Following his Eurovision adventures and novel writing successes, with Interpretations Brian Kennedy returns to what he does best – performing the kind of songs that bring out the best in his unique soulful croon. For his tenth album he has chosen an impressively eclectic selection, mainly taken from the pop and soul songbook, along with a couple of earlier classics. They include a dramatic take on ‘Night & Day’ as recorded by Sinatra, among others, and a gorgeous reading of ‘Answer Me, My Love’ made famous by Nat King Cole, but more recently done by Joni Mitchell – Kennedy's biggest influence.
The remainder run the gamut of recent and not so recent chart history from Clifford T. Ward’s gentle ballad ‘Gaye’ to U2’s ‘Stuck In A Moment’ – the latter successfully bringing a new dimension to Bono’s tribute to his late father.
Joe Cocker’s ‘You Are So Beautiful’ and Declan O’Rourke’s plaintive ‘Galileo’ (also released as a single) are both obvious choices for Kennedy’s blue-eyed soul chops and he works both well, but Gerry Rafferty’s ‘Get It Right Next Time’ is a braver choice and a nice reminder that there was far more to the former Steeler’s Wheel man’s armoury than the classic ‘Baker Street’. Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ seems tailormade for Kennedy and he delivers it to perfection, while a slowed down ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ works better in reality than might seem likely on paper. Arguably however the best moments here come via his take on Kris Kristofferson’s classic ballad ‘For The Good Times’ and Marianne Faithful’s waltz ‘Dreaming My Dreams’ – both showcasing the intensity and emotion of Kennedy’s singing style.
Lush orchestration – arranged by Fiachra Trench and performed by the Irish Film Orchestra Interpretations – provides the perfect setting for one of the finest voices this island has ever produced. Listen without prejudice.

Key track: 'For the good times'