Artist: Gerard Smith
Album: Idylls Of The King Of The Road
Year produced: 2008

With a comforting voice and a skilled hand, Gerard Smith leads listeners through 13 tracks of music (there is a hidden one to look for) with a confident charge. He switches instruments effortlessly and serves up a multitude of interesting songs. (Don't miss track 4, "The Star of the County Down"--good stuff.) If you enjoy folk music with a Celtic twist, this album will please--and there is even a country and western vibe with songs such as "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town" rounding out the selection.

Smith has a varied background from which he draws, having played with bands such as The Bowzies and Bill Grogan's Goat, but you won't hear those sounds transplanted here--he's got some ideas of his own to share with listeners. There is a strong rock feel to some tracks on the album, while others are a bit more acoustic sounding. All in all, the blend works well, giving the CD a good range and showing off Smith's considerable skill. "Idylls Of The King Of The Road" is a surprising delight.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Don't just download. Support your favorite Celtic music groups. Buy Celtic music CDs.

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