I HAVE to say that I have always loved Christie Hennessy’s material. Perhaps more than any songwriter working today, his stuff is the real deal, with no attempt at artifice or concealment. But that is not to say that his songs are not insightful, for he deals with a wide range of issues in his material, from loneliness to mental illness, and always with a sensitive hand.

As the title might suggest, this album is something of a watershed for Christie, questioning and affirming by turn, embarking on a voyage of self-discovery and revelation. The album’s opening track ‘On The Road Again’ touches on the power of music to reach out to those alone in radioland – a sort of Play Misty For Me in under three minutes. Elsewhere, ‘Please Don’t Go Tonight’ is a plea for a lover to stay, if only for comfort, with some truly beautiful string passages underscoring the simplicity of the lyrics.

Odd characters percolate Hennessy’s work – those who live on the margins of society, cast out by people or circumstance, and the lady in ‘She Sits Behind The Wall’, an Eleanor Rigbyesque creation, has shut out the world, or perhaps the converse. One way or another, there’s no way she fits into the scheme of things, but, hey, who’s to say that she’s that far out of the loop?

I’ve lived with this album for nigh on a week now, and I have to say that ‘I Will’ – not The Beatles’ number, by the way – is one of the five best love songs I’ve ever heard. From the guitar intro right to the end, this is as close to perfection as it gets.

Kerry’s first citizen has done it again. An album, that, like good wine, takes time to savour, but lingers for a long time thereafter on the tastebuds. Lovely.