Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week’s CD releases Tim Grimm,”Gone” (Cavalier Recordings)- Musician, songwriter, actor and all round Renaissance Man Tim Grimm has built quite a reputation for himself in Americana circles since making his recording debut many many years ago with “True Heart, Kind Mind.”The next decade was dominated by his acting exploits as Tim worked on films such as “Backdraft,” “Mercury Rising “ and “Clear and Present Danger,” but the lure of music making eventually proved much too strong for Ohio born Grimm to resist,and his touching desire to capture the romantic ideal of the family farm and the vanishing landscape of rural America has fuelled a string of critically acclaimed albums during the past twenty years or so. “Gone” is the latest addition to this hugely impressive body of work,liberally peppered with perceptive and resonant gems such as “A Dream” and “Carry Us Away” which should be required listening for discerning roots music devotees everywhere.

“The Lucky Ones” (Self Released)- Bluegrass is normally associated in most music lovers mind’s with the culture of the American South, but these prime practitioners of the genre actually hail from far far away in Canada’s Yukon territory. The location of the legendary Klondike Gold Rush a century or more ago is the home base for The Lucky Ones,whose self released debut album was recorded in the space of just five days, lending a refreshing air of spontaneity to a package which reflects the reverence for musical tradition which they share with similarly gifted performers such as Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show. Mike Zito,”Resurrection” (Hillside Global)- Award winning St.Louis bluesman Mike Zito’s latest long playing creation serves up a typically gritty and hard edged blend of covers and freshly minted new material, as the singer and guitarist breathes new life into songs penned by luminaries such as J.J.Cale ( I’ll Make Love To You”), Eric Clapton (“Presence of the Lord”) and the late great Willie Dixon (“Evil”). The finished product won’t spring too many surprises on the well informed punter but this prolific performer’s recorded exploits always repay repeated listening nonetheless.