The latest releases reviewed.
JASON ISBELL, Sirens of the Ditch, New West, ****
If the name rings a bell, fear not, it is the same Jason Isbell who was part of the Drive By Truckers three- pronged guitar attack before he quit the southern alt.rock giants last year. Sirens of the Ditchis the reason why. At first it sounds like you've heard these tracks a hundred times before, but there is nuance, care and emotion invested in this debut, recorded in Muscle Shoals, in Isbell's native Alabama with members of his former band helping out. There are echoes of Tom Petty and Ryan Adams, of FM rock and swamp blues, of sharply etched pop and sensitive folk, but all of it is shot through with Isbell's personal take on everything from the war (the subtle Dress Blues) to more romantic issues (the bluesy Hurricanes and Hand-Grenades, the abrasive Try). There's lots to pick over in this thoughtful, guitar-led collection.
Download tracks: Dress Blues, Brand New Kind of Actress, Grown
JOE BREEN
JERRY LEE LEWIS, Live from Austin, Tx, New West, ****
In the sleeve notes, Terry Lickona writes that when he tried to book the rock'n'roll legend for a repeat appearance on this Texas live concert TV show, his spokesman's response was "Jerry Lee doesn't think he could possibly do a better show". And he was possibly correct. The Killer was already 48 when he took to that stage in Austin on October 17th, 1983, but boy did he roll back the years, dancing along those ivories with a steady left hand and flying fingers on his right. There's the odd limp moment ( Chantilly Laceis a little perfunctory) but there's nothing stale or pedestrian about the other classics. Jerry Lee Lewis always lived near the edge, frequently toppling over, but this is a performer seizing the moment, at ease with his legendary past and enjoying his honky-tonk country present - No Headstone on My Graveis outstanding. Also available on DVD.
Download tracks: 39 and Holding, Boogie Woogie Country Man, No Headstone on My Grave
JOE BREEN
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