Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's CD releases Barb Jungr,"Bob,Brel and Me" (Kristalyn Records)- She may not be a household name just yet, but Barb Jungr's gloriously jazz inflected output marks her out as an interpretative singer of rare pathos, wit and charm. As the title suggests Barb's latest album is dominated by her distinctive covers of songs made famous by iconic troubadours Bob Dylan and Jacques Brel, serving up radical re-workings of much loved old favourites such as "Jacky," "Mr.Tambourine Man" and "One Too Many Mornings," aided and abetted by a strong supporting cast including pianist Jamie Safir and saxist Mark Lockheart.

Jack Rutter,"Gold of Scar & Shale" (Self-Released,via Proper Distribution)-This multi-talented folk singer and musician hails from the Holme Valley in West Yorkshire, and for his second solo album Jack Rutter has assembled an appetising array of undeservedly obscure gems from the traditional canon, painstakingly gathered from the dusty pages of old song books or the repertoires of particularly knowledgeable source singers. The decision to record this masterly package "as live" lends added immediacy to enthralling narratives such as "I Was Once A Young Ploughboy," "John White" and "Down By The Derwent Side," with demon fiddler Sam Sweeney in fine form throughout.

Buddy & Julie Miller,"Breakdown on 20th Ave. South" (New West)- This gifted husband and wife duo are finally working together again on record again after a break of more than a decade which has found producer and guitarist Buddy Miller plying his trade as a stylish sideman with the likes of Robert Plant, Richard Thompson and legendary soulman Solomon Burke to name but a few. The contents of this excellent album were recorded in the intimate surroundings of the bedroom above Buddy's famed home studio, with the couple's exquisite vocal harmonies illuminating fine tracks such as "Till The Stardust Comes Apart" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me."

Annie & Rod Capps,"When They Fall"(Yellow Room Records)- Michigan based folk/Americana duo Annie and Rod Capps sum up their eclectic sound as "songs about broken things and poignant little ponderings delivered with a rootsy vibe, a touch of twang, and soulful groove." "When They Fall" is the musical soulmates' eighth full length album, continuing a musical journey which began long long ago in 1982 and blessed with a string of enchanting ditties which also draw on elements of rock, jazz and bluegrass to weave their subtle spell. " (That Would Do) Some Good," "When They Fall" and "Poor Old Me" are three of the stand-out tracks.