Marc O’Reilly: Human Herdings

Marc O'Reilly isn't exactly a household name, despite a critically acclaimed debut album in 2011. Human Herdings will unlikely change that fact, but don't let the Waterford man's anonymity prevent you from investigating his music. Fans of John Martyn, Nick Drake and Bert Jansch will be enamoured by this nine-track collection, an exercise in brevity and intimacy that draws from a minimalist palette of mostly fingerpicked acoustic guitar. Lighthouse and Just So are beautifully affecting in their simplicity. Dashes of bluesy rock balance O'Reilly's muted vocal on You Never and The Wayward Shepherd , encompassing a full band stomp and a degree of improvisation to shake the metaphorical dust from the rafters. Crucially, O'Reilly is awareof the limitations of his set-up, ensuring that Human Herdings doesn't outstay its welcome by rambling on.
marcoreillymusic.com

Download: Lighthouse, You Never