Peter Nardini reminds me of that coterie of singer-songwriters who are the lifeblood of music. He is one of those who writes songs of time, tide and place. He awakens the listener to the world around him and reminds us of the wonders that are in the ordinary.

This is particularly true on the lovely laidback track called "Sunny Day." There is a Dylanesque sound to his voice, although rooted in the Scottish land rather than the Bronx. He even includes the lonesome harmonica. His song "Heaven's Doorstep" is another great track with the occasional homage to a certain song about another part of heaven. "Handsome Man" has a resonance of Shane McGowan, but not as raucous.

Nardini's songs of the urban landscape are epitomized in the wonderful "Uncle Joe & the Angels." Here we get references to items and actions that are commonplace in all our lives, but with a nice tune and delivery.

The angels continue on "Plastic Angels," another excellent song looking at Christmas from another angle. Here is the sad reality for all too many people. He brings us the loneliness and the commercialisation of Christmas to great effect. This look at our rather bleak world continues on the "romantic" song "Dark & Deep."

This collection of songs on the modern world and modern life are worth seeking out, no matter how hard it may be. There are very distinct echoes of Ralph McTell, in particular his classic "Streets of London."

These could be the folk songs that will remind people in 2050 of what the world was like at the turn of the century.

Still, it would have been nice to have the lyrics on the insert.

[ visit Peter Nardini's website ]