Could well be Danny Vaughn's most remarkable offering yet.

They're known as his "orphans". They're the songs that Danny Vaughn has penned at various times throughout his thirty-five-year career that he's never found an outlet for, those that don't quite fit the characterisation of what's expected from a Tyketto, Vaughn or From The Inside album. Some have surfaced periodically on solo releases ('Dulcimer Street', 'Better By Far'), but finally a true home has been found for these waifs and strays on 'Myths, Legends & Lies'.

Enlisting Thunder/Tyketto bassist Chris Childs, pianist Nigel Hopkins and Ultimate Eagles drummer Rhys Morgan, 'Myths, Legends & Lies' also incorporates violin, cello and horns contributed by the musicians who collaborated on Tyketto's 'We've Got Tomorrow, We've Got Tonight' DVD. It clearly deviates from the classy Melodic Rock that Vaughn is renowned for, although it's not so radically different as to alienate existing fans. Stepping outside the constraints of Tyketto et al. has granted Vaughn favour to enter a lighter world of Country, Blues and Folk, but the unforgettable melodies and that wonderful, incomparable voice are obviously still very much in evidence. Yet it's lyrically that 'Myths, Legends & Lies' is most noteworthy as Vaughn's penchant for storytelling surges to the fore, conjuring up resemblances to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Don Henley (the caustic 'Monkeys With Money And Guns' is highly comparable to the Eagles front-man).

The stories within whisk you away on characterful journeys that depict cardsharps on the Southern Rock-style ballad 'The Missouri Kid', guardian angels on 'Point The Way', hangmen on 'Black Crow', runaways on the distinctly Country 'Kelly's Gone' and sailors on 'Seven Bells', the latter an epic, elegantly arranged ballad with beautiful, sweeping strings – this track alone is absolutely stunning. Elsewhere, 'The Shadow Of King John' is a lively Irish jig invoking The Pogues & The Dubliners, and 'Deep Water' is a Bluesy, horn-drenched cautionary tale with the brilliant line, "she put poison in my coffee so I started drinking tea", while the delicate 'What You Left Behind' is a touching tribute to Vaughn's Mother who sadly passed away in late 2018.

Throughout its various moods and themes, this album is entertaining, uplifting, inspiring and downright moving, and an altogether fascinating insight into an imaginative side of his writing that's rarely seen. However, from an artistic and creative point of view, 'Myths, Legends & Lies' is a brilliant release and it could well be Danny Vaughn's most remarkable offering yet.

Ant Heeks