Pearl Jam, Binaural, Epic Records

After experimenting with various exotic musical textures over their last two albums, Pearl Jam returns with the type of hard-edged rock that initially thrust them into the world spotlight. Most likely free from record company restraints to pursue whatever direction they choose, Pearl Jam hits hard and fast with tracks such as "Breakerfall" and "God's Dice," and cranks the volume and tempo down for cuts like the melodic "Evacuation" and the gloomy "Light Years."

Carl Weathersby, Come To Papa, Evidence Records

Blues guitarist Carl Weathersby has never allowed himself to be pigeonholed by the confines of the restrictive I-IV-V blues format, and has frequently ventured into soul and rock territory. He does so here as well, with an all-star backing band featuring Lucky Peterson on keyboards, the great Willie Weeks on bass, and sidekick Rico McFarland on rhythm guitar, Weathersby's onstage foil, and a man fully capable of his own solo career. Weathersby's guitar work is always emotional and fiery, and obviously influenced by Albert King, as are his vocals. Come To Papa is a solid effort, but not quite as impressive as his second disc, Lookin' Out My Window.

Various Artists, The History Of Northwest Rock, Vol.1, The Original Northwest Sound, 1959-64; Vol.2, The Garage Years.

The Northwestern United States is the home of grungy, nasty rock 'n' roll and these two volumes serve as an excellent introduction for anyone curious about the origins of the Northwest sound; a style that reared its head again strongly during the early nineties, with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and many more. Volume 1 highlights the R&B teen combo phase, with it's preponderance of Hammond organ, sax and surf guitar, while Volume 2 concerns itself with the mid-sixties explosion of garage bands like The Kingmen, The Sonics, Don & The Goodtimes, The Bandits, The Live Five and many more. Both discs are entertaining period pieces that well illustrate the pervasive influence of the Northwest rock sound that exists to this day. Recommended.

Abby Straus, The Road, Regular Recording Co.

Abby Straus is a very talented singer/songwriter/guitarist from Rockland County whose debut disc is a no-nonsense collection of material that spans a wide stylistic range from hard rock to jazzy middle eastern influences, R&B, New Age and acoustic folk, all played with verve and spirit. Straus's backing musicians are equally impressive, particularly female drummer Donna Kelly. Straus's lone cover is a killer version of Mentor William's "Drift Away," Dobie Gray's seventies hit. Abby Straus is currently playing the New York City circuit with a duo or trio, and you can get a copy of The Road by writing Regular Recording Company, PO Box 91, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276-0091, or by pulling up Straus's Web site, www.abbystraus.com. Abby Straus deserves to be heard by a much larger audience, so buy her CD. Highly recommended.

Don Henley, Inside Job, Warner Brothers Records

Don Henley is so damn self-righteous I want to throw up. He's built a solo career doing little but whining about the environment, social ills and the shallowness of modern day existence. Hey, why stop now? With drum machines, tape loops and laughable attempts at rap, Henley treats us to dreck like "Workin' It," "Taking You Home" and the god-awful title cut. Inside Job is pretentious, simpering and ultimately ridiculous. What's all the more comical is that Henley probably thinks he's deep, when the truth is he has nothing more to say. It's easy to rant and rave when you're a millionaire rock star with time on your hands and nothing else to do. Time to retire, Don.

Chris Berardo & The Desberardos, American Dust, Greenhaven Records

Although Chris Berardo looks like a refugee from an eighties hair band, his love is country rock, a la The Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Poco. Berardo's first solo album, featuring his full time road band (with his two brothers, Marc and Scott, et. al.), is loaded with the kind of bright and sunny harmonies and country lyricism one would expect. Berardo takes on social issues with infinitely more sincerity and soul (unlike Messr. Henley), and generally succeeds. I first heard The Desberardos opening for Little Feat in Port Chester, New York in 1995, and was suitably impressed, as were my companions. You can get American Dust from Chris Berardo at PO Box 184, 65 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06905.

Various Artists, Juke Joint Saturday Night, and Dallas Alley Drag, Yazoo Records

These are the latest offerings from Yazoo/Shanachie Records in their continuous reissue series of prewar blues and folk music recordings, this time spotlighting piano blues, rags and stomps from the South and Texas in particular. If you like real-deal barrelhouse piano, blues and early boogie woogie, both volumes will float your boat. There are performances by well know artists like Roosevelt Sykes, Little Brother Montgomery and Skip James, and by obscure musicians like "Jabo" Williams, Kingfish Bill Tomlin and Ida Mae Mack. All of it is worth hearing.

Eric Clapton & B.B. King, Riding With The King, Warner Bros. Records

Finally, it's here... The long-awaited collaboration between The King Of The Blues and Slowhand is a tour de force that marks Clapton's triumphant return to the blues, a welcome occurrence after his last stinker, Pilgrim. The atmosphere is loose but well organized and tidy, with both men playing near the top of their individual games, trading licks and lead vocals on blues standards and new rock and pop tunes that fit the disc's format. "Key To The Highway" is performed acoustically, the first time King has ever been recorded in this manner. An air of respect and admiration permeates. Welcome back, Eric. This is where you belong.