By Lee Yarosh editor of the New York Times

A CONVERSATION WITH RONNIE KELLY

Dubliner Ronnie Kelly has listened to thousands of stories from
thousands of people. That's just the way it is when you tend bar to
pay the bills. With the release of his debut album, New York Behind
Bars, one can now hear his stories. Kelly has recorded ten original
songs that explore life in The City, images of his native Ireland and
a life in love with traveling.

Q. You say it's nice to have a home for these songs. Where were they
born and when? Some are New York-inspired, others aren't. Fill us in.
A. Well, I have many songs that never made it this far - onto an
album - and many are now lost. I'm just happy to have these songs
saved, so I feel I have done them justice. They are from all over and
about a lot of people and places and times.

Q. Grew up in Dublin. Lived and worked in Germany. Now a good bit of
time in New York. A fair bit of travel too. What's behind it?
A. When I was 21, I went to Germany and worked in bars and all had
live music every night. I met a lot of musicians and found not a lot
of them wrote their own music. I thought that if I put as much time
into writing my own songs as people did with learning cover songs,
who knows, after a few years maybe I could write a good song, maybe
even a great one.
As for the travel, after six years in Germany, I visited the U.S.,
and a friend said any time I feel like a change come over, so I did.
Now I feel like another and I'm moving to Crete to buy a bar. I
always enjoy working bars around music and people. It's like playing
songs, you finish one and move on to the next one. I have spent a lot
of time traveling all over the world and love it. It feeds the soul.


Q. You certainly don't hide your accent. If I were from Ireland,
could I tell where you were from? Perhaps,  even, right down to the
neighborhood?
A. People have told me they can hear my accent in my songs. I don't
do it on purpose. I can't help it, I don't notice it and couldn't
change it if I tried. The Dublin accent is a hard one to lose. But to
be honest, I wouldn't even want to. ;-)

Q. Songwriter, musician, bartender. Got a favorite?
A. I like them all. Bartending pays the bills and doesn't break the
back. The rest are hobbies. But I don't think I'd do bartending for
free, if you put it that way.

Q. You could probably buy your own island if you had a dime for every
story you've heard, every bit of advice you've dispensed. How much of
this shows up in these lyrics?
A. I have written a lot of songs based on stories people have told
me. I think it is easier to write about other peoples' experiences.
While I can be more honest and critical, and put in my own views, I
try not to point the  finger too much. Because, as they say, there
are always three fingers pointing back at you.

Q. Where do you go when you have a story to tell or need some advice?
A. That's a hard one. Not a lot of places, I am a bit too honest and
always seem to say too much so I just  sort it out myself. I have a
few close friends of course, and am very close to my family.

Q. Who is Francis Hughes?
A. Francis Hughes was from the north of Ireland, a south Derry town
called Tamlaghtduff. He and eight others died in prison during an I.
R. A. hunger strike in 1981 in The H-Blocks prison. They believed
they were P.O.W.s, not criminals, and refused to don prison clothes
and instead wore only blankets. As punishment, the guards would not
empty their toilets so they had to spread (it!) on the walls. They
felt they had no choice but to fight back like so many others in
Irish history. So, like the Lord Mayor of Limerick and others, they
went on a hunger strike.
  But my song is more on a personal note. I tried to put myself in his
shoes, so to say, and to know how much pain your family and friends
were feeling. And more and more I saw it as a father and how a father
would have understanding of his son's choices and hope that he's
right and hope that he will be all right, and will always miss him.

Q. You've got your own distinctive sound. But is there any music or
are there any musicians who inspire you?
  A. There's too many to mention and I hear new songwriters I like all
the time. You can't keep a good song down and maybe I'm just into
lyrics, but I love simple songs with meaning, not big productions. A
good song can be broken down and done on one guitar and still be
great.

Q. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
  A. I have no idea, and that's the way I like it. Roll with the
punches, go with the flow and enjoy my time, and keep my eyes open.

Q. Ireland, Germany, New York. Got a favorite?
A. I always enjoy wherever I am at the moment and always loved
wherever I've been.

Q. Give us your thoughts about New York. How does it compare to
everywhere else you've been. Is it all New Yorkers say it is? When
foreigners ask you about the city, what do you tell them?
A. It's the biggest melting pot in the world and greatest city there
is. There is  nowhere else like it, and like Frank says if you can
make it here, YOU'RE MAD!!

