Lucinda Williams - West (Lost Highway records)

Much has been written about this album so I won't say more except to confirm it's all true. A mix of country, blues and rock. Songs of loss and redemption filtered through her gravel-edged voice. Play it three times in a row and it will be firmly set as one of your albums of the year. Highlights for me: Learning How to Live and Where is My Love.

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last Man Standing (Artful Records)

This is one of those "guest artist" albums with the great and the good joining in to shift copies: The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Muddy Waters and more. But unlike many others, this one is at times sensational. He kicks off covering Led Zeppelin's Rock and Roll with Jimmy Page on guitar and tears it up like a man possessed. The stage is set, as the album rolls on through some great covers, with amazing flair and energy by any standard, let alone from a man of 72. There's hope for us all.
He started his career with Sun Records alongside Elvis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and others - but is, as the album says, the last man standing. He's certainly not on his last legs however judging from this. I predict you won't hear a more rockin' album this year. One turkey of a track - skip the "execrable" Honky Tonk Woman cover with Kid Rock (adjective courtesy of Threshold Record's recommendation of the week review. My local music store is right about this as so much else...)