The Frenchman releases his latest album of blues music.

If you think the concept of a guitar-drums blues duo from Detroit sounds a bit, well, familiar, consider this: Soledad Brothers guitarist Johnny Walker allegedly is responsible for teaching the White Stripes' Jack White how to play guitar. This is the Brothers' third studio LP.

John Hammond follows his successful album of Tom Waits covers, Wicked Grin, with his first-ever original material. Well, ok, so he only wrote one song on this new album, but it is his first. Complimenting that track are selections written by the likes of Tom Waits, George Jones, Jagger/Richards and David Hidalgo (who also appears on the album).

The roots rocker tackles a variety of tough, contemporary issues on this latest release, perhaps his most political, issue-oriented album yet. Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris guest.

Australian alt-country singer Kasey Chambers follows her acclaimed 2000 debut ('The Captain') with this sophomore effort. Lucinda Williams guests.