There can’t be many ‘Irish country’ fans who don’t know that Shaun is the son of the well known Johnny Loughrey.  Or indeed, that Shaun sadly lost his father Johnny, and his mother Mary, to the dreaded disease, cancer, in 2005. 

Forgive me for digressing, but when I think of the money being wasted on pointless wars, which could be better spent trying to find a cure for this awful curse on mankind, my blood boils. 

However, back to this album. I had intended to try to give my opinion on it, purely as an album, by an artist, without reference to Shaun’s sad experience. But, because of the inclusion of the title track, ‘The Rock & The Pillar’, I found this impossible.

However, this sincere tribute to Johnny and Mary, really well written by Marty Pollock, is one of the strongest tracks on the album, and fully deserves it’s inclusion.

Emotionally, performing it, must have been difficult for Shaun.  But knowing that he succeeded in helping to create such a fitting tribute to his mum and dad, must give him some satisfaction. 

Leaving this track aside, the rest of the album is also excellent. Packed with ‘radio friendly’ songs, some more of which could be ‘taken off’ as singles.   

Apart from those already ‘used’, two songs by country veterans Johnny Russell and Webb Pierce should be considered, ‘I’m Staying’ and ‘If You Were Me and I Were You’. 

As an artist, leaving aside the ‘Johnny Loughrey’s son’ tag.  Shaun can stand on his own merit as a singer.   He is as good as almost any singer around, and better than most.   This, combined with top class management, in Kevin McCooey, excellent production by Jonathan Owens, and being on the strong K-Mac label, should ensure a bright future, for this album, and for Shaun himself. 

Shaun ends the CD, with the song, ’All My Cloudy Days Are Gone’.  I have a feeling they are.  Well done Shaun.   A great album. 

Davy Kennedy.