Kevin Bryan

Nick Lowe,”Indoor Safari” (Yep Roc)- The former Brinsley Schwarz and Rockpile stalwart hasn’t been too active on the recording front since the release of his 2013 album of Christmas songs,”Quality Street,” but the great man’s musical mojo remains firmly intact on the eloquent evidence presented by “Indoor Safari.”Working in close collaboration with his like minded Yep Roc labelmates Los Straitjackets in a musical marriage made in heaven Nick has crafted a hook laden melodic gem featuring remixed or re-recorded versions of nine tracks which originally saw the light of day in single or EP form during the past decade or so. Lowe’s abiding affection for the innocent delights of American pre-Beatles rock and pop informs many of his finest creations here, most notably “Went To A Party,” “Jet Pac Boomerang” and the exquisitely forlorn “Different Kind of Blue.”

P. P. Arnold,”The First Lady of Immediate” (Charly / Immediate)- The artist formerly known as Patricia Ann Cole began her performing career as a member of Ike and Tina Turner’s vocal backing group The Ikettes before relocating to London in the mid sixties, where she signed to Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate organisation, enjoying singles success with classic ditties such as “Angel of the Morning” and the youthful Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is The Deepest.” This splendid vinyl re-issue from the good people at Charly focusses attention on Arnold’s 1968 debut set for Immediate, with a string of illustrious producers led by Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane and Mick Jagger overseeing proceedings as the Los Angeles born vocalist emotes her way powerfully through stand-out tracks such as “(If You Think You’re) Groovy,” “Born To Be Together” and “The Time Has Come” to name but a few.

Simon Nicol & Ric Sanders, “Greetings From Grolloo” (Talking Elephant)- This gentle acoustic celebration of the delights of roots music was recorded at a folk festival in the small Dutch village of Grolloo just over twenty years ago. This is the only time that Fairport Convention’s Simon Nicol and Ric Sanders have captured their activities as a duo on record and the finished product is a delightfully ramshackle and understated joy. The two musicians are nothing if not eclectic in their choice of subject matter, running the gamut from Bach’s “Double Violin Concerto” to Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” by way of poignant ditties such as Huw Williams’ “Rosemary’s Sister” and Ralph McTell’s “The Hiring Fair.” As an added bonus Simon and Ric also regale their receptive Dutch audience with a classic track from Fairport’s fourth album,”Liege and Lief” in the shape of Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick’s “Crazy Man Michael.”

Dickey Betts, “Live From The Lone Star Roadhouse New York City 1988” (Wienerwotld)-Former Allman Brothers singer and guitarist Dickey Betts was pursuing a solo career when this highly listenable live set was broadcast on a New York radio station in November 1988. Betts was no longer such a hot commercial property during the late eighties but he was still able to deliver the goods with some style in a live setting, and this splendid 2 CD set showcases fine performances of quite a few Allmans classics, most notably “Jessica,” “Statesboro Blues” and the epic instrumental,”In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” As an added bonus listeners are rewarded with guest appearances from rock luminaries such as Rick Derringer, Cream bassist Jack Bruce and former Rolling Stones’ guitar ace Mick Taylor, with the latter duo joining forces for a masterly revamp of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful.”

The Yardbirds,”Beck’s Blues” (Charly)- Here’s another splendid vinyl anthology from the good people at Charly Records, this time focussing attention on the contribution made to their sound by the late great Jeff Beck during his short stint with the band in the mid sixties. The mercurial musician had joined their ranks when Eric Clapton left the fold in 1965 after growing increasingly disillusioned with their refusal to fully embrace the spirit of the blues, and his innovative guitar work underpinned a string of singles successes as the decade progressed, with “Evil Hearted You,” “Heart Full of Soul” and “Shapes of Things” capturing the essence of their progressive but highly commercial sound. The astute compilers have also found space here for some classic musical outings from the archives, including the band’s rip roaring revamp of rhythm and blues bandleader Tiny Bradshaw’s “The Train Kept A-Rollin’.”

