Nazareth
Born Under The Wrong Sign 1976-1979
(Cherry Red Records)
⭑⭑⭑

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsnwgaFg4jE 

THE arresting interplay between Dan McCafferty’s and Manny Charlton’s bluesy guitar work propelled Dunfermline’s finest musical exports through a lengthy run of chart success during their creative heyday in the 1970s, and this five-CD package explores the band’s musical output during the latter half of the decade.

The contents also give listeners an opportunity to compare and contrast the original version of their ninth studio album, Expect No Mercy, which was rejected by their record company and the rejigged offering only saw the light of day in November 1977.

1979’s No Mean City is most notable for the addition to the Nazareth ranks of former Sensational Alex Harvey Band guitarist Zal Cleminson, and the good people at Cherry Red have also extracted a generous helping of bonus tracks from the archives, including their 1975 cover of Tomorrow’s My White Bicycle.

Grey DeLisle & Les Greene
Grey & Greene
(Hummin’ Bird Records)
⭑⭑⭑⭑

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PMA528CIiU 

THIS life-enhancing collection brings together the combined talents of Americana specialist Grey DeLisle and the ebullient Les Greene, who’s probably best known for his scene stealing performance as Little Richard in the Baz Luhmann movie Elvis.

These unlikely musical soulmates have assembled a glorious celebration of the timeless delights of country, rockabilly and Southern soul which should help to remind discerning listeners of the redemptive power of this classic brand of music making, before closing proceedings with an infectious revamp of the 1978 Grease chart topper, You’re The One That I Want.

DeLisle has already made quite a name for herself as a comedian and voice actress alongside her critically acclaimed musical exploits and Grey & Greene represents an impressive addition to the Californian’s illustrious back catalogue, showcasing self penned gems such as Mariposa, Shake That Thing and The Pieces.

The Strawbs
A Glimpse of Heaven: Radio & TV Sessions 1966-1983 
(Cherry Red Records)
HHHHI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J56IicSNuEY 

This west London rock outfit began life as a bluegrass duo in 1963 and went through a whole host of line up changes over the years, including brief collaborations with luminaries such as Sandy Denny and keyboards ace Rick Wakeman.

This splendid audio visual anthology brings together the radio and TV sessions that the various incarnations of the band recorded for the BBC over the years, including crowd pleasing renditions of their early 1970s hits, Lay Down and Part Of The Union and a string of superior album tracks.

Perennial frontman Dave Cousins’s distinctive, drama-laden vocals were always something of an acquired taste but his abilities as a songwriter of rare narrative power were surely never in question, and gems such as The Hangman and the Papist and New World supply an ideal introduction to The Strawbs’ unique sound.