Kennedys, The
Smoketree
"Three decades on, folk circuit road warriors Pete and Maura Kennedy release their strongest statement of encouragement in dark times. Smoketree, their seventeenth album, is a collection of original songs that reflect their passionate feelings on matters timely and timeless. Environmental concerns, social upheaval,, the search for peace in the world, peace in our nation and peace in ones heart: all these are touched upon with their enduring tone of uplift and encouragement. The Kennedys are known for bringing the light rather than cursing the darkness, and they continue that compassionate approach with Smoketree. Pete and Maura composed, engineered, and produced all the songs in their Hudson Valley studio. Session veterans, they wove together acoustic guitars, 5-string banjo, mandolin, steel guitar and harmonica with an occasional twangy Telecaster, to create an organic fabric of acoustic and electric tones that frame their duo harmonies, Petes melodic pedal steel, and Mauras soaring lead vocals. It's widely known that the Kennedys first date was a west Texas road trip to Buddy Hollys grave, and their dedication to organic, root-oriented, rocking songwriting has only increased and deepened over three decades, culminating in Smoketree."