Full Moon Howl represents McTaggart’s first solo album outing, although he has had disc success before (1980’s) as a member of Canadian pop/rock group, The Arrows. Dean McTaggart’s writing needs little introduction and several of the songs included here will be familiar to some, including Birmingham which has previously been cut by Nashville’s Melodie Crittenden (1998), Last Exit To Eden done previously by the short-lived Nashville duo Redmon & Vail (also cut by Canadian pop/rocker Amanda Marshall); while The Blues Is Winning appeared on Johnny Reid’s debut album. Dean McTaggart’s versions of these songs injects new touches that provide even better insights into what the composer was trying to convey with his songs. Other songs here that are certain to stir interest include the title track Full Moon Howl; the Bob Seger-flavored The Wild One, and Wishful Drinking, which is arguably the best ‘drinking’ song to come along since Danny Kortchmar’s You Ain’t Drinkin’ Enough, recorded by Matt Minglewood and by Earl Thomas Conley. Dean McTaggart delivers his songs with a gritty soulful blues vocal style…it’s not ‘country’ but its close enough, and more importantly it’s a great showcase for his songs.The album was self-produced and recorded at MacWoods Studio. The Breit Brothers (Gary and Kevin) are featured on the session and background vocals include Ottawa-bred blues diva Suzie Vinnick. -Country Music News