Roots

Joe Breenlooks at this week's Roots CDs

CHIP TAYLOR

Yonkers, NY Train Wreck Records***

This is a typically delightful musical memoir from a man with many stories to tell, and who knows how to fill them with warmth and atmosphere. Taylor comes from an extraordinary family; his brothers are actor Jon Voight and famed geologist Barry Voight. His 50-year career (he is 65) has had many and varied highlights. He wrote Wild Thingand Angel of the Morningin the first spell of songwriting, then became a full-time gambler before returning to music some 15 years ago. Taylor was raised in Yonkers, New York, and the 11 tracks here remember his childhood, the gentle direction of his parents and the craic he had with his brothers. Part spoken, part sung, the easy melody and soft-focus recollections evoke an era of innocence and simplicity. It helps that Taylor is such a sensitive performer, graced with effortless charm, and that he employs a very good band. www.trainwreckrecords. com

Download tracks: Charcoal Sky, Bastard Brothers, Yonkers Girls

HEATHER BRISTOW

Hope on the Vine  Heifer Music  ***

Raised in North Carolina and now living in Gloucestershire, poet, singer and songwriter Heather Bristow affects a modest figure on her quietly impressive debut album. These 15 self-penned tracks carry a special sound, a natural bluegrass talent filtered through an English folk prism. The exceptional Stars Falling fits the bill, with Colin Sillence's finger-picking in that ornate John Renbourn mould, and Bristow sings with a deep, haunted passion. Though there are other examples (notably a fine duet with John Lowell), the bulk of the songs are softcore bluegrass and none the worse for it. Bristow is a strong, if not distinctive, singer, and though bluegrass can sometimes skirt cliche, her poetic skills carry her to a better place without losing the front porch feel. There are a couple of songs for her father, a few waltzes, a little gospel, a lot of love and a remarkable performance poem thrown in. www.myspace.com/ heatherbristow

Download tracks: Stars Falling, Lonesome Lullaby, Who's Gonna Tend Your Grave?