The man with the sweetest voice in pop steps out from behind the lumbering shadow of Van Morrison to perform his own shows in Vicar St (tomorrow to next Wednesday). Not that Brian Kennedy (right) hasn't always had a solo career; he has already made his mark with his albums, The Great War Of Words and A Better Man, and with Sweetmouth, his collaboration with Fairground Attraction's Mark Nevin. Kennedy's return to solo work should bring him big rewards this time: he has signed to Sony Music, and he has chosen These Days, a duet with Ronan Keating, as the lead-off song from his forthcoming album, Now That I Know What I Want. The Ronan factor should easily send Kennedy's single soaring into the Irish No 1 spot, and Brian's dulcet tones may soon be drowned out by the screaming of devoted teenage fans. However, the single is not due for release in the UK just yet, so don't bother rushing home to catch Top of the Pops. Last night, Kennedy and Keating performed the song on Kenny Li- sorry, The Late Late Show, but don't expect the busy Boyzone lad to make a surprise guest appearance at Vicar St.
