Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week’s CD releases I See Hawks in L.A.,”On Our Way” (Western Seeds Records)-I See Hawks in L.A. are Southern California’s leading alt country/Americana/folk rock outfit, and during their twenty years or so together the quartet have plied their trade in close collaboration with luminaries such as The Mavericks, Lucinda Williams and former Byrd Chris Hillman. “On Our Way” was assembled remotely as is so often the case in these strange and troubled times,with the Hawks operating at something approaching their distinctive best as they delved into such diverse topics as Muhammad Ali ,legendary Native American leader Geronimo and the perennial uncertainties of love.

John Carter with Martin Barre,”Spirit Flying Free” (Talking Elephant)-This interesting CD re-issue from Talking Elephant focusses attention on an undeservedly obscure 1997 collaboration between singer-songwriter John Carter and demon guitarist Martin Barre of Jethro Tull fame. The two men had apparently been firm friends during their formative years in Birmingham but gradually drifted apart as fame and fortune beckoned for Barre.This belated musical reunion found the duo working with mutual friends from Tull and Fairport Convention in a polished celebration of the delights of melodic rock,with Barre excelling on guitar and the occasional flurry of flute.”Don’t Mess Around With Me” and “The Student” are two of the stand-out tracks.                                                                                                                                                                                   Iggy and the Stooges,”Born In A Trailer” (Cherry Red)- Iggy Pop’s highly influential outfit are captured in typically uncompromsing form here via a selection of studio sessions and rehearsal recordings which were captured for posterity at London’s Olympic Studios and assorted American locations during the early seventies.The band were preparing to record and set out on tour to promote their classic “Raw Power” album during this period, and the 4 CD set gives Stooges devotees an ideal opprtunity to to revel in some gloriously visceral versions of gems such as “Search and Destroy,” “Gimme Danger” and “Raw Power” itself.