Enda Kenny folksinger songwriter Australia Biography

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	Dublin born songwriter, Enda Kenny has lived in Melbourne, Australia since 1987. Like the seanachies and yarn spinners before him, Enda’s songs describe stories of life, of humour, of nature and injustice. Enda’s gift as a performer is his ability to bring alive the individual experience in a way his audience intuitively relates to. Acclaimed as one of Australia’s best songwriters, Enda has produced six albums – Twelve Songs, Bakers Dozen, Six of One, Cloudlining, Here and There, and the recently released Pearler . All feature the masterful fiddle playing of long time collaborator Lindsay Martin. Live performances regularly feature Lindsay and Sandy Brady on bass, who joined them for the recording of Cloud Lining. His songs have been recorded by a growing list of local and international artists including Roy Bailey, Karen Lynne, Reel Time, Bram Taylor, Barrie Davis, Bob Eden and Markerr.

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	Pearler started in 1989 with the loan of a book, Forty Fathoms Deep by Ion Idress from my dear fried Robin Wade. With half a dozen songs, a few poems and a narrative, reciter Jim Smith and I drove to the old West Australian Folk Festival at Toodjay to bring the songs home. In 1992, with the assistance of the Australia Council, my ex-wife Melanie and myself drove aound Australia and spent a fortnight in divers’ quarters in Broome, courtesy of Paspaley Pearling. Whilst there I wrote The Continental and a few more sons and then, for some reason not even known to myself, the pearls went back into the drawer and didn’t emerge until I heard George Papavgeris sing Johnny at last year’s National Folk Festival in Canberra. With my interest sparked again by his wonderful song of the sponge divers off Salonika, and with permission to change a word, I wrote a few more. Red Dust is my lasting memory of the North West, Signature was written as a tribute to the Japanese divers, a thousand of whom lie at rest in Broome cemetery - from the rising sun to the setting sun.. Few songs have survived the pearling days in the English language. Ted Egan’s fine tribute Sayonara Nakamura is a notable exception written for the centenary of Broome in the 70’s. It was Ted who pointed out that the workers write the songs, not the bosses ! The working songs of the pearling can be found in pidgin, malay and in the many native tongues of the north and west of Australia. Many thanks are due to Melanie, Robin, Lindsay, Louisa, Ted, George and my partner Julie for pushing this boat out from shore in search of a fair breeze. Enjoy the songs !
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	This is an album I have travelled toward, not a straight journey, but, like the title, one that’s taken me Here and There through different worlds, moods and times. As always, I sing stories in my songs and I’m attracted to the songs of others that tell me a story. This collection includes two of my strongest early influences, Stan Rogers and Chris De Burgh as well as contemporary songwriters Alex Legg from Melbourne and Rod MacDonald whom I met at Port Fairy a few years back. I’ve been priveleged along the way to be accompanied by some fine friends and musicians, notably LINDSAY MARTIN who has added his fiddling eloquence to my music for over a dozen years. The warm bass of SANDY BRADY has joined us since Cloud Lining. Produced by Richard Pleasance at Elevated Plains, Hepburn Springs

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	Cloud Lining is the fourth album I’ve done with Lindsay and it began in September 1999 when we recorded some songs after a tour in the UK. Five new tracks were added in July/August this year. In between, I was as broke as a compound fracture. “A superb collection of songs” Sydney Morning Herald Produced at Hugh McDonald Studios, Kew, Melbourne.

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	Six of One is my cellar album. Some of these songs are old friends showing signs of bottle age, others are clearskins, but none have suffered for the lack of a lable. They are drawn from rich dark soil free of Celtic mist and should be enjoyed at room temperature. And remember, enjoy wine in moderation. Six original tracks and six of my favourites by other writers. Produced at Hugh McDonald Studios, Kew, Melbourne.

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	Baker’s Dozen is my second CD. Most of the songs were written over the past year as I’ve travelled around Australia, New Zealand and Britain. I have been singing professionally for two years and during that time many people have opened their hearts and their houses to my music. To all of you, a sincere thanks; it wouldn’t be possible without your support and encouragement. Includes Port Fairy Festival songwriting award winning “Rabin” Produced at Hugh McDonald Studios, Kew, Melbourne.

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	“the songs and stories of Australia - may there always be new ones” Debut CD recorded by ABC Radio in Melbourne

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