James Keelaghan is probably best known to many as the writer of the stunning 'Cold Missouri Waters', originally from 1997s 'A Recent Future', but brought into much wider recognition by the Kaplansky, Williams & Shindell venture 'Cry Cry Cry'.
'Home' is Keelaghan's sixth album, and like those before it's a classic North American singer/songwriter disc - well constructed, acoustic based songs with tales of 'real-life' experiences. He has a distinctively strong and solid voice, which adds weight and gravitas to the often poetic words.
There are a good variety of songs on the disc, from the beautifully simple 'Red-Winged Blackbird' and 'Sing my Heart Home', to the traditional 'Flower of Magherally', right through to the fanciful 'Sinatra and I'.
While this is acoustic based, there's a good amount of supporting musicians adding texture and colour to the songs, most notably some excellent fiddle in places.
Keelaghan is one of the best contemporary songwriters and storytellers around, he just does it all quietly and without much media fuss, but whether you've heard his material previously or not, 'Home' cements his reputation as one of the best around.

£13.49