Only a fan or a fool would attempt an album of covers by one of contemporary music's greatest songwriters, and Brian Kennedy is no fool. There may have been times over the past 20 years when we described Kennedy as other things (this critic thinks he swapped a fine early career for something unashamedly middle of the road, but perhaps that's just my problem). So the blood ran cold on hearing he was about to release a tribute album to Joni Mitchell. It won't freeze just yet, though – Kennedy acquits himself and his treatment (which balances respect with homage) of 10 Mitchell songs very well. He clearly knows his subject, getting nuance and intonation just right, and it's interesting to note that, with a few exceptions (River, Free Man in Paris) he steers clear of the obvious. Would that Kennedy could do this all of the time. briankennedy.co.uk
Download: Night Ride Home, Michael from Mountains, Amelia