大象传媒

In the past few months we've seen Foy backed onto a tiny stage on his own and we've witnessed him at the Waterfront Hall with the Ulster Orchestra, billowing and beloved. He's been lauded in New York and rudely ignored at the Meter House, Belfast. The circumstances change widely but wherever you stick the man, he will respond with good humour, quality guitar playing and that swirling, signature voice.

His debut album has been a long time coming but happily, it features the modern classics that are 'Indiscriminate Act Of Kindness' plus 'Gabriel And The Vagabond'. In both cases, the keynote is compassion - showing up when it's least expected. In Foy's world, the human heart is to be trusted. He tries to convince us that good will be the champion, and in many cases, he carries the argument.

Foy doesn't follow a straight line when he can meander, when those vocal lines can be fully exercised. In this respect, he reminds you of John Martyn, one of the great elaborators and extemporisers. The journey and the destination are of equal value.

'Elshaneed' is another one of those expansive gestures, full of joy and support. He's 听lilting a troubadour, dipping into his reserve of gospel music and not unlike Van Morrison in his bejewelled '70s period. 听

Too much of this might lessen the impact, so it's nice to hear the urgency of 'Be With Me', with its echoes of Ben Harper. And while most of the tunes are Foy originals, 'First Of July' has been delivered by Jules Maxwell and Ken Haddock. It's a pithy piece, and again, it adds an extra dimension.

Long-time fans will argue that 'Songbird' should have made the cut while newcomers may feel that some tracks could have been more tightly edited. But as a whole, 'Hope' is quite exceptional.

Stuart Bailie