Wishing all readers a Happy and prosperous 2009!

Kev turns his back on 2008 and looks forward....

Kev Moore

Photo by Miki

A Very Merry Christmas

Unsung Heroes wishes all its readers and discerning music lovers a very Happy Christmas!

Unsung Heroes No. 9 – Nik Kershaw

Nik Kershaw - Have guitar, will travel....

Eternally damed as a lightweight 80’s designer pop star, Nik Kershaw is, in reality, an incredibly gifted musician and songwriter. His highly catchy 80’s hits a quite deceptive. delve beneath their glossy exterior and you find considered and clever arrangements and changes. take the song ” When a Heart beats” for example – the solo is completely off the wall, worthy of Bill Nelson or Robert Fripp, and the riff has a killer time signature.

When he disappeared off the radar as a solo artist after releasing four excellent albums, he resurfaced alongside Elton John on guitar – recording a duet with him, and wrote the No. 1 hit for Chesney Hawkes “The One and Only”. Success also came his way courtesy of a brace of hits he wrote for teen act Let loose. Further collaborations with Les Rhythm Digitales and Genesis’ Tony Banks further cemented his reputation as musician’s musician.

He returned in the 21st century with a pair of albums any artist would be proud to call their own. Eschewing the sequence/synth heavy production of his past and opting for a more acoustic-led approach, he delivered “15 Minutes” and “To be Frank” . Both albums an embarrassment of riches, a songwriting masterclass.

His latest release – “You’ve got to laugh” is available only on the internet. Forget any 80’s preconceptions, Nik Kershaw is one of the UK’s leading songwriters. He should be declared a National Treasure.

Check out this beautiful version of his biggest hit “Wouldn’t it be good” with more than a little help from Howard Jones.

Kev Moore

Unsung Heroes No.8 – Joyce “Baby Jean” Kennedy

Joyce "Baby Jean" Kennedy

Back in the musical melting-pot of the early 70’s there was a lot of experimentation going on with different kinds of Fusion, Out of the Heavy bands of the late 60’s and the funk and soul acts of the same era, musicians began creating something greater than the sum of its parts: Funk Rock. Undisputed pioneers of this genre were Atlanta’s Mother’s Finest – a multi-racial band that featured serious grooves, rock guitar – and the unmistakable powerhouse vocals of Baby Jean Kennedy. Criminally underrated as a singer, she and the band, which also features husband Glenn Murdoch as co-vocalist nevertheless enjoy a massive loyal following that remain with them to this day. Admired by countless musicians, a single show for Rockpalast in Germany in 1978 ensured them everlasting cult status. Never ones to shy away from controversy, titles like “Niggizz can’t snag rock’n'roll” and “Black radio won’t play this record” testify to their struggle against the musical pigeon-holing which affects so many of these crossover bands.

The plain fact is, like Living Colour, Dan Reed Network and Glenn Hughes – people shouldn’t waste time trying to work out what it is. It is what it is, man! Now crank those guitars, get into the groove and thrill to Baby Jean’s glorious voice!

Kev Moore