Irish Songwriters Vol. 1

That we have a very strong core of songwriters who have not yet made it to a high level of prominence is an accepted fact; it is also true that there are those who with a little encouragement, discipline and luck, would

make it to a higher level. This CD, mixed bag though it is, is ample proof that there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

Among those who have a real chance of making a difference are the quaintly named Betty Spry from Cork, whose music is awash with retro folk influences, but which is nevertheless possessed of a mind of its own; Mark Dignam, who already has quite a track record; and Urban Myth, whom I would love to see live.

On the debit side, there are amateurish tuning problems which could have been easily avoided, and a couple of songs that wear their influences too obviously.

But, if it is the motherlode that you seek, this truly isn't too far from the centre scene. As the leader of The Staines Massive might say "Check it".