Regarded as something of a maverick figure on the Irish songwriting scene, Martin A Egan (also a visual artist of note) has, over the years, written or collaborated with Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Keith Donald, Peter O’Toole (Hothouse Flowers) and the late Jimmy Faulkner, among others. Most of the aforementioned luminaries join him on this collection of songs recorded between 1992 and 1997, which make up his long awaited debut album. Working mainly in the folk-rock idiom with hints of traditional and country, Egan’s strong point is his poetic approach to lyrics and his ability to paint vivid pictures. If his voice is something of an acquired taste, his way with a melody is assured and more often than not he hits the mark.
The songs range from the full band up-tempo opener, ‘Big Things Can Happen’ and the mid-tempo ballad ‘Every Punch Needs A Kiss’ (“Every tree needs its root/ Every child needs the truth”), to the title track, a gentle, pastoral folk song. A rollicking, raggle-taggle vibe permeates ‘Touch’, while more ethereal traditional strains inform ‘This Time Round’, Despite the title, ‘Nearly Got Glassed’ is a mellow, jazzy number with sublime instrumental performances, especially Keith Donald’s soaring saxophone solo, while the lyrics showcase Egan’s pacifist world-view and his ability to see the bright side in the darkest of circumstances: “Each day I fall in love, with a smile or a thought or an action.”
Worth hearing.