Roots

The latest CD releases reviewed

WIZZ JONES "Lucky the Man" Hux Records ***

Wizz Jones is one of those unsung heroes of the UK folk circuit who shared the stages with, and influenced, many of the greats but for whom fame was constantly around the corner.

Now in his late 60s, Jones still shoulders his trusty acoustic for the odd show in his native Britain.

This album, first released in 2001, and now re-released with five bonus tracks, shows the extent of Jones's range, from folk to blues and beyond, with his soft, warm voice a perfect partner to his clean guitar style.

John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, make guest appearances, but this is really a showpiece for one of British folk's great characters. www.wizzjones.com - JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Weeping Willow Blues, Paris, Sugar for Sugar

DALE HAWKINS Back Down to Louisiana Yep Roc ***

You need a little imagination here.

It's a steamy hot day in a small town in Louisiana. Yearning for a cold beer, you wander into a bar and there's this white-haired old guy with a guitar around his neck, bawling out a swampy 12-bar like it's 1964.

Around him is a killer bar band shooting off hard-edged riffs. That guy is 71-year-old Dale Hawkins, writer and singer of the swamp classic Suzy Q, recently restored to performing and recording after a bout with cancer.

Back Down to Louisiana is southern bar music, raucous and unrefined, Dale's venerable southern drawl happy to surf the rockabilly rhythms and cosy up to the occasional soft-centred ballad.

Most of the songs are his own, echoes of wild times, and played with the kind of honest rustic enthusiasm that screams that life is for the living. http://dale4hawkins.topcities.com/ -  JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Bang Bang, Mighty Mississippi, Roll with the Flow