For those not in the know, Don Williams is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 number one country hits.

His straightforward yet smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname: "Gentle Giant" of country music. Hence, the title to this brand new CD (and also DVD, sold separately) Don Williams In Ireland: The Gentle Giant In Concert. 1. Good Ole Boys Like Me 2. Some Broken Hearts Never Mend 3. Lay Down Beside Me 4. Back In My Younger Days 5. She Never Knew Me 6. Elise 7. How Did You Do It 8. From Now On 9. If Hollywood Don't Need You 10. Till the Rivers All Run Dry 11. It Must Be Love 12. I Believe In You 13. Imagine That 14. Tulsa Time 15. Amanda 16. You're My Best Friend 17. Lord I Hope This Day Is Good 18. I Recall a Gypsy Woman 19. Louisiana Saturday Night

This new Don Williams recording (which features 19 tracks here on CD, but just 16 on the CD, and has a different run order) was recorded live in Dublin and Belfast in 2014 and contains 19 tracks in total. A welcome addition to any live recording made by Williams, it admittedly doesn't match up to 1994's 'An evening with Don Williams,' but then again, that was over 20 years ago, of course. Here, today (well, 2014), Williams' vocals have aged, his tone, at times, not as smooth as once was, and combining that with the overall sound quality (which is a little muffled), sometimes listening to this recording you nod your head in acceptance to the aging process, for sure.

That all said, Don Williams In Ireland: The Gentle Giant In Concert - whether it be here on audio CD, or visually on the DVD - is still a joy to behold. Whether it be for your ears or eyes (or both re: the DVD), this live set still also flows nicely, and the overall listening experience is never far from thoroughly enjoyable.

Well worth picking up if you are a major fan, or an innocent bystander to his musical heritage, because, in truth, given that Williams recently announced his retirement from the entertainment industry after a five-decade career that included hits in both country and pop music, this is (most likely) the last finished product we ever get from Mr. Williams. So, that alone makes this CD (or the aforementioned DVD - or both) well worth picking up; now doesn't it! [Run Time @ 56:30].