Sean Keane comes from an illustrious musical background in County Galway in the west of Ireland. His aunts were well-known traditional singers and his sister Dolores achieved worldwide fame. Sean has toured with many groups since a young age and forged a brilliant solo career with his brilliant choices of songs to sing in his very distinctive style. He has recorded the works of just about every major artist in the folk and country music traditions.

This latest album he calls Gratitude to express how grateful he feels for the music that he has listened to and performed for the last half century.

The CD contains his usual eclectic mix of tracks. Some will be familiar, and these he will bring to you with a new arrangement. Others will be new songs collected in his travels, while still more come from the pen of his manager, Johnny B. Broderick.

While more used to touring and performing with his trusty backing musicians, on this occasion he is joined by the RTE Concert Orchestra. He gives the listener that combination of lush with sincerity.

Of course, he never neglects the tradition and opens the album with a wonderful rendition of "Moorlough Shore."

Many people will recall his rendition of the modern classic "Isle of Hope." He returns to the pen of Brendan Graham again here for another potentially classic offering, "You Take Me There." Another track that will no doubt eventually become a classic and be recorded by others is "Angel," a beautiful ballad well suited to any occasion.

Another classic from the tradition on offer is "Shenandoah." This is probably the best known song on the album, and no doubt you will have heard a multitude of versions. Before saying "heard it before," give this one a close listen. Sean Keane's clear diction actually allows us hear the lyrics and sentiments oh so clearly.

A new song on the album that deserves a close listen is "Nature's Little Symphony." This is yet another song that should be launched out there to a bigger audience.

He closes this magnificent CD with a song more associated with its composer, Mark Knopfler, called "Piper to the End." Once again Keane takes it to his heart and makes it his own.

This album of a dozen tracks is an ideal introduction to the style and brilliance of Sean Keane but also to a wealth of writing talent that might otherwise be overlooked.

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