Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Kansas-based instrumentalist and cancer survivor Darrell North is best known for providing made to measure meditational music to act as a healing aid for those facing major illnesses. With this release, North turns his hand to providing material "for celebrating cowboy and western events" in what marks something of a change of direction. Several aspects of this release hint at irony - a couple of po-faced shotgun wielding locals on the front cover and song titles like "Amerimex With Class" and "Dudes". But, in reality, the content within fails to inspire. Of the 13 keyboard-led instrumentals, the majority are in the same bossanova vein which results in a lack of distinction between tracks. Despite North's efforts to provide appropriate song titles ("Wonderful West", "Partners" and "Gunfighter" to name but a few), the tunes featured here are of a fairly generic nature that hint towards the cowboy theme in name alone. North references his Christian faith in the album's final track "Personal Peace". But I would suggest his material is more suited to the sterling work he does with cancer hospices, patients and families rather than gospel music listeners.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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