Kevin Bryan rounds up this week’s latest records including a repackaged Morrissey gem and some contentious country.

 

Morrissey, "Kill Uncle" ****

This newly remastered version of the Mancunian malcontent's second solo album expands on the 1991  original with the  inclusion of three bonus tracks, "Pashernate Love," the  alternate "live in studio" version of "There's A Place In Hell For Me And My Friends"  and  a surprising  cover of Herman's Hermits'  1966 single, "East West."
This rather under-rated collaboration with Madness producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley also   leaned heavily on the creative contribution of Fairground Attraction's Mark E. Nevin, who stepped rather uneasily into the shoes vacated by Johnny Marr as he supplied the musical backdrop to underpin Morrissey's lyrical flights of fancy on stand-out tracks such as "Our Frank," "Sing Your Life" and "(I'm) The End of the Family Line."

Out now (Parlophone CDPCSX 7375: £7.38)

 

Albert Collins, "Alive and Cool Plus..." ***

This rather rudimentary live recording was made at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore West in 1969, when Albert Collins  was performing  on a star-studded bill which also included Creedence Clearwater Revival and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac.
The  murky sound quality doesn't really do justice to the Texan's distinctive finger-picked style, but the inclusion of half a dozen  studio cuts from a decade or so earlier  offers a much clearer insight into the unique qualities of such an influential figure in blues circles.
Collins' 1958 debut single, "The Freeze" and "Backstroke" are the pick of those robust vinyl offerings.

Released on June 10th (Angel Air SJPCD 423: £10.30)


 

Patty Griffin, "American Kid" ****

Ms. Griffin released her first album, "Living with Ghosts" as long ago as 1996, but the Austin-born singer is probably best known these days for her work with Robert Plant's Band of Joy.
The former Led Zeppelin front man also made a guest appearance on "American Kid," singing on three tracks, "Ohio," "Faithful Son" and "Highway Song," as Patty fused elements of folk, country and Americana to create a touching and highly personal tribute to the memory of her late father.
Griffin's decision to decamp to Memphis and enlist the services of Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi All Stars as her backing band also proved to be a creative masterstroke, and "Irish Boy," "Not A Bad Man" and an affecting cover of Lefty Frizzell's "Mom And Dad's Waltz" find them operating at the peak of their considerable powers.

Out now (Columbia Records: £9.99)

 

 

Musica Antiqua Koln/Goebel, "Heinichen:Concerti Grandi" ****

Johann David Heinichen was one of the brightest stars shining in the Baroque firmament during his heyday in the early 18th century, but his musical legacy was largely forgotten until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 allowed period instrumentation specialist Reinhard Goebel to gain access to the East German archives and re-discover this inventive character's lively and energetic creations .
These splendid recordings of the "Concerti Grandi" date from 1992 and provide an ideal introduction to Heinichen's impressive Italianate repertoire.
 

Out now (Archiv 479 1110: £8.00)


Brad Paisley, "Wheelhouse" ****

This new Arista collection finds country singer Brad Paisley stepping bravely outside his comfort zone as he explores contentious themes such as domestic abuse, religious fundamentalism and racial prejudice with varying degrees of success.
The album features guest appearances from such unlikely bedfellows as Sheryl Crow, rapper LL Cool J and Eric Idle of Monty Python fame, who pops up on "Death of a Married Man," and although its subject matter may ruffle a few feathers amongst the mainstream country fraternity "Wheelhouse" does   still offer an appealing showcase for Paisley's ready wit and stylish, rock orientated guitar work.

Out now (Sony/Arista Records: £9.58)