Inspired by the likes of Dylan and Knopfler, Adrian Nation is what might, many years ago, have been described as a singer songwriter 'troubadour'.

His debut Sowing Seeds (2003) met with critical acclaim, and for this follow up he's not rested on his laurels, recruiting a veritable hotpot of talent - Chris West (Richard Ashcroft's Keys To The World) produces, and the players include Gerry Conway (Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Fairport Convention) on drums, Brad Lang (Robbie Williams, Elkie Brookes, Barbara Dickson) on bass, and Nashville session man Colin Linden on guitar. And if you're going to have Uillean pipes, then there's only one gun slinger in town - the inevitable Troy Donockley.

Which all adds up to one hell of a cast list. But the centre point is the man himself, his songs, his guitar and his vocals. And while his soft warm vocal style is nothing like Cat Stevens or James Taylor, his song writing style harks back to that early 1970's generation of singer songwriters.

As a result Fall or Fly isn't going to set any pulses racing and is aimed fairly and squarely at the folk circuit. It's also an album that worms deeper under your skin with every listen. Easy on the ear, it should have Whispering Bob salivating superlatives. So if 'old school' singer song writers are your bag, look no further.

***

Review by Pete Whalley