Rodney Crowell isn't a name I'm particularly familiar with. Of course, that's probably because country music, on the whole, has never really appealed to me. There are always exceptions though, because at the end of the day every release, regardless of genre, has the potential to connect.

This album was apparently pretty much recorded around 20 years ago before being left to mature like a fine wine. As Rodney himself says, "I'm glad I put it on the shelf, because now is the time for it. It may not be the time for it for the rest of the world, but it's time for it for me."

I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much when I pressed play, but there was something about this record that captivated me almost immediately. The album opens with "I Won't Lie". I'm not sure whether this was one of the later recordings, but it immediately reminded me of Johnny Cash's final recordings. There's a rawness to Rodney's voice, and the song slowly works its way under your skin, helped by the simple but wonderfully effective musical accompaniment.

The next track, "Are You One of Us?", has a more radio-friendly sound, giving me Tom Cochrane vibes. Once again though, it's the vocals that sell the song, conveying a life well lived, particularly through the spoken word fragments. It's very much a song of two halves, but they come together seamlessly.

If I'm honest, it was "If I Could Speak to Leonard" that first caught my eye when I saw the track listing, and it was actually the first song I listened to. I correctly guessed it was about Leonard Cohen, of whom I'm a huge fan. I'm guessing this was recorded later, as Leonard passed away in 2016 and the song feels very much like a lament. If not, then it's perhaps the ultimate fan song, arriving sadly a little too late.

"Bring It on Home to Memphis" is a much looser, upbeat affair with some lovely harmonies. For a brief moment I caught a flash of the Travelling Wilburys, although it's only fleeting. It's a good song, but for whatever reason it didn't quite click with me, even though I can completely appreciate why it will for others.

I felt much the same about "The Ballad of Artemis and Orion". Perhaps it's simply closer to what I instinctively expect from a country record. Musically it's excellent, the vocals are superb, and the song unfolds beautifully, but for me it just lacks that elusive final ingredient.

Things slow down a couple of notches with "Sing Your Heart Out". I love the string arrangement that opens the song. It's a beautiful ballad and one of the album's most affecting moments. It's also a little more polished than much of what precedes it, giving the record another texture and dimension. Once again, the musical accompaniment is wonderful, with a special mention going to the cello. I think it's one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Another change of pace comes with "Whatcha Gonna Do Now #2", which opens with a lengthy burst of rapid-fire lyrics before settling into the repeated refrain of "Whatcha Gonna Do Now". At just over two minutes, it's over almost before you know it. It's not a standout track, but there's an undeniable charm to it.

As for song titles, I'd be hard-pressed to think of anything that rivals "The Has-Been Vents His Spleen". If this was one of the original recordings that sat on the shelf all those years, it's remarkably prescient, almost feeling at times like an examination of Gen Z under the microscope. At least, that's how I interpreted it. It's another song that seems to fly by, which is often the mark of a truly great track.

The penultimate song, "40 Winters", begins simply with acoustic guitar before gradually introducing more instrumentation. Even so, nothing distracts from the understated lyrics, whose warmth and simplicity make for a genuinely heartwarming listen.

The album closes with "Go Light a Candle", another slower piece. A beautiful organ or synth part drifts in and out throughout the song, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. It's a wonderful closing track and the perfect full stop to what has, for me, been a delightful discovery.

Perhaps I'm showing my ignorance by not recognising Rodney Crowell's name, after all he's had a nearly 50 year career, but ultimately that's beside the point. What matters is whether the music has the ability to reach out and touch people, and this album certainly does. I'm very glad I took the time to listen to it, and perhaps I even owe Leonard a little thanks for leading me here.