Review by Larry Delaney, Country Music News, July 2007
of You’re Not Alone, Produced by Ron & Sue Irving

Ron Irving is a Vancouver based singer/songwriter who is best recognized for his songwriting credits with cuts through the years by Nashville’s Statler Brothers. Lee Greenwood, etc., as well as Canuck star Anne Murray; but someone who has also made his mark with his vocal work, first a member of the 80’s west coast band Bootleg, and more recently with his own debut solo album, Into The Blue.  Ron’s follow-up album You’re Not Alone, is a self-described collection of songs that are ‘positive and inspirational’ most of which have been written or co-written by Ron Irving.

There will be many familiar items here, not the least of which is Ron Irving’s stirring rendition of the Dick Damron-penned Jesus It’s Me Again.  In addition to a just released cover of this classic by Charley Pride, the song has previously been done by Dick Damron, George Hamilton IV, Carroll Baker, Terry Carisse, Larry Mercey, Ed King and a handful more.  Irving’s cut holds up against the best.

Also notable is Ron Irving’s delivery of his melancholy tune Bluebird Lullaby, a Top 40 Billboard Chart hit for Anne Murray in 1990.  The album’s title track, You’re Not Alone was a crossover pop/country hit in Canada for Amanda Stott, and Like I Would For You was recently covered by West Coast singer, Karen Lee Batten. 

The album stresses Ron Irving’s soft mellow vocal styling, especially effective on tunes like Ya Gotta Believe, Back When The World Was Small, We Are All Of Us and If I Love You.

Two closing items on the album deserve special attention.  From The Other Side is a song co-written by Lynda and Tom McKillip with Ron Irving, which pays homage to Canadian troops who struggled in the taking of the famous Vimy Ridge during WW1.  Taylor’s Song was written by the album’s co-producers Sue and Ron Irving, a salute to their son.