Austin Leahy: In The Town of The Foreigner

His day-job, believe it or not, is as vascular surgeon at Beaumont Hospital (as well as being Professor of Health Science and Management at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland). In his ‘other voice’, however, Dublin-based Austin Leahy writes songs of considerable distinction and regularly performs with several outfits.

For his debut album, the resourceful Leahy has enlisted a cast of renowned local players, including Wayne P. Sheehy, who contributes drums, guitars and keyboards (as well as producing, engineering and mixing), along with legendary bassist Trevor Hutchinson, guitarist Carl Carlton and violinist Cora Venus Lunny. Leahy’s songs are in the singer-songwriter vein and in the main focus on the vicissitudes of life and love. He has a deft way with words, and the best, including the resonant ‘Hear The Mermaids Sing’, ‘Martha’ and ‘Mind Of A Woman’ strike home with a sureness of touch. There’s a Van Morrison influence floating through his melodies, too, all sung in an easygoing, warm voice that recalls the thoughtful but still natural delivery of the great Roy Harper. It may not leap to the top of the iTunes charts, but this is fine, intelligent music that will appeal to fans of Jackson Browne, Dylan, John Prine and Mike Scott. Expect to hear it on John Creedon.

Key Track:‘Martha’