Ewan McLennan

But the Yorkshire-based Scotsman has some way to go before he can be considered anything more than that.

The Last Bird To Sing is a collection of 11 numbers, ranging from some bog-standard Irish and Scottish ballads and reels to a rather ill-judged instrumental Reeling And Staggering which rhythmically goes awry after a promising start.

McLennan has got a pleasant enough voice and he obviously identifies with the folk tradition.

But too much of this is pedestrian, down-the-middle interpretation, with arrangements for guitar and fiddle double bass which though competent are not often inspired.

The exception is the track Joe Glenton. On it McLennan's sense of outrage at the treatment of the war-resister rings absolutely true and there's a vocal attack and engagement lacking elsewhere on the album.