The latest CD releases reviewed

SALLY SPRING
Mockingbird Sniffinpup Records ****

Perhaps you've heard of Sally Spring, but this veteran country/folk singer with a fine, proud voice of Sandy Denny gravitas and Margo Timmons vulnerability is new to me. Spring is well known in North Carolina Americana circles and former Byrd Gene Parsons rates her a "national treasure". It's surprising that she has made only a handful of albums in her 30-year-plus careerbecause she has a remarkably strong and character-filled voice, with songs to match. Spring has some pulling power, judging by the line-up of guests on Mockingbird, and makes good use of them with a performance of discreet power and emotional authority. www.sallyspring.com

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
Fork in the Road Sugar Hill  ***

There's a joy in playing which doesn't always come through in recordings. But this new US bluegrass band take to their songs with such relish and dexterity that the notes fairly fly out of the speakers. These six guys can play. Of the 12 tracks, the bulk are written by the band. Some are better than others, and the suspicion is that the weaker songs are more like vehicles for showcasing instrumental skills than convincing storytelling. That said, there's much to admire here, from the dazzling interplay of the opener, No More to Leave You Behind, with banjo, dobro, fiddle and mandolin furiously trading notes, to the plaintive country soul of Tragic Life. Certainly the Stringdusters are ones to watch. www.theinfamousstringdusters.com