Lindisfarne,”Brand New Day-The Mercury Years 1978-1979” (Cherry Red)- This easy on the ear late seventies retrospective brings together the three albums that Lindisfarne recorded for the Mercury label after reforming in 1976. The Geordie folk-rockers’ career had lost much of its early momentum after they had suffered several line-up changes a few years previously but the return of the group’s original members swiftly rejuvenated their fortunes, and the release of their euphoric live set “Magic in the Air” in 1978 helped to reacquaint listeners with much loved old favourites such as “Fog On The Tyne,” “Meet Me On The Corner” and “We Can Swing Together.” The highly listenable follow ups, “Back and Fourth” and “The News” are also given an airing here alongside a generous helping of demos, out takes and live tracks culled from their live show at Newcastle City Hall in 1979.

Foghat,”Slow Ride-Live in Concert” (Wienerworld)- This muscular outfit were formed by three recently departed musicians from iconic British blues band Savoy Brown in 1971,. They relocated to the United States soon afterwards, where they enjoyed several years of very healthy chart success built on the firm foundation of their relentless touring schedule. The eighties and nineties were much leaner times for Foghat, although they soldiered on regardless with what seemed to be a constantly changing line up. This powerful live set was captured for posterity over two Texan nights in 1999, with founder members Lonesome Dave Peverett, Tony Stevens and Roger Earl reunited once again as they delivered a crowd pleasing set list featuring much loved old favourites such as “Stone Blue,” “Drivin’ Wheel” and their covers of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love To You” and Elmore James’ “It Hurts Me Too.”

Steve Dawson,”Ghosts” (Pravda Records)- The sixth solo album from sublimely soulful Chicago based singer-songwriter Steve Dawson is a mellow gem of the highest order, and one which reminded me of the late lamented Jesse Winchester in some of its most beguiling moments. The contents were a very long time in the making, having been penned in the six years leading up to 2023 with an attention to detail that sets Steve’s work apart from many of his contemporaries in this increasingly crowded field. His previous album was essentially a one man show, but on this occasion Dawson has assembled a “dream band” to underpin his efforts, drawing on the talents of some of the finest musicians that this Californian tunesmith has worked with in his adopted hometpwn of Chicago during the past fifteen years or so. The finished product should be required listening for Americana fans everywhere.

Steeleye Span,”The Green Man Collection” (Park Records)- This venerable British folk-rock institution have gone through quite a few line-up changes over the decades but the current incarnation of the band still go about their business with a flair and energy which sets them apart from many of their contemporaries in the field. Maddy Prior’s instantly identifiable vocals are obviously one of the prime selling points as Steeleye serve up a rumbustious set which features sprightly revamps of old favourites such as “New York Girls” and “Hard Times of Old England,” the latter featuring a rather unexpected guest appearance from Francis Rossi of Status Quo fame. Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson also chips in on the showstopping ballad “Old Matron” and a fine version of Elvis Costello’s sadly still all too topical “Shipbuilding” is give an airing amongst the Child ballads and traditional English folk songs.

Medicine Head,”Heartwork” (Talking Elephant)- John Fiddler and Peter Hope-Evans enjoyed a brief flirtation with chart success when their single “(And The) Pictures in the Sky” soared into the lower reaches of the U.K. singles charts in 1971 and more hits followed in subsequent years in the shape of “One & One Is One,” “Rising Sun” and “Slip and Slide.” The mass audience for Medicine Head’s delightfully organic brand of blues rock gradually drifted away however, and Hope-Evans departure in 1977 has left Fiddler ploughing a lone furrow as he’s striven to keep the band’s name alive for the last forty odd years alongside assorted like minded musical cohorts. “Heartwork” is the latest addition to John’s illustrious back catalogue, a deliciously understated affair recorded in close collaboration with multi instrumentalist Dzal Martin, whose eloquent guitar work underpins fine tracks such as “Love Is Not A Dream,” “Alibi” and “Blue Eyes.”