Limerick-born singer/songwriter/pianist Dawn Kenny certainly has an interesting pedigree. In the recent past she’s worked with ex-Fatima Mansions mainman Cathal Coughlan, performing on his acclaimed Black River Falls album. She has also played keyboards with left-field practitioners Nine Wassies From Bainne and served as vocalist/pianist with Dublin outfit Neverest. Rumour even has it that she once gave piano lessons to Bono!

With a soft, velveteen voice and a style reminiscent of 1970’s West Coast singers like Karla Bonoff and Valerie Carter, Kenny’s solo debut consists mainly of plaintive ballads such as ‘Playing On My Mind’, ‘Out Of Sight’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna See You Cry’. Well crafted songs, they also underline Kenny’s penchant for unexpected melodic twists and turns. A light rhythm section is added to ‘Sun Doesn’t Shine’ and ‘I Think I’ll Stay At Home Tonight’, the latter a poignant and genuinely heartfelt elegy to a lost love.

This is a fine debut, which should make waves for a promising new talent.