Kevin Bryan takes a look at this week’s music releases, including Scottish folkies Ceolbeg and Johnny Marr/Bernard Sumner project Electronic.

Ceolbeg, "Collected" ****

Many of Scotland's finest folk musicians have passed through Ceolbeg's ranks over the years,and  "Collected" showcases the cream   of this essentially part-time outfit's highly regarded  back catalogue .  The late Davy Steele's  rare gifts as a songwriter are well represented by two of his finest creations,"Farewell Tae  The Haven" and "See The People Run,"  and  the innovative  sextet's   instrumental prowess also illuminates a stylish assortment of slow airs, jigs and hornpipes  culled from the six albums that the various incarnations of the band  recorded together.

Released on May 27th (Greentrax CDTRAX 374 : £9.77)

 

"Electronic" *** 

This 2 CD re-issue serves up an expanded version of Electronic's 1991  album featuring a generous helping of rare tracks,alternate versions,edits and instrumentals. This  collaboration between New Order's Bernard Sumner and former Smiths'  guitarist Johnny Marr also drew heavily on the Pet Shop Boys' creative input, and  the latter's  Neil Tennant  chipped  in on vocals on one of the album's highlights,the subtly memorable "Patience Of A Saint."  The Mancunian duo's highly acclaimed  debut set   also  spawned no less than  three chart  singles in the shape of "Getting Away With It," "Get The Message" and "Feel The Beat," perfectly capturing the spirit of British electro pop in the early nineties.

Out now (EMI Records : £13.00)

 

Billy Boy Arnold, "Chicago Blues From Islington Mews 1977" ****

Chicago born harmonica player  Billy Boy Arnold was midway through a British concert tour when he put together  this earthy package for Red Lightnin Records  ,trading licks with Groundhogs guitarist Tony McPhee as he revisited his own " I Wish You Would" alongside classic blues creations such as  Jimmy McCracklin's "Just Got To Know" and Little Walter's "Ah'W Baby."  The finished product was hailed as "Blues Album of the Year" by "Black Echoes" magazine despite having been  recorded in the space of just two days in October 1977, and has  lost little of its potency with the passage of time.

Out now (Angel Air SJPCD415 : £9.52)

 

John Fiddler, "State of the Heart" ***

Medicine Head's minimalist brand of bluesy rock was all the rage for a few years during the early seventies,bringing John Fiddler and Peter Hope-Evans singles successes such as "Pictures  in the Sky" and "Rising Sun," but the two men eventually went their separate ways,and Fiddler later  went on to front British Lions and Box of Frogs. "State of the Heart" was John's first solo album ,appearing  as a cassette only release  in 1991 and boasting a batch of songs that he'd penned in response to a subsequently withdrawn offer to join The Stranglers as Hugh Cornwell's replacement. This newly remastered CD still retains the feel of  an underproduced bootleg, although  Fiddler completists should find it a very worthwhile investment  nonetheless.

Out now (Angel Air SJPCD416 : £9.60)

 

Pavarotti / Abbado, "Giuseppe Verdi : Rarities" ****

The recordings featured here date from 1978 and 1980 and find the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti as he tackles some extremely rare arias from the Verdi archives. Many of the pieces were penned to  accommodate  specific  singers'  vocal gifts and then swiftly jettisoned,and this fascinating package also features two orchestral works,the prelude to the original "Simon Boccanegra" and the full scale overture that Verdi composed for the Italian premiere of "Aida," expertly performed here by Claudio Abbado and the Orchestra of Milan's La Scala opera house.

Out now (Warner Classics 2564 64653 8 : £5.83)