Jack Bruce
Smiles & Grins — The Broadcast Sessions 1970-2001
(Esoteric Box Set)
★★★★★

FEATURING BBC radio and TV appearances from Jack’s post Cream period, the extent of his songwriting and musicianship is breathtaking.

Across four CDs there are broadcasts by The Jack Bruce Band, with Carla Bley and Mick Taylor; challenging jazz rock collaborations with Jon Hiseman and John Surman; two full BBC Radio 1 In Concert broadcasts with Graham Bond, Art Theman and Chris Spedding; an Old Great Whistle Test; Jazz In Britain and a Sounds of The ’70s session.

On two BluRay discs there are two Old Grey Whistle Tests; Later With Jools Holland where he performs Sunshine Of Your Love; a solo performance of Theme From An Imaginary Western, and a never broadcast German Beat Club TV show with Tony Williams and John McLaughlin.

With a 64-page booklet stuffed with photos, it’s a fine memorial to one of Scotland’s greatest musicians.

Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975
I See You Live On Love Street
(Grapefruit Box Set)
★★★★

NESTLED above smoggy Los Angeles in the Hollywood hills, Laurel Canyon was the place to be for musicians, in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Laid back, its winding rounds and swimming pools attracted everyone from Frank Zappa, members of Canned Heat, CSNY, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison (who wrote the title track, Love Street) “where the creatures meet,” assorted singer-songwriters, country rockers, wannabe rock stars and “long-haired weirdos.”

A short drive to Sunset Strip and The Troubadour club, the canyon was a hive of creativity, dope-fuelled parties and a bohemian lifestyle.

The album includes 72 tracks from bands like Love, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds; lesser lights like cult songwriter Judee Sill, and some real obscurities — Susan Carter, Cyrus Farya anyone?

Accompanied by a superb booklet stuffed with hippy memorabilia from the period.

Dylan LeBlanc
Coyote (Extended)
(ATO Records)
★★★

HAILING from Shreveport, Louisiana, singer-songwriter Dylan LeBlanc has released five albums since his recording debut in 2010, including the original version of Coyote last year.

This new extended version includes unissued sides from the original album plus five sides recorded live in the FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Described as a “concept album” about Coyote, a man on the run from his past and how people have a love affair with seeing their fellow man get torn apart, it sounds like heavy stuff, but don’t let that put you off.

LeBlanc says this is the album he always wanted to make. He writes haunting songs, with the laid-back feel that the FAME Studio generates.

Pick of the bunch are the title track Coyote, The Crowd Goes Wild and the five live sides.

The best Americana album of 2024 — so far.