Jeff Kelly - Beneath the Stars, Above the River (2019)

It is time for Jeff Kelly’s first solo album in the post-live-Pajamas world, Beneath The Stars, Above The River. This is a series of songs written following his trips to Spain and Portugal, the music is simple, relaxed and beautiful. What could be more romantic?Jeff Kelly, Granada.

“I had a little black book and I’d write down song ideas as they presented themselves. The Douro River wind and rain, the women begging for more euros, Juliana of the one-man scanner station in Antequera, were all real. Drinking dark beer under cathedral bells in Lisbon, the romance of an evening on the Guadalquivir in Seville, it all happened. I was very inspired!”

Jeff KellyWith Beneath The Stars, Above The River Jeff reverts to his organic approach of recording that is evident in his solo releases from the 1990s, leaning heavily on acoustic guitar and accordion, rather than the electric guitar and keyboards of The Green Pajamas. “I did all of the percussion, sometimes just my wedding ring keeping time on the wood desk.” There are exceptions of course - the electric guitars of “Moon Over Granada” and “Señor, Señor” immediately recall The Green Pajamas.

Jeff’s intent with his newest solo album is to present various love songs that one might hear through the heatwaves of southern Spain or the downpours of Portugal in April.