“ Belfast singer songwriter Gerry Creen first came to prominence at the cusp of the 1980s. One of many artists borne of the local folk club circuit in venues like The Sunflower along with Jane Cassidy, Maurice Leyden and Coff McGrath- The Sunflower run by the late Geoff Harden was a pivotal venue in supporting local talents as well as visiting guests. In 1986 Gerry Creen a teacher by day and performer by night had garnered a considerable local reputation for finely crafted songs delivered in a strong compelling voice recorded his first album A Rose by Any Other Name on Homestead Records. Launched at that years Belfast Folk Festival –the album featured eight lyrical songs crossing traditional and contemporary folk styles with local guests Enda Walsh, Jane Cassidy, Trevor Stewart and the album was a local favourite. Then balancing the edgy performing life with his established career Gerry Creen traded the stage for the classroom. Recently a curious Google enquiry revealed he was back in action, with a new album Hindsight and a re-mixed version of A Rose by Any Other Name. Now in 2010, it can be freshly viewed and listened to and it’s still a killer. A collection of exemplary songs delivered with power, vision and magnitude with arrangements that veer from complex to simple yet never take from the narrative power of the song. Ask Me No Questions opens the account an environmental plea confirmed with pleading vocals, Galloper Thompson uses the heroic ballad form to relate the story of a local hero. Marina Jane recalls a shipwreck and the resulting tragedy of a child’s body recovered. Imagine a cross between Paul Brady, Paul Simon, Tommy Flemming, and Seth Lakeman and you have Gerry Creen’s approach lyrical, impassioned, and powerfully articulate. Yet that’s only the tip of the iceberg. A Rose by Any Other Name is an undiscovered gem newly minted still retaining its lyrical and observational wealth”. John O’Regan IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE January 2011