Troy Cassar-Daley

From the warmth of his voice to the everyman familiarity of his lyrics, there's always been something true-blue, honest-to-goodness about Troy Cassar-Daley. With these tunes, the world is set right and realigned, whatever life is throwing at you, a feeling captured to perfection in the gentle melody of "I Love This Place," which settles like blown leaves around the opening line: "I fish and I drink/I'm a good man, I think." In common with many Cassar-Daley tunes, that track is invested with a believable, unpretentious, slightly weary optimism that's never less than fair and square — and you'll also find it in abundance on "Everything's Going to Be Alright." Troy and Ella Hooper rock their way through "Islands in the Stream" in Next Steps.

Any country style you care to mention, Cassar-Daley will nail it — here we find him backed by banjo and harmonica on the rootsy toe-tapper "Wish I Was a Train," and mining a bluesy, hangdog seam on "Bow River." He's also great when he chooses an unlikely cover and adds his own unique T C-D imprint to the material: check out his reflective barnyard rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" (alongside Jimmy Barnes and Bella) or his slow 'n' soulful country reading of the Impressions 1965 hit (penned by Curtis Mayfield) "People Get Ready." Put him together with Ella Hooper, add a rocked-up backbeat, and you've got a stunning cover of Dolly & Kenny's "Islands in the Stream."

The product of mixed Maltese/Aboriginal genes and a natural performer's instincts, Troy Cassar-Daley has emerged as one of our best-loved, universally appealing modern country artists. An early, pre-teen trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival planted the seeds of his future stardom, fuelling a desire to first learn the guitar, then hone his craft through a determined ascent from street busker to band member (Little Eagle, the Blue Heeler Band) and ultimately to solo performer. Here we offer a wide-ranging overview of his best-loved tunes, from "Bar Room Roses" — a highlight on 1997's True Believer — to the title track from 2009's I Love This Place via a couple of standout covers and a collaboration or two. So kick back and enjoy the homegrown country comforts of T C-D.