By; lee yarosh editor New York Times

Nah, he doesn’t mean the kind of place with guards, but a joint where you can get a cold one and a friendly ear. Kelly is a songwriter, a bartender and a traveler, and he’s got a lot of stories to tell. Don’t expect details, just the ache of emotion in simple folk/pop arrangements centered on his acoustic guitar. With a warm tenor steeped in a strong Dublin accent, crisp production and a collection of finely crafted songs, this is a release you don’t want to miss.

The chorus in “Give Me a Little Change” is one that won’t leave your head. It’s upbeat, simple but engaging and wonderfully arranged with acoustic guitar, vocals and percussion that builds slowly through out the song. Like most of his songs the lyrics have a great conversational style, nothing is forced.

In “City Lights” he sings

All the faces that have come and gone
I’ll remember them in an old Irish song
Stick to your worries in glass
And in time just watch them pass ...

In the chorus he insists there isn’t that one person he misses, but you know it ain’t true.

He plays in what sounds like an open tuning on “Full Moon.” “Danze” is built around a lovely finger picked guitar. The lyrics for the latter, though, come from a Mark Twain quote that others have used (Guy Clark comes to mind). At least Kelly has his own spin on it.

Some great images in “Your Eyes” tell the story:

Sitting here, sunlight coming
Through the open door
I could relax here for a while that’s for sure
Green umbrellas down along the beach
Day by day home seems more out of reach ...

The lyrics in “Nice Day” are light and by themselves, don’t say much but the arrangement and the melody wrap around them, and wow. It’s the kind of song you wanna blast while you’re driving around town with the windows down.

One of the most moving cuts is “Frances Hughes,” about a political prisoner who died in an Irish prison in the 80s. Its minor melody doesn’t tell us every detail but effectively shows the despair. What sounds like ulleann pipes adds to the melancholy; a moody cello underlines everything.

I’m guessing about the instrumentation, and I don’t know who plays any of the instruments because the liner notes don’t say. Neither does his website. I’m glad the lyrics come with the disc, but I’d like musician credits too.

I don’t know where to file this release. It’s too pop to be folk; there’s too much emphasis on the acoustic guitar and hand percussion to be pop. It’s not earthy enough to be Americana and he certainly doesn’t write anything that you could rush to Nashville. I only wish he was still in New York and touring so we could hear him live. His website says he just bought a bar in Crete. Go buy a shot from the guy and ask him to sing a few songs. Easier yet, buy this album.

Indie-Music Profile

Artist Website: http://www.ronniekelly.com

POSTED BY: EricLawrence

POSTED ON: 09 Mar 2008 01:20 AM

"New York Behind Bars" by Ronnie Kelly took us on an emotional journey of interesting stories written this Dublin born Singer/Songwriter. This album does a great job of showcasing Ronnie's strong songwriting skill and passionate vocals. Most of the album features acoustic guitar and vocals, and adds in some other interesting acoustic instruments. The lyrics on the CD are very personal yet are relevant for all of us. The relatively simple instrumentation and production allows Ronnie's visual and emotional songwriting to effectively paint musical scenes. "Down the Right Road" builds into a strong full-band groove and features well-blended harmonies. "Francis Hughes" nicely blends in bagpipe with string arrangements. "I Was There" is an emotional number that hits the heart of anyone who has been faced with substance abuse directly or through a friend. Fans of contemporary singer-songwriters will enjoy this impressive CD. -The RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team Check out Ronnie Kelly's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

---

---

Give him a little chance...
author: Eric Enright

One of the best albums I've come across in a while, New York Behind Bars is a very strong first  record from singer-songwriter Ronnie Kelly. Songs range from the uptempo, celebratory "City Lights" to the melancholy musings of "Francis Hughes," and hit every emotional note in between. With an honest voice, in more than once sense of the word, Kelly sings very personal songs that feel at once intimate and worldly. Skillful production showcases his tight musicianship and warm vocals, and makes me eagerly look forward to new offerings from this very talented new singer. In the meantime, I'll play this one again and again and again. Pick up this album, you won't be disappointed.