This Old Soul (Confessional) [music video from Kenn Rowell]

Kenn Rowell is a NYC singer-songwriter (front man for post-Ramones indie punk veterans, The Baghdaddios). This tune was written during the summer of 2010 and recorded by producer/songwriter Richard Shepherd in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), NY in the Fall of that year. There are three versions of this song: the first version is the upbeat or "single" version - which will appear on Rowell's upcoming solo release: "Instant Solo Album" which is due to bow, later this year. The 2nd version is a slower, ballad version. Both versions have great string accompaniment by the multi-talented Ms. Susan Mitchell. The single version also has banjo parts that were done by West Coast-based singer-songwriter and music producer David Snider. This version - the 3rd version - was done at producer Shepherd's urging. Dubbed the "Confessional" version, it features no other performer, just Kenn singing one octave lower, on nylon string acoustic guitar - done this way to accentuate the stark, isolated, world-weary feel of this particular take. As Rowell explains: "Rich wanted me to do more of a dramatic delivery on this tune - to really highlight the sadness and loneliness in the lyrics. To me it reminds me of those late-90s, early-2000s Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin collaborations - very reflective, man-at-the-end-of-his-life type musings. I felt like a real bluesman for the first time of my life - just letting the sadness hang out for all the world to see".

Originally not planned for public release, the Confessional mix for This Old Soul seemed a natural for a music video. Enter NYC-based filmmaker and video pro Wilhelm Scholz. A brilliant artist in both still photography and motion picture/video production, Scholz was taken with this version of the song and agreed to produce the music video for it. Shot in early March of 2011, this is the final edit. Even in earlier embryonic incarnations you could see Scholz's superb use of lighting, angles and effective editing to create a pathos pastiche which does more than justice for this thoughtful and emotive tune.

This final edit takes that same artistic vision to a whole new level.

For more info on Mr. Scholz, feel free to check out his handiwork at www.wilhelmscholz.com

For an MP3 for this song, contact Mr. Rowell at TheBaghdaddios@hotmail.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kenn
• Rowell;
• The
• Baghdaddios;
• Richard
• Shepherd;
• Wilhelm
• Scholz;
• Susan
• Mitchell;
• David
• Snider;
• This
• Old
• Soul;
• Confessional;
• Sad;
• Isolation;
• pathos;
• alternative;
• blues;
• world-weary;
• tired;
• indie;
• d.i.y.;
• NYC;
• Grand
• Central;
• Brooklyn;
• Williamsburg;
• Greenpoint;
• mid-town
• Manhattan;
• emotive;
• soundtrack;
• acoustic;
• unplugged

[HolidayPunk01]

Righteous without being self-righteous. Acoustic without being sappy. Congrats, Kenn. You've finally gotten that "punk ballad" you always wanted to write! Proud!

[Baghdaddio]

@HolidayPunk01 Well put. We agree. Thank you, homeboy!

[AngerManagement6969]

I have never been SO proud, to be a fan of this band! GREAT work by Kenn. Don't take this the wrong way: but this doesn't sound anything like any of your past work. And I LOVE that - but this, this is...something else!

[Baghdaddio]

@AngerManagement6969 Hell, we're speechless ourselves - thank you, Friend, for the uber-kind words!

[JoneseyMustDie]

Wow. All I've got to say is "Wow"!

[Baghdaddio]

@JoneseyMustDie Thanks. All we've got to say is "Thanks"! (Luv ya', man!)

[Baghdaddio]

@ReggieBender Sir Reg, as usual, I am in awe!

[ReggieBender]

Wow! The song and vid blow my mind! Timeless emotions expressed with poignant melody and insightful lyrics. Just may be my fav from this lad. (For those who want a short, quirky song from Kenn about mortality + told from prospective of the departed: check out "Noodle"--very groovy!

[Baghdaddio]

@lockedowng Thank you, my Friend. Comments like yours make my day!

[Baghdaddio]

@iamthemindfreakable I am flattered by your words. Thank you!