David Rawlings' new record ‘Poor David’s Almanack’ is album of the week

In partnership, once again, with the similarly minded Gillian Welch, who adds harmony vocals throughout, Rawlings has also drafted in veteran English producer Ken Scott, famed for his work with the Beatles and David Bowie. 

The result is a beautifully low-key, naggingly powerful record that sounds, already, like a classic, blending together blissfully up-beat sing-alongs like Come On Over To My House with the likes of Cumberland Gap, a broodingly raw drama. 

Then there’s the extraordinary Yup, on which the devil runs off with a man’s wife only to return her after she lays waste to hell… An extraordinary and unforgettable record. 

PAUL KELLY

Life Is Fine ★★★★✩ 

(Cooking Vinyl) 

There’s a wonderful unpredictability about veteran Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. 

One moment he’s turning in the ultimate witty retort to anyone suffering from “man flu” (the bluesy My Man’s Got A Cold, vocalised by fellow Aussie singing legend Vika Bull), the next he’s breaking your heart with Letter In The Rain, a gorgeous meditation on fleeting love. 

MARTINE McCUTCHEON 

Lost And Found 

★★★✩✩ 

(BMG) 

She doesn’t have the strongest voice in the world but the former Tiffany from EastEnders is one hell of a song stylist. 

Her first album of original material in 17 years, co-written by her husband Jack, exudes smooth, 1960s-style sassiness, particularly on Paradise and the wonderfully vulnerable Cried A Little. 

5 BILLION IN DIAMONDS 

5 Billion In Diamonds 

★★✩✩✩ 

(100% Records) 

In which former Garbage drummer and Nirvana producer Butch Vig attempts to create a progressive rock film soundtrack by dragging loads of mates into the studio and listening to obscure albums for inspiration… 

The result, a thin gruel of feeble, repetitive tunes and dim lyrics, is more like a fi ver in small change.