Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week’s CD releases The Last Inklings,”The Impossible Wild” (Gillywisky Records)-This beguiling collection was the brainchild of Leonardo Mackenzie and David Hoyland,a couple of multi-talented musicians whose work is steeped in the spirit of contemporary folk whilst also offering some fresh new insights into the human condition in these troubled times into the bargain. Classically trained cellist Leonardo Mackenzie has paid his dues as an in demand session for a decade and a half and both men were formerly members of Kadia, whose debut album,”East of Alexandria” was showered with critical plaudits when it first saw the light of day in 2015. Their close working relationship continues to flourish today, as “The Impossible Wild” explores the role of nature,myth and superstition in the modern world. The results are exquistely crafted and endlessly inventive as the duo weave their image laden narratives via richly rewarding tracks such as “Hunter’s Folly,” “Sleeping Giant” and “Vespers.”

Connie Smith,”The Cry of the Heart” (Fat Possum Records)- The great Dolly Parton once remarked that “There are really only three real female singers; Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt and Connie Smith.The rest of us are only pretending.” Veteran country singer Connie Smith has now recorded more than fifty albums during a lengthy career which now extends back to the early sixties, and her latest offering,”The Cry of the Heart,” finds the octogenarian performer working in close collaboration with her husband, producer and fellow Nashville icon Marty Stuart. These two country stalwarts haven’t felt tempted to diverge too far from the timeless sound which has served Connie so well over the years and her first album since 2011’s “Long Line of Heartaches” serves up an appealing blend of freshly minted new material and heartfelt revamps of classic oldies and gems from the repertoires of artists that she has admired over the years.

John Wort Hannam,”Long Haul” (Black Hen Music)- Award winning Canadian roots musician John Wort Hannam may not be a household name on this side of the Atlantic just yet, but fine albums such as this should help to spread the word on behalf of the Lethbridge, Alberta resident and his warm and spontaneous brand of balladry. The current pandemic situation meant that John and his long term producer Steve Dawson were forced to assemble “Long Haul” remotely but they rose to the challenge admirably, with some top notch players supplying the instrumental backdrop as Hannam took the opportunity to reflect on the vagaries of the human condition via a batch of consistently compelling ditties led by “What I Know Now,” “Hurry Up Kid” and “Other Side of the Curve,” with former John Prine and Nanci Griffith sidekick Fats Kaplin in particuarly fine fettle on fiddle,mandolin,banjo and harmonica throughout an excellent set.