The Irish singer's solo debut opens with a perfectly conceived and executed cover of
Maria McKee's "A Good Heart" that deservedly shot to number one on the United Kingdom charts. You'd think the distinctive quavering voice was created to sing that one song. The former
Undertones frontman has a shot at songwriting with producer
David A. Stewart, but wisely borrows numbers by
Chrissie Hynde,
Benmont Tench, and the
Womack brothers. Veteran
Eurythmics producer and guitarist
Stewart and arranger
Michael Kamen provide a fitting R&B backdrop for the headliner, who would not reach these heights again. ~ Mark Allan