KEITH Harkin fans are preparing to share him with the world.

They've felt like a select few "in the know" about Harkin and this singer/song writer's eerily, beautiful voice.

But now he is unleashed with his long-awaited solo album and the secret is out: Keith Harkin is a major talent.

>>Click here for a taste from the album

Not that he's unknown - as a key member of Celtic Thunder, the blond singer from Derry, Northern Ireland, already has millions of devoted "Thunderheads" behind him.

But his self-titled album with Verve Music Group - Keith was one of the first signings to David Foster's new label - is showcasing this unique voice to a wider audience.

It features half wonderful originals and half covers, interpreted with a Celtic twist by a singer with a sweetly beautiful voice - as that saying goes, Harkin could sing the phone book and we'd be sighing and weeping at that clear, unique sound.

Among the originals, Daisy Fields is a standout and it's been playing in my brain for weeks now, while the more upbeat Don't Forget About Me and Nothing But You and I helped push this album to the top of Billboard's world music charts as soon as it was released (pre-sales took it to number two on Amazon).

Thunderheads already know Keith can rock it with the best - I'm thinking not only Whisky in a Jar but his original All Day Long on Celtic Thunder's Voyage CD and DVD, recently released.

This album is gentler, a sweet, easy listening journey from a tremendous young singer songwriter who is bound to win even more fans.

And those of us who've been there from the beginning will just have to share him. Sob.