Seamus has resisted the common habit of most singers, who cover well known songs in a blatant attempt to ‘sell’ CDs.

At first glance I didn’t recognize any of the titles, and thought they might be originals, but on closer inspection I found that many were ‘lesser known’ Canadian songs.

The title ‘From Newfoundland To Nashville’, was a big clue. A song which, by the way, happens to be one of my favourites on the album.

All credit to Seamus for taking the risk.  Almost as big a risk as doing all originals. I hope it pays of.

Seamus has a likeable quality in his voice, and the musicians and production are excellent.

Apart from ‘Newfoundland’, other tracks I really enjoyed were the opener.  You can’t really go wrong with a title like ‘Two Timing To A Two Step’, ‘An Old Country Song’, ‘She Never Gave Her Reason Why’ and ‘The Curtain In The Window’.

The song listed as ‘Gold And Silver’ is an excellent closing track, but when it was written and recorded by Hank Williams, it bore the title ‘House Of Gold’.

This album could be very successful, especially here in Ireland.

It won’t attract the younger, ‘new’ country fans, in the way that Mike Denver and Warren Smyth’s latest CDs will, but the are thousands of people ‘out there’ who love ‘pure’ country.    Dare I say Irish country?     And they will love it.

So if you like your country served up with plenty of Steel Guitar and Fiddle, grab this very good Seamus Delaney album.   You won’t regret it.

Davy Kennedy

SEAMUS DELANEY – Track listing