Divided by a Common Language,Clubhouse Records ***

This 15-track release is subtitled “a collection of UK Americana”. Note the “collection” rather than a spurious “greatest hits” or an extravagant “wonderful world of”. The adaptation of the GB Shaw quote for the title and the use of an endearing snapshot from the 1960s indicates a discernment that is generally reflected in the choice of material.

That said, while there is much that is good, not least The Hi-Lo's laconic Ray of Sunshineand the Southern Tenant Folk Union's Let Me Wipe the Tears From Your Eyes, there is also a fair dollop of fairly average Americana, such as Treekeeper's dreary and endless Last Days.

I was also quite taken by Dusty the Dreaming Spires's robust reading of Girl from the North Country.But there is a caveat: most of this music aspires to be American, not Americana. There is no sense of a distinctive British style based on the genre. See clubhouse records.co.uk

Download tracks: Girl from the North Country, Ray of Sunshine