Blackthorn recording artist Kenny Klein

Kenny Klein is a champion fiddler, a guitarist, singer and all-around performer, a veteran of Renaissance Festivals, concert halls and smokey Country bars.

Well known for both serious songs and for his tongue-in-cheek, spry lyrics, Kenny performs such original songs as "Maria's Not A Catholic Anymore," "Goth Girl Blues," and his show ender "What Do You Do With An Old Dead Gerbil?". His stories of renaissance festival life and of the streets of New York are seriously funny.

Originally from New York City, Kenny has traveled throughout the U.S.A. and Europe, playing and collecting fiddle tunes and songs. He has played main stage shows and pub shows at Renaissance Festivals,including Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Scarborough Fair (Texas), Four Winds (Texas),Southern and Northern California; He has performed in legendary folk bars and venues including Folk City (NYC) and Speakeasy (NYC), Ramblin Conrad's (VA), and Marie Poll's (L.A.). He's played with country bands in Missouri, Celtic bands in Belgium, and he's won fiddling championships in New York and Kansas.

Email Kenny here

Visit Kenny's Myspace

To order KENNY KLEIN'S CDs use the Paypal buttons. To hear MP3s, click the highlighted song. You can also buy individual songs or entire CDs on iTunes.

As far as I know, the world's first CD of Pagan Bluegrass Gospel music!!! Pagan songs in a traditional Bluegrass style, featuring banjo, fiddle, dobro, mandolin, and of course vocals. Eleven songs, including Temple On The Stone, Let Me Sing, Diana's Moon, Maple Tree, High Ground.

My band Odd's Bodkin has been playing at renaissance faires and various festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ghosts In The Attic, Fair Eloise and the Tinkers, Rolling Sea. Twelve songs in all!! Also visit us at our Myspace.

My newest CD, Moons and Muses, is made up of songs previously released on three older CDs: Muses, Gold of the Autumn, and On The fourteenth of May. This CD includes The Whales, Keep Your legs Together Jenny, The Raggle Taggle Gypsies, Oh No John, Merry Up May Song and Appleby Fair.

Little Birds Of Desire contains mostly acoustic versions of new songs and re-done songs, including The Old Woman Was A Gypsy, Epona (acoustic version), Fair Eloise And The Tinkers, Crystali, Bedlam Boys, and contains perhaps more Gypsy style fiddle than any previous CD.

Fairy Queen features both new songs and re-done songs in a dark wave, electronic style. Songs include Dead Gerbil, Fairy Queen, Herne The Hunter, Rowan and Bracken, Black Widow (the Goth Girl song) and Maria's Not A Catholic Anymore.

First released in '95, High Grows The Barley reflected my renaissance festival repertoire. Includes Fairy Queen (with me singing the lead), High Grows the Barley, John Barleycorn (seeing a theme here?), and Herne the Hunter (an old acoustic version).

Reviews of Kenny's CDs and Shows:

“This album, like all of Kenny Klein's work, is a must for any music collection. From beginning to end, each song is filled with compelling imagery and the CD crosses through so many musical styles that it is sure to thrill and delight.”

http://www.modernbard.org/

“This is a “Dark Wave” style with more electric tone than some of Kenny’s other works. My first impression was that I wasn’t going to enjoy this disc. It wasn’t my style, or so I told myself. Then I listened to Kenny’s lyrics. And I discovered that whether he is producing a traditional ballad or something a bit (okay, a LOT) more off the wall, his music has the ability to evoke unexpected responses.

“I especially liked “Maria’s Not a Catholic Anymore.” Although short, it reminded me of a couple of other songs I have always enjoyed (Dar Williams’ “Christians and Pagans” and Jim Alan’s “Talking Wicca Blues”), both of which reflect reality. Then there is “Dead Gerbil Jam”…you have to hear this one.”

Mike Gleason, The Pagan Activist, review of Fairy Queen

“Pagan Gospel Bluegrass,” who’d have thought of that combination? Kenny Klein, of course. This latest offering from the talented mind of Kenny Klein is a one-of-a-kind disc, although I have hopes that this style may catch on and inspire further offerings.”

Mike Gleason, The Pagan Activist, review of Maple Tree

“It is hard to find a fiddler at faire who surpasses Kenny in his gypsy flavored fiddle playing. "Audra", the second song on the CD, is a perfect example. The feel of the music conjures images of varda wagons encircling a bonfire under a moonlit night.

"Another favorite (and one worth purchasing the album for) is "The Old Woman Was A Gypsy". The song is more contemporary in lyrical content, but it strikes directly to the heart of anyone who has sat beside a bonfire at faire, watching the smoke carry their dreams skywards.”

http://www.modernbard.org/ Review of Little Birds Of Desire

“Kenny Klein, the fiddler, is a sinfully talented musician, and he brings his many years of fiddling experience with him. To watch him work a fiddle is to realize that this instrument's reputation as the poor man's violin is ill earned.”

www.lasplash.com/

“I've always enjoyed your show. I went to my first fair three years ago, and my friend "volunteered" me to go on stage for 'Oh No, John'. I'm normally pretty shy, so I wouldn't have done it without her prompting, but I ended up having a lot of fun. It's still one of my favorite Faire memories. I've seen most of the shows there, and I honestly think yours is the most entertaining. Whenever I bring new friends with me, I take them to see your show, and they always enjoy it.”

Fan Review

A CD of original Pagan songs including Brothers Of The Forest, Sweeping Song, The Wind Blessing, and some recordings also on Barley Moon and Little Birds, compiled here for their Pagan or Mythic themes.

Kenny has recorded songs that are included on this series of CDs by various excellent pirate music artists and acts. Sales of the CDs in this series benefit a project that supports the musical arts in the rebuilt New Orleans public schools:

To see other CDs Kenny has recorded on, visit the STUDIO link.