Roots

The latest CD releases reviewed

PETER CASE
Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John Yep Roc ****

The Sleepy John of the title is a reference to the late bluesman Sleepy John Estes, and the title itself is presumably a play on the famous James Agee book (with iconic photographs by Walker Evans) about the great depression. These twin references also hint at Case's bluesy stories of people on the margins, an album of vivid storytelling and robust musicianship that prompted a worthy Grammy nomination last December for best traditional folk album. There is an irony here, of course. This Buffalo-born singer- songwriter's music is very much of the present (with the exception of the traditional Get Away Blues), though hugely influenced by the great bluesmen. These 11 tracks are studded with honest, acute observations of life on the short side, and he gets digouts here and there, not least from Richard Thompson on the impressive opener, Every 24 Hours. www.petercase.com  JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Every 24 Hours, Underneath the Stars, I'm Gonna Change My Ways

LEGENDARY SHACK*SHAKERS
Swampblood Yep Roc *** 

There's a cartoonish sense of the macabre and bizarre to the Legendary Shack*Shakers' take on the southern US experience. Should we treat their music - which flits from rockabilly to hillbilly - with any seriousness, or simply succumb to the humour of the moment? I strongly suggest the latter; it will then be a lot easier to relish the psychobilly fervour of songs such as Easter Flesh, Old Spur LIne and the title track, with Col JD Wilkes's exaggerated vocals camping it up mightily. Hellwater, their homage to Creedance Clearwater Revival, is a worthy nod of the hat, while Born Again Again and Jimblyleg Man sound like hick send-ups. It's good, loud raucous fun, no more and no less. www.cocka doodledont.com   JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Hellwater, Swampblood, Born Again Again