Peter Gabriel Byrne is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, based on the Island of Sark. Born in Manchester, moving to Dublin as a young child, and then back to England in adulthood, Byrne has soaked up various musical influences along the way and emerges here with a most enjoyable debut album. Gentle Land is a fitting platform for Byrne's effortless singing and playing style, that reveals him to be a deft writer with a soothing and appealing delivery. Byrne has composed a most tender and beguiling ballad with "Calling All Angels." His lightly picked guitar is perfectly unobtrusive, and his mellow, sensitive voice soars to great and beautiful heights, in a similar fashion to The Blue Nile's Paul Buchanan. "Mend my heart, sooth my soul, ease my mind" Byrne urges the listener, in an absolutely exquisite song that does all of these. Calling all angels -- with songs as exquisite as this, they're sure to be listening. The title track is full of longing for the gentle land that gives the song its title. "Take my hand, lead me to a gentle land, take me to a restful place" Once again Byrne's aching vocal delivery transports you straight there -- to this gentle land -- it could be anywhere you want it to be! The album has undeniably catchy pop leanings, whilst simultaneously maintaining an organic feel, with lyrics rooted deep in the personal emotions of the writer yet immediately accessible to the listener. Gentle Land has it all -- heartfelt vocal performances, enchanting melodies and thoughtful, reflective lyrics. A wider audience surely beckons for this talented chap! Written by: Mike Wilson for Folking .com
