SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

HIGHER

Chris Stapleton HHHII

Country star Chris Stapleton broke through into the mainstream when he featured on Justin Timberlake’s single Say Something five years ago.

Now he is more than holding his own with a back catalogue of four albums, plus a collection of Grammys and CMA awards.

With his own twist on bluegrass, Southern soul and classic rock, Higher is a laidback affair.

It seems to blend from one song to another, which isn’t a bad thing if you are wanting background music, possibly not what you want from an album.

CAT POWER SINGS DYLAN: THE 1966 ALBERT HALL CONCERT

Cat Power

HHHHI

Chan Marshall, better known by stage name Cat Power, returns with a live recreation of Bob Dylan’s infamous 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert.

Although the Dylan show was held at Manchester Free Trade Hall, a bootleg labelling error saw it forever linked with the London venue where Marshall performed last November.

The 1966 performance proved controversial among folk fans as Dylan played an electric guitar and was backed by a band for the first time.

Across the recording, Marshall leaves her mark on some of Dylan’s most fabled songs.

A FAMILY CHRISTMAS (DELUXE EDITION) Andrea Bocelli HHHII

A Family Christmas feels as though the Bocellis are sitting with you by the fireplace with a cup of mulled wine. It’s cosy, fun and wholesome – the best qualities in a Christmas album.

The original was a festive best-seller in 2022. This year, Andrea Bocelli teams up with his 11-year-old daughter, Virginia, and 26-year-old son, Matteo, to add four new tracks and six bonus ones.

Virginia breathes new life into Away In A Manger, while, Matteo leads on a bluesy

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Spanish holiday hit Feliz Navidad can do no wrong on a Christmas album, especially with Bocelli’s strong tenor vocals at the helm.