Andy Kennet (kennettandy@msn.com)
A Tribute to Billy Fury
Released May 2024
Reviewed 9th July 2024
Andy Kennet is entertainer from Poole, Dorset. He specialises in Rock 'n' Roll and is an Elvis Tribute Artist. Andy produces all is own releases from his home-made studio brilliantly called Mancave Productions. He is a one-man band so uses high quality backing tracks. The cover artwork is also down to Andy but then printed via Demomaster printing company https://www.demomaster.co.uk/
Tracks review
1 In Thoughts Of You. (Arnold, Morrow)
Andy opens the album with a great vocal and emotional track, and it’s the perfect track to open with. Because we all still think of him and his music daily. The intro has the dynamic piano opening and what I call the operatic ending, great first track
2, You’re Swell (Rowe)
Taken from billys 1962 movie Play it Cool production for Independent Artists. Andy brings a tribute to this mid-tempo movie classic. Once again, the vocal is spot on giving it that billy magic. The backing track is very good behind Andy with some superb backing vocals, great track.
3, Because of Love (Roberts, Batchelor)
Originally released by Billy in 1962. Superb vocals by Andy carrying the feeling of the track. deeper vocals when required before reaching higher on the chorus. The timing to the backing track is faultless, Elvis also recorded this track for his 1962 movie Girls Girls Girls. great job Andy
4, Cross My Heart. (Brandon, Wiener)
One of my all-time favourites of billy fury and Andy does not fail on this track, superb vocals and even catches glimpses of the fury vocal tremor. Sang with feeling once again. So good I played it four times.
5, A Thousand Stars (Eugene Pearson)
Andy delivers some great vocals on this track, sang with passion and the spoken section spoke with emotion. Great timing. Billy had a number fourteen hit in 1961 with the classic track .Kathy Young was the original singer in 1960 and sandy nelson played the drums for her.
6 Gonna Type A Letter (Fury, Robinson)
Originally released in 1959 and co wrote with Billy himself, it was the flip side to Billy’s very own maybe tomorrow. Andy takes this fast-paced jiver and makes it his own. I hear the rock n roll singer in this track and delivers it nicely and well within the tribute to billy style.
7, Stand By Me. (Heneker, Taylor)
Billy Fury & The Gamblers and first released in 1965 on the sound track album of the movie of the same title “Ive Gotta Horse” Andy belts this mid tempo track, which I have always felt should have been a single release. Vocally spot on once again. I can imagine andy tapping his toes away whilst recording this one. Great song that is rare to hear on any audio outlet. Great choice great song
8.Dont Jump. (fury)
Self-penned track from Mr Fury. If im correct it was only ever released as a single in the USA on London records in 1962 and was the flip side to ill never find another you. A very emotional track when you hear the words and Andy gets that across with this version, awesome backing and the intro is just WOW.
9, Maybe Tomorrow. (fury)
Capturing and calming the fury of Billy’s rendition of this track, soft vocals and the holding of the notes is fantastic, emotion and respect is felt from Andy to the legend he is paying tribute to.
10, Jealously (Gade, May)
One of Billys biggest hits, released in 1961. It was written by a composer from Demark “Jacob Thune Hansen Gade” who was composer, conductor, and violinist and wrote the tango “Jalousie" in 1925. Great rendition from Andy, hitting the keys on this track just like billy is achieved by Andy. Great cover version
11, Halfway to Paradise (King,Coffin)
First covered by Tony Orlando in 196. Billy took into the uk charts for 23 weeks. This took Billy to new level with the ballads. This tempo really does suit Andys vocal talent. Confidence is a great builder when singing someones song, especially when its being released to the public. Andy is defiantly confident in his voice and comes shinning through on each track.
12 Forget Him, (Anthony)
Written by the soul singer and writer Mark Anthony and was recorded by Billy in 1970, After billys untimely passing then remixed the backing to release a 1983 single. Andy gives an emotional rendition to this unbelievable song, personally I believe this is the best track up to yet, just beautiful version of a underplayed billy song.
13, Turn Your Lamp Down Low, ( Dodd, Opal)
Released on EP titled Billy Fury and The Gamblers in 1965. Another underplayed classic from Billys catalogue. A perfect rendition with great vocals, with each song you get a new tone of Andy vocal range. Great track that I wish went on for about five minutes.
14, Last Night was Made for Love (Fielding)
Andy breezes through another one of Billys big production numbers with its tango style rhythm. Once again capturing that fury growl at the beginning of certain lyrics and the fury tremor at the end. Another great cover version.
15, I’m lost without you (Barberis, Randazzo)
One of the trickiest ballads to sing from the billy song list, if the feeling and emotion isn’t there then the track fails. I am happy to say that this is not the case on this version from Andy. Its raw, its emotional and most of all vocally stunning, he drifts away from the tribute and falls into his own emotion, backing track is superb with vocals and harmonies before coming to a dead stop. Brilliant.
16, Running Around (Shaw, Maresca)
The flip side to “because of love” which we heard earlier, such a short up-tempo ballad with the usual break-up lyrics, again this temp really does suit Andy voice. Really enjoyed this rarer B-side track from Andy.
17, Your Having the Last Dance With Me.
First heard on billy’s Halfway to paradise album from 1961.a carry on from the famous “save the last dance for me” from the great “Drifters” in 1960. This is the strongest vocal from Andy. His voice strong and powerful, keeps with the track from start to finish. Defiantly a floor filler and potential single release.
18, I Love How You Love Me.(Mann -Kolber)
Andy carries on with his great vocal talent. Keeping it close to the original of Billy. 2minutes of pure class and enjoyment.
19, You Don’t Know (Wilberforce)
Track four from the mighty “Sound of Fury” practically the first British smoochy song of the rock n roll era, the sweeping sound of the brush drumming and piano added to andys voice just make this a excellent cover. The spoken words are so tender and soft, big round of applause.
20, Wonderous Place. (Lewis-Giant)
Defiantly a track worthy of closing a Billy Tribute Album. Most will remember the original, but for me it was that advert around the year,2000. And Andy gives you nothing less than a great rendition of this track. great album and enjoyed every track.
Summery,
I have heard many artist cover Billy tracks some good some not so, But I have never heard so much emotion, respect and feeling go into a recording the legands songs, every song carries the above. The production, the mixing the building of this album is nothing less than brilliant. Every track enjoyed and some I played up to three or four time. Well done Mr Kennet.
Recommendation
Certainly, you will not be disappointed with this tribute from a very fine artist.
Bio
My Career started in 1992 and quickly established me as a sort after Rock 'n' Roll and Elvis singer. My set lists cover songs from the 50's and early 60's Stars such as Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Billy Fury, Cliff Richard and many more.
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