Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week’s CD releases Nathan Bell,”Red,White and American Blues (It Couldn’t Happen Here)” (Need To Know Music)-Nathan Bell has been described as “ a true sage for these troubled times”, and this exemplary 2019 recording finds the Tennessee singer-songwriter railing against the iniquities of social injustice in close collaboration with a select group of like-minded individuals including Robert Plant’s former performing partner Patty Griffin. The finished product serves up a feast of rock tinged country-folk for your listening pleasure, with Bell’s exquisitely economical acoustic guitar work embellishing fine tracks such as “When You’re Dead,” “To Each Of Us (a shadow)” and “Angola Prison.”

“Something Inside of Me: Unreleased Masters & Demos from the British Blues Years 1963-1976” (Wienerworld)-This lavishly annotated 4 CD set focusses attention on an array of obscure recordings from some of the homegrown artists who were inspired to embark on musical careers during the British blues boom of the early sixties. A feast of joyously uncomplicated roots music is given an airing in the process,including offerings from Dave Kelly of the Blues Band, one-time Fleetwood Mac stalwart Danny Kirwan and criminally under-rated Welsh harmonica wizard Duster Bennett, who sadly lost his life in a 1976 car crash at the tender age of just 29. Many of the tracks featured here are available on CD for the very first time, and the good people at Wienerworld should be applauded for taking this opportunity to showcase the musical output of distinctive performers such as acoustic guitar aces Dave Peabody and Al Jones.

Mark Harrison,”The Road To Liberty” (Self Released)- This quite exceptional 2 CD set marks the welcome return to recording activity of critically acclaimed British folk-blues ace Mark Harrison. This unique character’s memorable musings on the human condition have carried him through six highly listenable albums since he made his recording debut a decade or so ago with “Watching The Parade” and “The Road To Liberty” represents an excellent addition to this highly impressive body of work. Mark and his trusty National and 12 string guitars weave a fascinating narrative spell as he goes about his business with style,humour and grace, aided and abetted by talented double bassist Charles Benfield and percussion specialist Ben Welburn.