Although you'll still find me on many an occasion heads down, arse up, rattling out four hours of Irish jigs and reels in a good bar in the company of friends, this album is about me on my lonesome. Thousands of years ago, thanks to an enlightened teacher at Sixth Form College in Middlesbrough, I was lucky enough to be made aware of the Irish band Planxty, who had just released their 'black' LP. It was a genuine revelation - no bass & drums or lead guitar, but still full of rhythm and melody, as if from another world. As a teenager in the Glam Rock era it amazed me that these alien beings had the commitment and talent to show such virtuosity without, it seemed (!), any pretensions to chart success. It began a lifelong obsession with Irish traditional music, and though the years have broadened my musical taste it's still at the root of everything I do. What I have learned over time, though, is that it's not good to become too fond of chasing virtuosity for its own sake, although I've been lucky enough to play with many amazing musicians and with some cracking bands - Vin Garbutt, The O'Boyle Band, Martin Matthews, Paul Martin, SteamRadio, The Tabolton Ceilidh Band, Cuig, Maximum Pastry... Through many adventures with all sorts of stringy things and a succession of weird and not-so-wonderful open tunings I considered myself, for many years, to be an accompanist to Irish music to the exclusion of almost everything else. It was a pretty safe little space to be in. However, in the last few years I've let down my guard and begun writing and singing songs again, even resurrecting some half remembered pieces from the dim and dusty past and giving them a treatment. I find it refreshing (if demanding) to play solo these days, and I have to thank several people around me who have cajoled me into it. They know who they are. I hope you enjoy my songs.