the dance floor, while sultry Latin-flavored offerings like "Good" and "Zapatos" will connect you with music in an almost primal way. Ballads like "Aerosol," "Ali's Song (Daddy)," and "Breathe" are soaring and grand, suitable for arena shows as much as driving at night in the country with the windows down and the volume at 10. Kerry also adds a surprising a cappella element to the flow of the album on the the Celtic-influenced track "Painting the Ruins," with Kerry on bodhran. The massive cinematic track, "Vultures," is a psychedelic showcase masterpiece, yet another unexpected and outstanding achievement. The album closes with "Boil That Cabbage Down," which warms your heart in a very specific way, featuring Kerry at 4 years old singing with her father."
-Dave Maxwell, Dynamic Bloom LLC - Brand and Domain Management, Bloomsburg, PA