Ian Hunter, "Fingers Crossed" (Proper Records)- The former Mott the Hoople frontman was already a veteran of the London rock scene by the time that they made the all important commercial breakthrough in 1972 with Bowie's "All The Young Dudes," and although their run of chart success was relatively short-lived the now venerable Hunter remains a vital and compelling performer, and "Fingers Crossed" is well worth an hour or so of anyone's time. The Shropshire born musician may be in his late seventies now but he's certainly not content to grow old gracefully on the evidence presented by this exhilarating set, railing against the cutthroat machinations of the music business on "Long Time" and rejecting the enticing lure of nostalgia with the glorious "You Can't Live in the Past."

Judy Collins, "A Love Letter to Stephen Sondheim" (MVD Visual)- This impressive live DVD was captured for posterity at the Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver, Colorado in May 2016 . The massed ranks of The Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra provide the instrumental backdrop as Judy Collins applies her distinctive tones to a set list dominated by the sometimes challenging Broadway ballads of Stephen Sondheim, including the song which gave Judy her greatest singles success in 1974, "Send in the Clowns." Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning" and a medley of John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads" and "Leaving On A Jet Plane" are also featured to remind listeners of Ms.Collins' impeccable credentials as an interpreter of folk and art song.

The Mavericks, "Brand New Day" (Mono Mundo Recordings)- The Mavericks' debut release on their own Mono Mundo label finds Raul Malo and his genre busting cohorts in typically fine fettle as they deliver a wide-ranging CD which draws on elements of everything from gospel to Tex Mex and Western Swing. This effortlessly tuneful outfit may still be best remembered over here for their 1998 hit, "Dance The Night Away," but their deliciously eclectic albums always repay closer investigation, and "Brand New Day" is thankfully no exception to the rule.

Timothy B. Schmit, "Leap of Faith" (Man in the Moon Records)- This inoffensive country-rock jaunt marks the first solo release by a former Eagle since the death of Tim's former bandmate Glenn Frey early last year. "Leap of Faith" is a polished and musicianly affair which makes its presence felt in unhurried style without springing too many surprises on the unwary listener, with Schmit's sterling efforts aided and abetted by top notch sidemen such as jazz legend Gary Burton and keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame.