It was sad news when I belatedly heard about this great singer-songwriter's death in 2016. Bap Kennedy's 1998 album 'Domestic Blues' was unavoidable during any visit to Real Groovy Records, in Auckland, at the time. I usually trusted them with their recommendations and they were on the money with this one. The album was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy in Nashville and released on Steve Earle's E-Squared label.
The album is a perfect blend of Bap's Northern Irish/Celtic roots and the Americana of the Earle/Nashville camp. Steve Earle's presence is strong throughout and for me that's a real plus. In saying that though, this is still considered an actual Bap Kennedy album over a collaboration album.
The album is full of gems and the one that got most of my attention would have to be "The Ghosts of Belfast". The ultimate Roots/Americana song.... with one of my favourite lines "My glass is half full - but it's cracked on the side".
