Frazer has a philosophical outlook that stems from his upbringing in the wild Highlands of Scotland where his early years in a one room school with one teacher, and a dozen or so school mates, developed a strong sense of community.
Frazer’s earliest memories are of his mother singing to him, and the sound of Ceilidh’s permeating the local community on a regular basis.
In the Highlands inspiration presented itself with every soaring view from misty mountain tops, or castle ruins echoing to ancient battles. Fairburn Castle was one of Frazer’s favourite childhood playgrounds, and later inspiration for the haunting song “Damn you all”.
Frazer’s music could be best described as acoustic singer songwriter with a blend of world rhythms.
Yesterday's gone the long awaited Debut album for many of his fans from Singer & Songwriter Frazer Kennedy - two years in the making, Frazer attributes his easy going nature to his upbringing he has his own unique outlook on life stemming from his childhood in the wild Scottish - Highlands. His early years walking the three miles everyday to the one room school with twelve class mates and one teacher. A jar of sweets and the stick being incentive enough to keep him on the right side of ignorance. One of frazer's earliest memories is of his mother singing to him and the sound of Ceilidhs permeating the local community on a regular basis. The Highlands inspired his music, with misty views from the mountain peaks, and many ruined castles echoing to ancient battles which inspired the haunting song "Damn you all" one of his more epic sounding tracks.
Frazer has been writing and performing music for over 25 years he started playing Tenor Sax at secondary school with his mates in a swing / ska Band. Broadening horizons, brought him down south to London where he played sax in a Reggae Band, sang in a rock band, and also busking down the tube. - for ever entertaining with his own unique Highland spirit. One day someone thrust a six string acoustic guitar in to his hands. It was love at first strum. From then on it was Have Guitar Will Travel. His first adventure abroad - guitar in hand - strumming the sounds on the shore of the dead sea and in the city nightlife of Israel, where he composed the Ballad "Travelling Israel." A leap across the Atlantic to Canada took Frazer to the mountains that reminded him off home with the exception that they don't have any Big Bears in Scotland. By the time the cold Canadian winter set in, Frazer found great warmth and friendship at the gigs he played on his travels - from busking in bars to earn a drink, memorably Sorrentino's Bar - famous watering hole for such notables as Joe Walsh (of the Eagles) and the band Lindisfarne. He performed at many larger venues including Alberta's Capitol Raceway, and the Edmonton Folk Festival.
Returning to London - Frazer's folk music evolved in to his own style acoustic Singer Songwriter with a blend of world fusion rhythms, the Roots are in Scotland with Branches reaching everywhere. Frazer's big style, coupled with scores of inspired song's and a desire to perform them led him to the formation of his Band with appearances in noted concert halls such as: The Mean Fiddler, The Borderline, Pizza on the Park, and several open air festivals including the Americana International main stage. The broad appeal. of Frazer's muisc has led to invitations to perform live on a variety of Radio Stations. After fifteen years of writing and performing his own material, Frazer is enjoying musical collaboration's with other Artists.
Yesterday's gone is the flagship single on his debut album, of the same title.
Joyously this track has reached #One in the Tour dates Independent Unsigned Music Chart!
Thank you.
Frazer gets musical Identification
Music Maker Review
Frazer Kennedy is a product of the west Highlands of Scotland and his excellent songs reflect and upbringing peppered by ceilidhs and folk songs sung to him by his musical mother. He has a rich baritone voice that sits ideally with the lilting, often haunting songs he writes, all of which reflect a rugged childhood spent amid misty mountains and ruined castles.
I detect echoes of Eric Bogle, Tom Paxton and Tom Russell in his singing and writing and love the way he enrichens simple lyrical structures with trumpet, cello, banjo, harmonica, electric guitar, pedal-steel, piano, fiddle and drums – but not to the detriment of the material. I do have a favourite song, ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ because I happen to adore the banjo, but everything here is perfectly placed and paced and the trumpet on the title track ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ adds the right measure of melancholy to an already excellent composition.
It is clear from the booklet credits that Frazer must have an appreciative following in Alberta, Canada, but that shouldn’t be surprising when one considers that Canada’s traditional music is rooted in Scotland’s heritage.
Although I am loathe to use the word ‘commercial’ here, the strongest song in terms of radio acceptability might be ‘Alice’ but the sheer originality of ‘Yet-A-Hey’, with its native-American chanting and tom-toms, ought to attract wide attention from programmers. All in all an excellent collection of eleven songs from a master-craftsman.
Yesterday's gone Available to download @ I Tunes / Frazer Kennedy
www.frazerk.com
Bryan Chalker