The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.

Laurence Jones, "Take Me High" (Ruf Records)- Laurence Jones has been hailed as "Young Artist of the Year" in two recent British Blues Awards, and this new  Ruf offering finds the gifted  singer and guitarist  working in tandem  with legendary producer Mike Vernon . The two men have  been discussing the possibility of working together for several years and now the moment has finally arrived, with "Take Me High" capturing the first fruits of their artistic collaboration . "Addicted To Your Love" and "Got No Place To Go"  provide excellent vehicles for Laurence's incisive guitar work , and namesake Paul Jones'  stunning harmonica cameo  illuminates another stand-out track,  "The Price I Pay."

M3, "Rough An' Ready" (Talking Elephant)- This  robust  live package dates from June 2004 and finds  former Whitesnake mainstays   Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody  and Neil Murray revisiting the bluesy  delights of their illustrious back catalogue , with vocalists Stefan Berggren and Doogie White  stepping into David Coverdale's shoes with power and aplomb . As a trip down memory lane it's a well nigh faultless affair, with perennial crowd-pleasers such as "Fool For Your Loving" and "Here I Go Again" emerging as the cream of the crop.

Mary Chapin Carpenter, "The Things That We Are Made Of" (Lambent Light Records)- Mary Chapin Carpenter  established herself as one of the most thoughtful and rewarding singer-songwriters of her generation long long ago, and the insightful country  balladeer continues to  create albums of the highest quality to remind listeners of the enduring  power of honest emotions honestly expressed.  Newcomers to her heartfelt meditations on the human condition would be well advised to lend a receptive ear to fine tracks such as  "Something Tamed, Something Wild," "Livingston" or her touching musical missive  to pioneering gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "Oh Rosetta."

Elizabeth Wallfisch, "Telemann : Complete Violin Concertos Vol.6" (CPO)- The latest offering in this excellent CPO series finds violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch immersing herself in the Baroque splendours of a further four concertos from the pen of the  German composer Georg Philipp Telemann. This prolific creative figure's work has historically  been  overshadowed by the output of his compatriots and friends  Bach and Handel,  but interest in Telemann's  music has grown in recent years  and this fine new CD provides an ideal introduction to the great man's  complex and eclectic sound.