Gary Yerkins - Compass (Independent) This is a strong album from the former Insiders and The Juleps singer. It really has an emphasis on quality song writing all the way through it. It kicks off with the pure pop song "About to Now" which has great slide work from Pete Droge on it, which sounds uncannily like the slide playing on George Harrison’s "My Sweet Lord”. Seattle based Droge also acts as his producer, and there are further Seattle links with both drummer Ben Smith (Heart) and bass by Andy Stoller (Tracy Chapman) also featured. "Days and Days" is another catchy pop song, but there is a real variety of styles that work equally well. "Autumn Bay" has a slight reggae feel which works, but it is the atmospheric "Sky Blue Boulevard" and "The Blue Way" which are the killer tracks. A fine CD which deserves repeated playing. http://gysongs.com Steve O. Next