Joe Breenon Jim White and Rodney Crowell.

JIM WHITE

A Funny Little Cross to Bear

Luaka Bop

Jim White is a remarkable singer-songwriter from the American South. He's qualified to teach film studies, but has chosen instead to travel around with these quiet mini-epics of mental derring-do, which are informed in part by a history of depression.

This short live collection (an EP in old money) has at least one great tune and one great story. The former is a beautifully nuanced version of Jailbirdfrom his exceptional Transnormal Skiperooalbum of last year.

The story is the seventh (unreferenced) track and is both funny and thoughtful which, allied to White's haunting country folk blues melodies, pretty much sums up his qualities.

www.jimwhite.net

JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Jailbird, Plywood Superman

RODNEY CROWELL

Sex & Gasoline

Yep Roc Records

For many it's a given that all male country singers are dumb, right-wing, God-fearin' good ol' boys who wear stetsons. I guess that's why maverick country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell plays little or no country anymore.

He's certainly not right-wing, possibly is God-respectin', but definitely isn't dumb - and there's no sign of a stetson, either. Since turning 50 in 2000, Crowell has let it rip, taking aim at what he views as the less attractive aspects of his country.

Sex & Gasolineis more of the same, with a special doff of the hat to Bob Dylan, the daddy of the protest song. The songs are good if generally not great, well-meaning if not inspired, and the performance never quite shivers the backbone.

Crowell is undoubtedly a class act, and the title track and Closer to Heaven, for example, are humdingers. But some tracks are self-conscious and disappointing.

www.rodneycrowell.com

JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Sex & Gasoline, Closer to Heaven