The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, "Django and Jimmie" (Sony Music)- Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard  first worked together on the best-selling "Pancho & Lefty" album more than three decades ago,  and the venerable country performers are  now striving  to recapture some of  the old magic with the release of the excellent  "Django and Jimmie."  The title track is the outlaw duo's touching tribute to the musical legacy of   Jimmie Rodgers and legendary jazzman Django Reinhardt , and they  also breathe new life into Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright"  and their own golden oldies such as Haggard's "Swinging Doors" and Nelson's "Family Bible."

 

Pokey LaFarge, "Something in the Water" (Rounder Records)-St.Louis based roots musician Pokey  LaFarge makes his Rounder Records debut with a gloriously wide-ranging set  showcasing his distinctively Midwestern take on the delights of  jazz, country blues , ragtime and Western swing.  The wittily memorable closing track, "Knockin' The Dust Off The Rust Belt Tonight," captures the essence of Pokey's admirably anachronistic approach to music-making, and should be required listening  for open-minded record buyers everywhere.

 

The Pretty Things, "The Sweet Pretty Things (Are In Bed Now,Of Course...)" (Repertoire Records)- You could be forgiven for thinking that these sixties malcontents would  have given up the ghost long ago, but rather remarkably they've returned to the fray with a grittily memorable new album recorded in glorious analogue a few months ago. The creative nucleus of singer Phil May and guitarist Dick Taylor  roll back the years as they deliver an uncompromising blend of new self-penned material and covers, including re-vamps of Sky Saxon's "You Took Me By Surprise" and The Byrds' "Renaissance Fair." Splendid stuff.

 

Irnberger / Korstick, "Beethoven: Violinsonaten Vol.2" (Gramola)- Austrian classical violinist Thomas  Albertus Irnberger continues his exploration of the Beethoven repertoire, expertly underpinned by the sterling efforts  of  his piano playing cohort Michael Korstick. The four violin sonatas on offer capture some of the composer's most lyrical and expressive writing for the instrument, and Irnberger is in typically fine fettle throughout this excellent Gramola CD.