''The Big Picture'' is the sixth solo

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

Bap Kennedy Martin Christopher Kennedy (17 June 1962 – 1 November 2016), known as Bap Kennedy, was a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was noted for his collaborations with Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Shane MacGowan and Mark Knopfler, as ...

, released on August 2, 2005 on Loose Records. It is a mix of

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...

, Americana and Celtic soul with guest vocals by

Shane MacGowan Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (25 December 195730 November 2023) was a British-born Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of Celtic punk band the Pogues. He won acclaim for his lyrics, whic ...

and also features a song co-written with

Van Morrison Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison (born 31 August 1945) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician whose recording career started in the 1960s. Morrison's albums have performed well in the UK and Ireland, with more than 40 reaching the UK ...

. On "Moriarty's Blues",

Carolyn Cassady Carolyn Elizabeth Robinson Cassady (April 28, 1923 – September 20, 2013) was an American writer and associated with the Beat Generation through her marriage to Neal Cassady and her friendships with Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and other pr ...

recites from her book, ''

Off the Road ''Off the Road: Twenty Years with Cassady, Kerouac and Ginsberg'' is an autobiographical book by Carolyn Cassady. Originally published in 1990 as ''Off the Road: My Years with Cassady, Kerouac, and Ginsberg'', it was republished by London's B ...

''. In a review by

Mojo Mojo may refer to: * Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in Hoodoo Arts, entertainment and media Film and television * ''Mojo'' (2017 film), a 2017 Indian Kannada drama film written and directed by Sreesha Belakvaadi * '' ...

it was given four out of five stars.

Track listing

:All songs and music by Bap Kennedy, except where noted. # "Rock and Roll Heaven" – 2:46 # "The Truth is Painful" – 4:00 # "Moriarty's Blues" – 3:15 # "Streetwise" – 3:28 # "Too Old for Fairy Tales" – 4:43 # "Milky Way" – (

, Bap Kennedy) - 3:49 # "Loverman" – 3:16 # "Fireworks" – 3:06 # "On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol" (vocals by

) – 3:22 # "The Sweet Smell of Success" – 3:09 # "The Beautiful Country" -3:17

Personnel

*Bap Kennedy - lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar *Ed Deane - acoustic, electric and lap steel guitar *

James Walbourne James Walbourne (born 2 February 1980) is a British singer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the current lead guitarist in The Pretenders as well as one-half of The Rails. Biography When he was young he wanted to play in clubs around ...

- guitar, mandolin * Carwyn Ellis, Rory McFarlane - bass *

BJ Cole Brian John Cole (born 17 June 1946) is an English pedal steel guitarist, who has long been active as a session and solo musician. Coming to prominence in the early 1970s with the band Cochise, Cole has played in many styles, ranging from main ...

- pedal steel guitar *Kieran Kiely - piano, accordion, low whistle, organ *Johnny Mac, Martin Hughes - drums *Michele Drees - drums, percussion *Damian Hand - tenor and alto saxophone *Dave Priseman - trumpet, horn *Jake Walker - violin, viola *Alison Limerick, Carlton Webster, Vera Haime - backing vocals

Notes

External links

bapkennedy.com - Reviews: The Big Picture

{{DEFAULTSORT:Big Picture Bap Kennedy albums 2005 albums