Seven Years Light, Seven Years Dark

His bright, clear voice and pleasant 12 string lifted up my spirits on a dark night. The lyrics opened a broad poetic sky, while still speaking to my soul, and helping me connect with humanity. I recommended the album to my brother when I was halfway through "I'll meet you in Ireland."

The quality of lyrics, composition, and performance is consistent throughout the album. He is telling stories with such feeling that I am moved, while he still maintains excellence in performance. A slight pause, a change in intonation, a subtle difference in volume is all that he needs to focus the powerful emotions created by his lyrics and melodies. He ably intertwines Gaelic music, Alaska, love, life, and death within his folk sound, ably but reservedly inserting other instruments on top of his strong guitar playing. His choice of stories are engaging, become real in the telling, and will keep me coming back.

Kray Van Kirk has given us a gift -- songs that pull us in the first time we listen to them. His singing and guitar playing are outstanding, but it's his songwriting that really shines. For my money he is every bit as good as James Keelaghan, Dougie MacLean, Eric Bogle, Gordon Ligtfoot, and yes, even John Denver. His lyrics are fresh and clean, but with depth. He states on his website that he is writing some new songs; I can't wait. Thanks Kray.

This album was a great discovery for me. Some of the songs are very nice, but my favorite, and the most ambitious, is definitely "Give My Love To Sophie." Wonderful!

I wish Kray Van Kirk were in the New York area, I would love to attend a concert. His voice reminded me just a little of John Denver. The material, though, is quite different.

Sound quality of the album is good, not great. I got the Flac version of "Give My Love To Sophie" from Kirk's website, much better.

Andy