Phil Vassar: Prayer Of The Common Man (Hump Head/Wrasse Records)

IF you're a modern country music fan rather than a traditionalist then the new release by Phil Vassar is an album not to be missed.

His fourth album, after a gap of four years since Shaken Not Stirred, sees him not fully appreciated this side of the pond as yet.

Vassar was named by ASCAP as Country Songwriter Of The Year in 1999 after writing and co-writing hits for artists like Tim McGraw, Collin Raye, Alan Jackson and Jo Dee Messina.

His debut release produced five hit singles in the Billboard Country Singles Chart and Vassar also boasts two number ones. He and a friend opened an Italian restaurant in the Nashville suburbs and was part of the entertainment when Englebert Humperdink's son heard his music and sent a demo tape to his father.

Humperdink recorded one of the songs and soon afterwards Vassar landed his second publishing contract. His latest release features a great mix of crossover tracks beautifully performed with everything to suit the discerning ear. My favourite being The Wedding Song (Love Is A Beautiful Thing) which is heading towards the number one spot in The Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. In total it's a brilliant offering.