The latest CD releases reviewed

THE GRASCALS
Long List of Heartaches Rounder *****

By any rule of thumb The Grascals should be rubbish. They have a truly awful name and their new album, their second, features one of the dumbest band pictures this side of the 1960s. Signs like that are usually sound but these six veterans of the US country and bluegrass scene have turned out another remarkable album that is the equal, if not better, of their highly touted debut. The playing is pin-sharp, the harmonies note-perfect and tasteful, and the song selection is inspired. Their roots and hearts lie in traditional country, a mixture of sentimentality, tragedy, faith and unfaithfulness. The key song is a classic weepie, Don't Tell Mama, in which the narrator hears the last words of a drunken driver, including a sonorous spoken part by country legend George Jones. Other highlights include the Jordanaires guesting on the timeless Did You Forget God Today and the broken-heart ballad You Don't Have Very Far To Go. www.grascals.com  Joe Breen

DOC & MERLE WATSON
Black Mountain Rag Rounder ***

The result of another raid on the archives, Black Mountain Rag features Doc Watson and son Merle on 20 tracks recorded in the early 1980s. Watson senior is a legend in the roots hierarchy, while Merle's death in a tractor accident about 20 years ago ended a career heading in the same direction. The two were great acoustic guitar stylists and they could whip out a blues riff as fast as they kick off a polka. Their mastery of so many genres might seem strange today, but they just saw it all as music. Some of the 20 tracks sound almost lame today, especially Doc's version of songs like Leaving London, but the many instrumentals are a joy, as is the interplay between father and son. A solid introduction to their music. www.rounder.com  Joe Breen