Download
my press kit in .pdf format
Radio Play
Comments
and reviews of This Song is for You:
"It's a fine CD. Great guitar on Sweet Georgia Brown, love
the Playin the Blues story, great quality throughout. Very listenable."
~ Steve Traina, Steve's Folk Show on WCSB
"There’s a lot of variety, ranging from ballads (“Just
One Dream”), to chestnuts (“Shady Grove”) to jazzy
instrumentals and talking blues. What keeps the whole affair together
are the intimate feel of the music and Kean’s sparkling guitar
work..." ~ Jeff Wanser, reviewing the new CD "This Song
is for You" for Buzzard Tracks...(read the entire
review)
Recently
I did a couple of interviews on area music shows, here are the excerpts
from those shows:
Oct. 10, 2015: Steve's
Folk interview with Steve
Traina on WCSB
Oct.
8, 2015: Woodchoppers
Ball interview with Chip
Ellmers on WRUW
"Dear
Kerry,
It's
not often we get to listen to a recording of such diverse, interesting
compositions. You were very musically descriptive with each selection,
and we were delightfully rewarded each time a new tune found its
way on each progressive track!
We
played it over the outside loudspeakers at the shop, and a customer
came in and said: "Now that's the way a guitar ought to be
played!" We agree, wholeheartedly!"
Don and Marty at Wildwood Music Shop, Coshocton, Ohio
From
the Youngstown Vindicator, May 25, 2012:
"Over the past 40 years Kerry Kean’s musical journey had
taken him from a folk-based Peter, Paul and Mary sound into classic
rock, show bands and even jazz outfits. Today, the Kent-based singer-guitarist
has happily settled into the organic sounding Kerry Kean Trio, which
naturally includes himself alongside Kathy Camille (guitar, guitolin
and vocals) and Mike Pereira (upright bass, mandolin and vocals).
Confirming the roots credibility of the act..." (more)
"Dear
Kerry,
Joel and I just wanted to say thank you for playing at our wedding
on 9/10/11. So many of our guests and friends told us that you did
a wonderful job. We were sorry that we didn't get to hear it! Best
of luck to you. I hope our little event helped spread the word on
how talented you are.
Thank you, again,
Sarah & Joel Raabe"
"To
the band,
Thank you so much for the wonderful performance you gave at Old
97 this evening. What great talent and I loved your playlist! You
lifted my spirit :-} " - Sara (email after a trio show)
"Great
picking and singing last night! Thanks!"
Jay Johnson - Honky Tonk House Concerts
"I
just wanted to tell you again how much we enjoyed your lunch time
concert at the Mustill store on Sept. 17th. You two really captured
the essence of our canal-era store, and it was evident everyone
enjoyed themselves immensely. Your selections were “right on!”.
Thanks again, Rowan
- E. Rowan MacTaggart, Volunteer and Programs Coordinator, Cascade
Locks Park Association, Akron
"Everyone
seemed to have a great time and wanted to know if you were coming
back!" - Luana, owner of Canterbury Coffee, Bellefontaine,
Ohio
From
FolkWorld Issue 41 March 2010
"Kerry
Kean’s album (New River Guitarism) stays primarily in the well-known
territory of modern easy-listening compositions for finger-picked
guitar, with smooth melodies and harmonies. An up-tempo version
of the classic fiddle tune “Red-Haired Boy” with well-crafted
improvisational passages alters the otherwise characteristic sound
of the album. A strikingly beautiful rendition of the John Dowland
piece “Flow My Tears” seems to bring out the best of Kean’s
guitar playing, matched only by his original piece “After the
Harvest”, for which Kean won the 2008 Kent State Folk Festival
talent contest. The album is inspired by Kean’s respect and
awe for the beauty of the New River Gorge in West Virginia. His
reverence for the natural world shines through in his mostly peaceful
compositions, making this album a treat for lovers of melodic guitar."
- Gabe McCaslin
http://www.folkworld.eu/41/e/cds2.html#kean
"You
were classy this weekend Kerry (opening for Nanci Griffith) –
way to go!"
- Jim Blum, Weekend Folk Music on WKSU
From
Minor 7th webzine November/December, 2009
"Kerry
Kean's sophomore effort "New River Guitarism" is sure
to please those who prefer acoustic guitar with a traditional feel,
yet Kean offers much more with a bit of flat-picking, an Irish tune,
an original jig and even the delicate nuance of a Renaissance song.
Kean covers a breadth of material that includes eleven originals
and two covers with ample acoustic chops. With each listen it becomes
clear that Kean possesses the ability to find the heart and soul
of each of the varied styles presented on this collection. Favorites
include "Flow My Tears" and "After the Harvest",
the song that earned him the 2008 Kent State Folk Festival Talent
Contest."
© James Filkins
www.minor7th.com/shorttakes12_09.html
From
the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
"Being
a hiker—you can catch me in the outrageously unearthly Colorado
Plateau red rock country whenever I have the opportunity to hit
the road for a couple of weeks—and very occasional climber,
I'm always interested in what musicians can do to compact the spaciousness
and splendor of the great outdoors into their art. Kean, a hiker/climber
and a fingerstyle picker of consummate dexterity, has managed to
portray several aspects of the New River region of West Virginia
very well indeed, doing so solo but filling out each cut nicely..."
