Niall Toner has been flying the flag for bluegrass and country music in Ireland for over thirty years now both as a broadcaster/journalist and a tireless live performer. This superbly recorded album features a collection of songs he has written over the years, many in collaboration with top American writers.
The title track – written with Nashville picker Keith Sewell, who plays with the Dixie Chicks among others – has already been recorded by ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings. With its irresistible mid-tempo swing-groove it makes a strong case for Toner’s hitherto unheralded writing talents.
He shares vocal duties with band member Clem O’Brien who shines on traditional country tunes such as ‘The Blues Overtook Me’, ‘Comin’ Up The Road’ and ‘Play The Hand You’re Dealt’. Toner tells us in the informative sleeve-notes that the oldest piece here, the instrumental ‘Terenure Stomp’, was performed on the Late Late Show as far back as 1973. He also reveals that ‘Fallen Angel’, a gorgeous country-ballad, was originally written with Johnny Cash in mind. Alas the Man In Black never got to record it but another gem, ‘Lonely Souls And Broken Hearts’, a waltz-time ballad (written at an IMRO songwriting seminar) would sit comfortably on any Willie Nelson album. Impressive.