<B>BILLY BRAGG & WILCO: <I>Mermaid Avenue</I></B><BR> Elektra 62204-2 (CD). 1998. Billy Bragg, Wilco, Grant Showbiz, prods.; Jerry Boys, eng.; Nora Guthrie, exec. prod. AAD? TT: 49:42<BR> Performance <B>****?</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B>
<B>DAVE ALVIN: <I>Blackjack David</I></B><BR> Hightone HCD 8091 (CD). 1998. Greg Leisz, prod.; Paul duGre, Dave Ahlert, engs. ADD? TT: 50:24<BR> Performance <B>****?</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B>
<B>TOM WAITS: <I>Beautiful Maladies</I></B><BR> Island 314-524 519-2 (CD). 1998. Various prods., engs. AAD? TT: 74:00<BR> Performance <B>*****</B><BR> Sonics <B>****?</B>
<B>OLU DARA: <I>In the World, from Natchez to New York</I></B><BR> Atlantic 83077-2 (CD). 1998. Yves Beauvais, Olu Dara, prods.; Danny Kopelson, eng. Tom Schick, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 47:03<BR> Performance <B>****</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B><I>(But see final paragraph.)</I>
<B>THE MAVERICKS: <I>Trampoline</I></B><BR> MCA MCAD-70018A (HDCD). 1998. Raul Malo, Don Cook, prods. AAD? TT: 57:50<BR> Performance <B>*****</B><BR> Sonics <B>*****</B>
<B>VARIOUS ARTISTS: <I>Sacred Steel</I></B><BR> Arhoolie CD450 (CD). 1997. Robert Stone, prod.; Chris Strachwitz, exec. prod. AAD? TT: 74:29<BR> Performance <B>*****</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B>
<B>DELBERT McCLINTON: <I>One of the Fortunate Few</I></B><BR> Rising Tide RTD-53042 (CD). 1997. Gary Nicholson, Emory Gordy, Jr., Delbert McClinton, prods.; Russ Martin, Marc Frigo, engs. AAD? TT: 38:12<BR> Performance <B>****</B><BR> Sonics <B>****½</B>
<B>The Delevantes: <I>Postcards from Along the Way</I></B><BR> Capitol 8 56179 2 (CD). 1997. Gary Tallent, prod.; The Delevantes, Mike Porter, assoc. prods.; Mike Clute, Peter Miskinis, engs. AAD? TT: 43:34<BR> Performance <B>****½</B><BR> Sonics <B>****½</B>
<B>JOHN COLTRANE: <I>Lush Life</I></B><BR> DCC GZS-1108 (CD). 1997. Bob Weinstock, prod.; Rudy Van Gelder, eng.; Steve Hoffman, reissue prod. AAD? TT: 36:39<BR>Performance <B>****</B><BR> Sonics <B>*****</B>
<B>GUY CLARK: <I>Keepers</I></B><BR> Sugar Hill SHCD-1055 (CD). 1997. Guy Clark, prod.; Miles Wilkinson, prod., eng.; Johnny Rosen, eng. AAD? TT: 64:45<BR> Performance <B>****½</B><BR> Sonics <B>*****</B></FONT>