- Mark S. Tucker for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
(Read
the full
review)
What
a rarity! A whole album that I love! It's such disappointment when
you hear one cut from an album and fall in love with it and then
find the rest of the album is mediocre at best. Not so in this case!
The intelligent and clever compositions, incredibly sensitive performances,
and creative divergence of styles and moods makes this an album
that will remain in my list of favorites for a long time - - - because
everytime you listen you find something new to admire and enjoy
- Cindy H. on CDBaby.com
From
Roots Music Report webzine
"WOW!
From Ohio comes one of the best guitar players of all times. Why
he has not been discovered yet I don't know. I really can't stop
listening to his music. Once you hear his music you are hooked on
it..."
- Joseph Bourgeois on RootsMusicReport.com
From
Reviewyou.com
"Using contrasting styles, musical moods and tempos, the CD
starts strong with the beautiful New River Suite. The two movements,
White Water and Drifting conjure up images of swirling water, powerful
waves and soothing tides...The strength of the album is definitely
Kean’s skill as a guitar virtuoso, his ability to bring his
instrument to life while transmitting images to the mind of the
listener are extraordinary. His ability as a master musician is
illustrated quite clearly on songs such as Ride Gypsy Cowboy and
Grandma’s Typewriter..."
- Dr. Naima Johnston on Reviewyou.com
(Read the full
review)
From
Minor 7th Webzine on CDBaby
" …The Woodchopper's Ball" is just such
a CD -- full of fine guitar music…there are some players many
of us have not heard of, like Ryann Anderson, Kerry Kean, and Jon
Mosey. But don't let their lack of star status fool you -- these
folks can play. This is a great CD -- go out and buy it -- you'll
get some fine music, and all the proceeds go to support the Northeast
Ohio Coalition for the Homeless."
(Read the full review)
From
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/NewCDs.htm
“New
River Guitarism” is Kerry Kean’s second cd of fingerstyle
guitar solos. With 11 original and two traditional tunes, it covers
a wide range of styles and moods ranging from soft and pretty ("Drifting",
"After the Harvest") to rapid-fire cascades of notes ("White
Water", "Grandma's Typewriter"). Much of the music
on this cd was inspired by the New River in West Virginia, and Kerry’s
love of the outdoors and beautiful places shines through.
Just
wanted to take a minute to say what a pleasure it was to get to
see you tonight at the Folkatorium. It is a cool place to play and
listen.Especially when the tunes were as good as they were tonight.
Hope to catch you again soon.
- Glenn Peterhansen
Wow!
The new cd is great! I also really enjoyed your liner notes (I'll
never forget my rides with $5 Frank)
- Jacqi Templeton, Wooster, Ohio
Just
a note to say how much we've enjoyed your CD! Stephanie and I had
it in our car all last weekend and it provided a really nice soundtrack
to the fall weekend. Great job selecting the tunes, and your finger
work is certainly impressive.
Good job!
- Bill Kist, Akron Ohio
Kerry
-- thank you for playing at our party last nite at Mayfield, I enjoyed
it very much and many others did too, judging by the comments -
Tom H.
Just
got the new CD - first songs playing now - I believe you did these
here last time. Went with my son last year and watched folks jumping
off the bridge on the cover from above and below, some in colorful
and crazy costumes. Was back there in March visiting my friend Bearded
Dave who works for the Park Service there and brews his own beer.
Can't wait to get back and try the water out for the first time.
Enjoying the CD, planning to drive home to it.
- Hank Mallery, Cleveland Metroparks
Got the CD the other day. Thank you and congratulations! Mike and
I love it. It is beautifully done and shows off your skill and sensitivity.
I have been enjoying all the songs but being a melancholy Eastern
European sort, really like Flow My Tears and Midnight in the Gorge
but I dig all the other tunes, too. Pulled out my mandolin for Red
Haired Boy and accompanied your guitar. I think I'll give it another
listen in just a moment as I clean up the house (the ONLY way to
clean house is with accompaniment). I like the cover photo and you
have an impish grin on the back... pretty cool. Great song titles,
too.
- Natalia Burgess, Portland Oregon
Jim
had you come to Beloit and play for the recycling festival. I am
Jim's wife and bought your CD's from you there. I am really enjoying
listening to them. Thank you for sharing your gift of music. Enjoyed
meeting you and listening to you and your group at the garage.
- Donna McNatt, Beloit Ohio
Congrats,
Kerry!
We look forward to seeing you on the Mustill Store porch next year.
Rowan
- E. Rowan MacTaggart, Akron City Parks
Hi
Kerry! Our family loves your new CD. We play it all the time in
the car - good travelling music! - Anne Teare, Kent
I
visited your site and listened to some of your tunes. Enjoyed all
of them; Seneca Rag is excellent! Keep playing great music, Kerry!
- Rick Wagner, Dayton
By
the way, your C.D. is incredible, I play it on the road frequently,
and I am always on the road! Bill and I and friends have really
enjoyed it. Any new gigs added to your winter schedule? Let us know.
- Carrie & Bill P.,
Mogadore
A
great instrumental "sings" those unspoken words..the translation
is down deep; it is a language of it's own.
Nice job, Kerry!
Posted by JL Braswell on Folkalley.com (on "Seneca Rag")
