Review: performance

Brian Kennedy: at the Queensland Irish Club, Brisbane, Australia.

Thursday 9^th October 2003

Review 14^th October 2003 by John Frame for Queer Radio

I have been honoured to record four interviews with Brian Kennedy- - two by phone, one “face to face” over lunch in a restaurant beside the Brisbane River (where I took the above photo), and the other as a studio guest with Queer Radio at 4ZZZfm. I present all of these for your pleasure:

Brian Kennedy xph ex Tipperary, Ireland 17^th September 2003 (19minutes, 56kps, mono, 8mb mp3)

Brian Kennedy as studio guest 4ZZZfm Brisbane, Australia 10^th November 2004 (63minutes, 64kps, mono, 29mb mp3) (unedited 1 hour segment)

Brian Kennedy re “The Arrival of Fergal Flynn”, in person Brisbane, Australia 18^th March 2005 (38minutes, 128kps, stereo, 35mb mp3)

Brian Kennedy xph ex Dublin, Ireland 23^rd July 2007 (20minutes, 64kps, mono, 10mb, mp3)

Send feedback regarding these Brian Kennedy interviews.

www.briankennedy.co.uk Brian's show on Thursday night 9th October at the Brisbane Irish Club - was very impressive. He kept it all under control - politely getting the best from his all-purpose road manager, Glenn, and from the sound system, in a hall that does not lend easily to great acoustics (and with an old electric wall clock behind him that determinedly chimed each hour). He quickly established a rapport of relaxed friendship - making jokes that were as much at his own expense as the audience - and giving a generous 90+ minute show. Brian sang a few songs from "On Song" but most were from his back catalogue (see on-site discography) - and all of the music was beautifully presented. The only CD on sale was "Get On With Your Short Life" - which was a good choice. When I heard that album later at home I was amazed at the consistent quality of every aspect (lyrics/music/voice/arrangement/production). It's no wonder Brian has so many die-hard fans around the globe. That's also why a couple of local fans were concerned to see vacant seats at the back of the hall - they knew this show would have sold out in any town where he is well known. The standing ovation was genuine and spontaneous and I'm certain there'll be exponentially more people queuing for tickets for his next tour. I chatted with Brian as he signed my CD and I kissed his cheek, rather than just shake his hand - congratulating him for the standard he's setting for honesty around the world among queer musicians. In person he is as genuinely charming as he is "easy on the eye". I feel very much privileged to have been able to facilitate our interview and share it with the world. I know, from personal experience, that I can whole-heartedly recommend his recorded works and performance and I'll be using his songs when possible in the future on our show. Another punter told me I must see the DVD of "A Tribute To Bacharach and David" - which he says has Brian showcased in the best of company (Elvis Costello, Dionne Warwick etc). I've ordered that disc tonight - it might tide me over until Brian's next visit.

Hear Brian Kennedy’s Queer Radio I.D. (5 secs, 60K mp3) Brian Kennedy interview aired on Queer Radio 24^th September 2003: Brian Kennedy - Ireland’s much loved and highly acclaimed vocalist, musician, producer and musicologist. On 17^th September 2003 I chatted (for Queer Radio) with Brian by phone from his home in County Tipperary, Ireland. He would soon tour Australia, including three local shows. Brian has a strong reputation for integrity and as a great performing artist. He has several top selling CD albums and a renewed contract to produce a further 6 part BBC TV series of “Brian Kennedy On Song” (a history of Irish music). He is proud to be open and honest regarding his gay sexuality, especially in support of queer youth - who are much in need of societal role models. In Ireland, he says, it’s rare enough to hear any “out of wedlock” sex being discussed, let alone positive things about queerdom. Brian has a truly fine counter-tenor voice, and applies great skill as a producer and musical arranger. He has collaborated with numerous acclaimed artists (e.g. Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor), as well having performed in Riverdance on Broadway for a full year. His 2003 Australian tour included shows at the Brisbane Irish Club on 9^th October, Club Zamia (Nth Tamborine) on Friday 10^th and The Paradise Room (Gold Coast) on Saturday 11^th. On 24^th September 2003, we played 19 minutes of interview dialogue plus music from his most recent CD “On Song” (traditional songs which featured in his BBC TV series). Go to www.briankennedy.co.uk for full details of this extraordinary and proud gay Irish man. Brian Kennedy interview aired on This Way Out: A 7 minute edit of our 17^th September 2003 interview was broadcast around the world in late September via the international lesbian and gay radio magazine program This way Out www.thiswayout.org .