Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week’s CD releases Loretta Lynn,”Still Woman Enough” (Legacy Recordings)- This country music legend may be rapidly approaching her ninetieth year but she shows no sign of opting to rest on her laurels and grow old gracefully on the stunning evidence presented by “Still Woman Enough.” The album finds her joining forces with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Tanya Tucker as she breathes new life into songs first popularised by luminaries such as Hank Williams and thirties country stars The Carter Family as well as delivering an unusual recitation of the lyrics from the iconic “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Jan Schelhaas,”Dark Ships” (Talking Elephant)- Liverpool born keyboards ace Jan Schelhaas is best remembered these days for his sterling exploits with prog rock outfits such as Caravan and Camel, and echoes of both bands’ approaches to music-making permeate this polished solo offering from 2008. Jan’s one-time Caravan band mates Doug Boyle and Jimmy Hastings lend their invaluable support to a melodic and free flowing package whose skilfully crafted appeal is best captured by prime cuts such as “Nothing On Earth,” “Soon Be Dreaming” and “Dark Ships” itself, the latter boasting some particularly eloquent guitar work from the aforementioned Mr.Boyle.

Parker Millsap, “Be Here Instead” (Thirty Tigers)- Parker Millsap’s fifth studio album finds this highly regarded performer moving away a little from his traditional Americana roots as he explores a variety of interesting new sonic palettes with uniformly impressive results. “Be Here Instead” finds Nashville based Millsap taking advantage of the new creative possibilities offered by everything from piano to effects pedals and curiously archaic drum machines as he unveils his most varied package to date, with “The Real Thing,” “Dammit” and the psychedelic soul of “Vulnerable” emerging as three of the stand-out tracks.