Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week’s CD releases Greenslade,”Temple Songs:The Albums (1973-1975)” (Esoteric/Cherry Red)- This attractively packaged 4 CD retrospective from the good people at Cherry Red brings together the four albums that this distinctive prog rock outfit recorded for the Warner Brothers label before the group’s eventual demise in 1976. Former Colosseum stalwarts Dave Greenslade and Tony Reeves had formed the band with the intention of assembling a unique line-up boasting two keyboard players as frontmen, and their inventive, jazz influenced sound earned Greenslade a whole host of critical plaudits over the years as they plied their trade during the golden era of progressive rock with style and distinnction, and newcomers to the quartet’s stylish brand of music making would be well advised to lend an ear to albums such as “Bedside Manners Are Extra” and their hugely impressive 1973 debut set in their entirety. “Pilgrims Progress” and “Feathered Friends” are particularly impressive musical creations.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings,”All The Good Times” (Acony Records)-Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have collaborated musically for many years, but “All The Good Times” is the first album to be released in their joint names. This home recorded collection of acoustic covers has since gone on to win the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album, with the duo bringing their sparse and unadorned sound to bear on a beguiling blend of traditional material and gems from the back catalogues of revered singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan and the late lamented John Prine, who is represented here by the classic “Hello In There.”

Joan Armatrading,” Consequences” (BMG)- Joan has never gone out of her way to court fame and fortune during the course of a career which now extends over half a century, but she remains one of the most consistently impressive writing and performing talents that this country has ever produced, and at the age of 70 the creative spark still seems to be shining just as brightly as ever. “Consequences” is as exquisite and uncompromisingly eclectic as Armatrading devotees have come to expect, with “Natural Rhythm,” “Already There” and the euphoric “Think About Me” emerging as the best of a typically well crafted bunch.