The latest CDs reviewed

West of the West Yep Roc

Mmmmm, now this is sweet. Like many these days, veteran Californian roots rocker Dave Alvin had an idea for an album of cover versions, this time of Californian songwriters. While many songwriters have made the state their home, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell among them, Alvin opted to select only from those who were born or grew up there. The result is a minor gem, 13 tracks of various hues all delivered with punch and panache by a singer, guitarist and band at the top of their form. The mix could fairly be described as eclectic, but gererally speaking it's blues and country based, with a little Latin flavour thrown in. His reworking of Jackson Browne's Redneck Friend into a breezy jazzy blues is inspired, but then so are versions of John Fogerty's Don't Look Now and Merle Haggard's Kern River, though pride of place currently goes to the do-wop setting of Brian Wilson's Surfer Girl. www.davealvin.com Joe Breen

Laps in Seven Sugar Hill

Sam Bush is one of the key figures in the evolution of newgrass, the offshoot of bluegrass which has produced mixed blessings, as is apparent from this latest album by the brilliant mandolin player. At its best, the instrumentals dazzle and the songs hit home, but often they seem like fodder for supermarket background noise. All shades are here, from a vibrant version of Julie Miller's The River's Gonna Run (with her husband, Buddy, guesting on typically sharp guitar, and Emmylou Harris adding her voice) to the dexterous drivel of The Dolphin Dance. The playing is, as would be expected, never less than impressive, though there is a lot of showboating. The title refers to the final track, which was inspired by the 7/4 timing of his dog Ozzie's water drinking. And, yes, Ozzie does a lap of honour at the end. www.sambush.com Joe Breen