Charlie Zahm is best known for his Celtic songs, but my favorite track on his latest album, Sing Me a Song of a Lad That is Gone, isn't one of them.

Call me sentimental, but Charlie's rendition of "The Impossible Dream," from "The Man of La Mancha," is gorgeous, inspirational and, let's be honest, a real ray of sunshine in a world where service to others has become outmoded and trite. La Mancha's Don Quixote is quaint in today's world, perhaps, but his message is quite stirring and Charlie gives it a powerful reading here.

Much of the music on this album serves to make you think -- or, perhaps more importantly, feel -- from the powerful "Ghosts of Culloden" to Ralph McTell's "Streets of London" (which reminds us that your life might not seem so bad when compared to the lives of others less fortunate), from the mournful "Gallipoli" to Dougie MacLean's homesick "Caledonia."

Charlie wears his patriotism on his sleeve with a pair of self-penned tracks that end the album. "They Call Me Ol' Glory" is a recitation on the importance of the flag, and "Memorial Day (We Remember You)" reminds us to keep those who gave their all in military service in our hearts.

Besides Charlie on vocals and guitar, the album features Chris Nole on piano, keyboards, accordions, synth, strings and bass, Joanie Madden on pennywhistles and flute, Steve Peavey on guitar, mandolin and dobro, Glen Duncan on fiddle and banjo, and Cheryl Prashker on percussion.

I own a varied collection of CDs by Charlie Zahm, and I still look forward to each new release. The man has a powerful voice and a big heart, and he shares it all in his music.