TALENT IS admirable and creativity is empowering, qualities which are evident on Derek Ryan’s new album The Simple Things.
From the opening upbeat lead single, ‘Hold On To Your Hat’, featuring Sharon Shannon, which provided his biggest chart hit to date, to the childhood memories invoked hearing his father singing at home on the closing track ‘Will Ye Go Oh Lassie Go’, Derek has affirmed his position as one of the leading lights in Irish country music in Ireland.
It is a crafted and compelling body of work, filled with a diverse spread of music which shows the range the Carlow man can undertake and deliver in another quality album; something his fans are used to at this stage. In showing up his power ballad range, Derek sings ‘Walking After Midnight’ and ‘Desperado’ with a tour de force.
The Simple Things is Ryan’s fifth studio album and never has he sounded more self-assured and in control of his artistry, which features five of his own original songs, including ‘Busking Balladeer’.
Derek Ryan’s The Simple Things is available at OMG@Zhivago.
