Kevin Bryan reviews the latest album releases.

Tellison: The Wages of Fear ****

LONDON indie rockers Tellison thankfully haven't succumbed to the difficult second album syndrome as they unveil the eagerly anticipated follow-up to their 2007 debut set Contact! Contact!

The overall mood of the CD is a little more world weary and mature than its well received predecessor, but the youthful indie rockers still retain their innate ability to conjure catchy melodic hooks out of the ether at will, and tracks such as Edith, Tell It To Thebes and My Wife's Grave Is In Paris capture the essence of their affectingly memorable sound.

Out now (Naim Edge Records naimcd163: £8.99)

Carole King, James Taylor - Troubadours: The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter ***

THIS feature length DVD documentary chronicles the rise of the singer-songwriter movement in America during the early 70s, drawing on contributions from leading lights of the genre such as Jackson Browne, Carole King and James Taylor.

Many of these performers cut their teeth at Los Angeles' legendary Troubadour club, where the latter duo were filmed during their return to the venue in November 2007 as they revisited classic songs such as Country Road, Something in the Way She Moves and the timeless Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

Out now (Concord Music Group/Universal: £9.69)

The Art of Gioconda de Vito ****

THIS absorbing archive collection draws on recordings made by the great violinist Gioconda de Vito during the latter stages of her career,which ended with her retirement in 1961 at the age of just 54.

The bulk of the set is occupied by pieces penned by masters of the Baroque such as Bach, Handel and Corelli, but the Italian virtuoso also turns in warmly expressive interpretations of two works by Brahms, the Violin Concerto in D major and Sonata for Violin and Piano in D major No 4.

Out now (Andromeda ANDRCD 9090: £10.74)

Willie Nelson & Ray Charles: An Intimate Performance ***

AN ENTERTAINING DVD from the Wienerworld organisation, reviving the contents of a TV show that two of America's most iconic musical performers recorded at Austin Opera House in 1985.

Finely honed professionalism has never exactly been the laconic Texan's trademark, and his unique approach to the art of music-making lends added charm to Willie's duets with Ray Charles on classic numbers such as Seven Spanish Angels, I Can't Stop Loving You and Hoagy Carmichael's Georgia On My Mind.

Out now (Wienerworld WNRD 2472: £4.93)

Steve Miller Band: Wide River ****

THIS under-rated offering first saw the light of day in 1993, and would be Steve Miller's last studio album until Bingo! was released last year, as he turned his back on the relatively clinical recording process and embarked on a seemingly never ending series of highly successful concert tours instead.

Wide River in many ways represented a throwback to the slickly crafted melodic rock which had brought the singer-guitarist so much fame and fortune during the late 70s, with the Cry Cry Cry and the title track emerging as the cream of a particularly agreeable crop.

Out now (Edsel 1055: £5.07)