Belfast-bred singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy, the former frontman for Celtic rock-and-blues band Energy Orchard, has always kept one foot firmly entrenched in his Irish roots. But on his second solo release, Kennedy points his toes toward the American South, taking on 11 Hank Williams covers without compromising the unique sound--acoustic guitar, piano, and whiskey-soaked vocals--that made his solo debut, Domestic Blues, so special. Kennedy takes these songs out of the honky-tonk, providing classics like "Mansion on the Hill," "Cold Cold Heart," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" with a flippant playfulness. A haunting acoustic-and-harmonica version of "Angel of Death" caps off a collection that brings Hank Sr.'s melodies and lyrics back to life. The record serves as an introduction to new fans of Williams, while reminding the old ones what an exceptional songwriter he was. --Scott Holter