Bend your ear to a lively jig or spirited reel

Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Jerry Barlow is slated for two performances at Community Library Network locations next week.

Barlow, of Golden, Colo., is a warm, accessible performer and storyteller. His unique and skillfully delivered repertoire incorporates favorite traditional pieces as well as his own Celtic-inspired compositions. His expressive arrangements of lively jigs, spirited reels and haunting airs is described as music to soothe the soul, warm the heart and lift the spirit.

"In concert, Jerry brings traditional Celtic tunes alive by sharing the history, humor and legends behind the music," wrote Scott Beech, director of Colorado Celtic Entertainment. "Out of the many musicians performing today, the vast majority are skilled in either performing on their instrument or in entertaining an audience. It's very rare and extremely enjoyable to see a musician at the very top of his craft in both areas."

Barlow's latest CD, "'Twas the Night: Songs of Christmas," was released in early December 2013 and earned excellent reviews. His 2011 recording, "Field and Fences," was one of five nominees for Instrumental Album of the Year by the Independent Music Awards.

Music from all of Barlow's recordings can be heard regularly on National Public Radio stations. He has been featured in Fingerstyle Guitar magazine and was profiled in the February 2011 issue of Celtic Connection. He has performed in the Gates Auditorium for the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts in Arvada, Colo., and is a favorite of High Plains Public Radio's Living Room Concert Series in Amarillo, Texas.

Barlow will appear at the Post Falls library, 821 N. Spokane St., on Thursday and the Hayden library, 8385 N. Government Way, on Friday. Both free concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and no reservations are needed.

For information, contact the Post Falls library at (208) 773-1506 or the Hayden library at (208) 772-5612.