Kensington Hillbillys

The notable presence of local twang scene ringers Burke Carroll, Chris Quinn, James Gray and Clive MacNutt on the Kensington Hillbillys' new Bones In The Backyard disc may lead some to wonder if Steve Ketchen and crew are straying from their freewheeling approach to roots country. They've gotten tighter, maybe, but not slicker. Signing up for string-bending duty with these Hillbillys seems to bring out the hayseed in everyone. On Bones In The Backyard -- piled high with solid originals -- the skilled support adds a little zip while maintaining the loose rockin' charm of their beer-parlour frolics. It'll go down well with whatever you're drinking.

Four years is a long time between releases, but Bones in the Backyard by Toronto's Kensington Hillbillys is well worth the wait. Eleven originals in the tradition of the honky tonk music of Hank Williams and Merle Haggard and a fantastic cover of the Clash's Straight to Hell. Led by vocalist Steve Ketchen, the seven-piece Hillbillys provide a whole variety of country textures with pedal steel, mandolin, fiddle and banjo. Highlights include the knees-up instrumental TKX138 and the weeper Memories of You. Great songwriting and musicianship make this just the thing for your next jamboree.

NOW Magazine

London Free Press




		NOW Magazine September 15, 2005, by Tim Perlich The notable presence of local twang scene ringers Burke Carroll, Chris Quinn, James Gray and Clive MacNutt on the Kensington Hillbillys' new Bones In The Backyard disc may lead some to wonder if Steve Ketchen and crew are straying from their freewheeling approach to roots country. They've gotten tighter, maybe, but not slicker. Signing up for string-bending duty with these Hillbillys seems to bring out the hayseed in everyone. On Bones In The Backyard -- piled high with solid originals -- the skilled support adds a little zip while maintaining the loose rockin' charm of their beer-parlour frolics. It'll go down well with whatever you're drinking. London Free Press September 24, 2005, by Dave Clarke Four years is a long time between releases, but Bones in the Backyard by Toronto's Kensington Hillbillys is well worth the wait. Eleven originals in the tradition of the honky tonk music of Hank Williams and Merle Haggard and a fantastic cover of the Clash's Straight to Hell. Led by vocalist Steve Ketchen, the seven-piece Hillbillys provide a whole variety of country textures with pedal steel, mandolin, fiddle and banjo. Highlights include the knees-up instrumental TKX138 and the weeper Memories of You. Great songwriting and musicianship make this just the thing for your next jamboree.