Roots

The latest releases reviewed

CHARLIE PARR Jubilee Little Nudges ****

"A confused and shy individual, Charlie Parr plays original and traditional folk and Piedmont-style blues, accompanying himself on National resonator guitars, 12-string guitar and sometimes a banjo."

The introduction is courtesy of Parr's website and, yes, it's a little short on the corporate gloss. Based in Duluth, Minnesota - heretofore best known as the birthplace of Bob Dylan and likely to remain so - Parr dives deep into the blues, regaling us with stories of drunkenness and bad times.

In the same way that the early Delta bluesmen travelled a lot in a very small area - their world and worldview were very narrow, their music the exact opposite - Parr mops up the neighbourhood gossip and serves it up with energetic, coarse but fascinating songs.

Some are better than others but all are infused with awesome passion. In 1937 it would have been normal, in 2007 it's extraordinary. www.charlieparr.com  JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Jubilee, Just Like Today, Jesus on the Mainline

UK STATES Psychogeography Hitback ****

I received an early copy of this truly blissful album, listened for a while, got hooked and then put it away. A few weeks later I dusted it down and wondered, could it repeat its spell? The answer is a big yes.

Psychogeography does what it says on the label: takes us on a tour of emotional highlights via a stream of warm, soft, insistent melodies and lyrics so normal and conversational that they sound weird.

It's a bewitching mixture with jangling acoustic guitars, close harmonies and a slew of sensitive settings. Any band that opens a song with "Eyes in the back of your head, you are going to need them . . . " is either heavy on confidence or plain daft, but UK States carry off most of their wheezes with assured ease.

It helps that the melodies are so rich and memorable. www.theukstates.co.uk

JOE BREEN

Download tracks: I Have No Legs, Shotgun Heart, Be Brazil