(Hypertension/Planet)

In 2009 rumours circulated about Scots-born singer Gerry Rafferty’s lapse back into alcoholism. Eventually the elusive muso reported in from Tuscany, saying he’d been working on his first album for a decade, the aptly-titled Like Goes On.

This, it turned out, was mostly a compilation of 12 favourite songs he re-edited from CDs recorded between 1992 and 2000, plus six previously unreleased tracks.

To listen to previews of tracks from this album, press the play button

I don’t recall hearing any of the “re-edited’’ songs before but do they compare favourably with Rafferty’s better-known offerings, especially the grandiose Land Of The Chosen Few?

Of the “new” songs, two are the Christmas-targeted Adeste Fideles and Silent Night.

These, along with the Beatles’ Because and a compelling Kyrie Elieson are among the album’s stronger tracks, highlighting Rafferty’s forte: superb, multi-tracked vocal harmonies.

The latter’s Catholic allusions won’t surprise fans (remember his underrated Benediction from Stealer’s Wheel days).

Rounding out the new material is an understated interpretation of the traditional Maid of Culmore and a killer pop ballad, Our Heart’s Desire, which belongs in the same league as Baker Street or Royal Mile.

Sadly, this proved to be Rafferty’s swansong: he died early in 2011.

– Mike Daly