Half a Million Miles

Half a Million Miles

Editorial Reviews
Mike Jurkovic, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, August 2005
"Unafraid to mix philosophy, spirituality, love and artistry with a folk-rock back beat...a positive force on all things human."

Product Description
Even after ten years, over a thousand gigs and 500,000 miles of touring as a married, music-making couple, singer-guitarists Pete and Maura Kennedy haven't killed each other. The duo savors each instant in life and in each other's company, and it shows in their music. The Kennedys have been charming audiences and critics for a decade with their exuberant mixture of folk, rock, country, pop and secular gospel, a philosophical depth in their lyrics, and joyful, kinetic performances and recordings.

"Half a Million Miles," The Kennedys' 8th CD, presents ten sparkling roots-pop originals, plus two complementary covers, infused with their "live in the moment" outlook. The Kennedys' constant touring, coupled with the influence of such writers as Joseph Campbell, Aldous Huxley, and Eckhart Tolle, has taught them about "the eternal now." With eyes wide open, they discover wisdom and musical inspiration everywhere. A mysterious greeting at their local East Village sushi bar is transformed into the buoyant "Namaste" (translation: "The divine in me recognizes the divine in you"). A neighborhood merchant becomes "9th Street Billy, the guru of East Side soul" in a lilting bossa nova. "Live" and "Listen" are respectively forceful and delicate reminders to stop and smell the roses.

While the original songs on "Half a Million Miles" all bear references to the Buddhist outlook of openness and enlightenment, Pete calls the two cover versions - Richard Thompson's wrenching "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again?" and Bob Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom" - "political, peacenik songs," that pay attention to current events.

Maura's lead vocals are sweet and often girlishly playful while displaying a plaintive edge of experience, and Pete's harmonies add a second coating of melodic delight. And the guitars! While Maura provides rhythm guitar grooves, Pete lays down layers of chiming acoustic and 12-string leads (and all other instruments on the CD).

Ear candy and brain food are an irresistible combination on "Half a Million Miles," where The Everly Brothers meet Emerson, The Byrds meets Buddha, and everyone gets along just fine. Join The Kennedys in their celebration of life on this CD, in their next half million miles of performances and airing the music they love on their "Dharma Café" show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Half a Million Miles

Tracks:

Half a Million Miles
Namaste
Midnight Ghost
Live
Listen
Nuah
9th Street Billy
Everything's on Fire
How Will I Ever Be Simple Again?
Chimes of Freedom
Time Ain't Long
Here and Now

Album Description

Even after ten years, over a thousand gigs and 500,000 miles of touring as a married, music-making couple, singer-guitarists Pete and Maura Kennedy haven't killed each other. The duo savors each instant in life and in each other's company, and it shows in their music. The Kennedys have been charming audiences and critics for a decade with their exuberant mixture of folk, rock, country, pop and secular gospel, a philosophical depth in their lyrics, and joyful, kinetic performances and recordings.

Customer Reviews:

Talent.......2006-11-18

Totally enjoyable vibrant music. Saw them in a small venue tonight (25 people) and am hooked. Talented and personable. Join in.

Wonderful.......2006-06-17

Thanks to WFUV in NY, I went to their concert at the Rubin Museum and discovered a duo with a beautiful sound. Their folk music is fused with all sorts of cultural traditions and an all-inclusive brand of spirituality. For me, Maura's voice and Pete's guitar are as good as any I can recall, and their energy is infectious.