A to Z

The Texas-Colorado duo Allison and Spehar opened shows for the stars, dug hard for Nashville success and wrote songs constantly – fine overviews of the rural life – but their work was denied a national spotlight. This set traces their journey, the 15 songs deep into country tradition but stretching out into Southern rock, rockabilly revival and the blues. Melodic, guitar-driven gems abound: “Train Train Train”, shifting the view of Elvis’s “Mystery Train”,and the rocker “Delta Man” are standouts, while “Bite The Bullet”, envisioning one’s youth and paying its price, would have made Billy Joe Shaver proud.

Extras: 6/10.Detailed liner notes, song-by-song commentary.

LUKE TORN

Long departed from Suede and following his collaboration with David McAlmont, Butler fashioned a solo debut of confessional pop, painted in bold, bright colours. The near eight-minute opener “Woman I Know” drips with grandeur, like Lost Weekend-era Lennon wrapped in a Spiritualized anthem, “You Light The Fire” flirts with reflective Laurel Canyon folk, and the soaring “A Change Of Heart” packs a real emotional punch. For the most part, the maniacal guitar riffs of his former group take a back seat, only occasionally cutting loose and never overwhelming the innate simplicity of some elegantly persuasive songs, delivered in a half-whisper that suits the intimacy of their lyrics.

Extras: 7/10.4CD edition includes a disc of the original album with rerecorded vocals; likewise for the period B-sides on third disc; final disc of early demos and live tracks.

TERRY STAUNTON