Roots

Dwight Yoakam: Dwightyoakam.net (Reprise)

The cool Californian cowboy has recharged many country traditions, so it should be no surprise that he is following another: the willingness to flog the same songs in different packages. This collection is the minimalist approach of Dwight's plaintive voice and his acoustic guitar on 24 tracks, most of which will be familiar to even casual acquaintances. Even the sleeve is stripped down (see illustration) to just a white strip across the clear plastic. But these skeleton versions reveal more about the songs and the singer than one might imagine. Caught in this monotone setting these classic country songs of bitterness and betrayal take on a more haunted quality. This is not apparent immediately; but repeated listening reveals songs as something more substantial than mere acoustic versions of favourite tunes.

By Joe Breen

Joe Ely: Live at Antone's (Rounder)

Ely has always been his own man, building his near legendary status in Americana music by the uncompromising nature of his songs and his performances, first with the famous Flatlanders (with Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock) and then with his solo work. His rockier style has never found a mass audience, but clearly that has not worried him. To judge by this hard-edged collection his music remains as raggedly vital and brutally honest as when he started over 30 years ago. Recorded in a famous Austin venue, Ely and his band rise to the roar of the home crowd with luminous versions of staples such as Me and Billy the Kid, Gallo del Cielo and Jimmy Dale's Dallas. No quarter is asked and none given. For further details check out his amusing web site at www.ely.com.

By Joe Breen

More CDs reviewed in tomorrow's Weekend supplement.