Reviewed by Paul Loader

There is something about this, Gentry Morris' album third album, that takes hold of you and will not let you go. Born in South Georgia in the USA, Gentry moved to Bangor, Northern Ireland, in his mid 20s having toured the States for several years, including a stint in Nashville, and now calls Ireland home. He picked up the guitar as a child when he was nearly blinded in an accident and was bed ridden for several months and needed something to occupy him. He never put the guitar down again and is really making waves in the growing acoustic roots market that is taking the UK by storm. With shades of Nashville over the whole album the over sound falls somewhere between Mumford and Sons, Iain Morrison with maybe just a pinch of New Yorker Ellis Paul thrown in. To my mind 'Awake O Sleeper' is a beautifully self produced album that uses acoustic instrumentation to the full leaving you with a vibrant sound that blends beautifully with Gentry's vocals. The whole album holds much of Gentry's Nashville roots without becoming traditional country. It's difficult to single out the best tracks as all 11 stand up alone are excellent in their own right. "Sweet Anne Marie" has a quirkiness that has a charm of its own; "Lie" betrays Gentry's American roots and at times could almost have been influenced by The Eagles without losing his own unique sound; "Old Josef" is a must for anybody that enjoys the off-the-wall style of Paolo Natini, Frank Turner or even Muse; "Vapour" really presents Gentry as being a leading member of the new wave of British roots acoustic scene and "Fools Gold" is just simply great. Gentry clearly is a gifted singer and writer as well as performer and producer and if this man is not shoulder to shoulder with his peers at the leading festivals and beyond next summer there is no justice.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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