Kevin Bryan reviews a selection of this week's alternative CD releases.

Shawn Colvin, "Uncovered" (Fantasy Records)-Shawn Colvin released her first covers collection to near universal critical acclaim more than twenty years ago, and this rather belated follow-up features the acoustic balladeer's unvarnished and spontaneous interpretations of songs made famous by everyone from Stevie Wonder and The Band to Gerry Rafferty. The latter's moodily memorable "Baker Street" is given a particularly striking re-vamp, with the original's scorching sax solo replaced by an eloquent burst of pedal steel guitar, and Shawn also breathes new life into Paul Simon's "American Tune," John Fogerty's "Lodi" and Graham Nash's "I Used To Be A King" with grace, sensitivity and charm.

Melanie, "Madrugada" (Morello / Cherry Red Records)- Melanie Safka first established her credentials as a dramatic interpreter of other people's material when her impassioned re-vamp of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday" soared into the higher reaches of the singles charts in 1970. "Madrugada" appeared on the market four years later and showcased some fine self-penned songs alongside another Jagger-Richard offering, "Wild Horses," and the gifted New Yorker's distinctive covers of gems from the pens of Woody Guthrie, Jim Croce and Randy Newman.

Jefferson Starship, "Jefferson's Tree Of Liberty" (Floating World Records)- Jefferson Starship had been inactive on the recording front for more than a decade when founder member Paul Kantner made the decision to put together an album celebrating the radical folk tradition which had been such an inspiration to him during his formative years as a writer and performer. This surprisingly passionate package first saw the light of day in 2008 and found rock luminaries such as guitarist David Freiberg and demon fiddler David LaFlamme underpinning Kantner and company's efforts as they breathed new life into timeless ditties such as Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom," Richard Thompson's "Genesis Hall" and Dino Valenti's poignant "Cowboy On The Run."

Fred Abbott, "Serious Poke" (Lojinx)- The multi-talented Mr.Abbott first found fame and, presumably, fortune as lead guitarist and keyboard player with the sadly defunct Noah And The Whale, and the London based musician has now unveiled an impressive solo debut steeped in the spirit of late seventies American pop rock . "Serious Poke" was recorded with the help of his former bandmates in NATW , and the influence of acts such as The Cars, Springsteen and Tom Petty is never far from the surface as Fred serves up attention grabbing cuts such as "Adrenaline Shot" and "Funny How Good It Feels" for your listening pleasure.