With the release of his 4th album John McGrail’s Merchant Of Sorrow comes at you from the dark side. Things are not always happy and jolly and this album makes no pretenses of such an outlook. Having read Dr. Ralph Stanley’s autobiography “Man Of Constant Sorrow” recently John had this to say…"He was not apologetic about anything he did whether it was playing songs that dealt with hard times, or sorrow, death or the infinite sadness that can engulf us at times. I can only say I agree. There is a solace in songs that come from this side of the human condition. For whatever reason it’s where I choose to look for my inspiration.