Ian Lang’s latest release, The Whisper, is a superb collection of the finely crafted, beautifully arranged Anglo-Americana songs for which Ian has become widely known on both sides of The Pond. An inspired acoustic set of 11 songs make subtle reference to Lang’s influences but shine vividly with their own light. A brilliant follow-up to Blood on a Pale Moon (2003) and Radio Days (1998), Ian’s soulful voice is in perfect gritty contrast to the grace of the dancing melodies and sparkling crystalline production. Performances by a host of top musicians from the UK and North America mix it up here with textures of pedal steel, fiddles, dobro, mandolin, layered harmony and ethnic percussion. Ian is a gifted songwriter whose stories are told with rare intensity, wisdom and tenderness. Tales of a near-to-retired boxer (Between the Bells), a soldier who gives his life far from his home and the girl he loves (Button) and the impossibly tender Girl Who Chased Storms segue easily into a reprise of Lang’s popular Radio Days, the darkly sensual Roses and Rust and the ultra-spooky O’Casey’s Ghost. This is a collection of songs you will return to again and again always hearing something new. Musical contributions from UK artists Gavin Sutherland (Sutherland Bros), Chris Parks (Any Trouble) and Ollie Collins (Angie Palmer) sit quite comfortably next to those of Seattle Americana artists Nancy K. Dillon, Zak Borden (Rachel Harrington, Darren Smith) and Paul Elliott (Michelle Shocked) bringing Ian’s songs into full flower. The Whisper was recorded in truly innovative fashion in England, Scotland, Canada and the US. Thanks to connections formed via internet music sites such as MySpace and the ease with which e-mailing tracks over many miles and even oceans can be done in our time, you can hear first-hand how musical connections form and grow and how the power of music erases distance. Lang is currently based in The Midlands, England and performs whenever the mood strikes in the UK and America. The Whisper has reached #3 in the UK Roots Radio chart and #21 in the Worldwide Roots Airplay chart , it has also been Spotlight album of the week on UKCountry Radio.com.