Joe Ely, Live @ Antones, Rounder Records

Lubbock, Texas native Joe Ely's live performances have reached near-legendary status, so what better place to record him than Antone's, perhaps the best-known music venue in Austin. The scrappy singer/songwriter/guitarist delivers a high-energy set of originals and the occasional cover, encompassing rock, folk, blues, R&B and Mexican influences, giving his hot band plenty of room in the process. This is an intense live disc, one not to be missed.

The Breetles, Writerscramp, Permanent Press Records

New Jerseyan Chris Breetveld is The Breetles, playing most of the instruments and writing all the tunes on this three-sided double disc. Breetveld's forte is upbeat power pop, with just a touch of quirk eccentricity and charm to make it a highly effective collection. The songs are uniformly excellent and the performances are equally impressive.

Johnny Cash, Love, God, Murder, Columbia/Legacy Records

There are many Johnny Cash "best of" collections out there, but this one was assembled and produced by none other than "the man in black" himself. Each disc sets a mood and the results are spectacular. Johnny Cash is a national treasure, and this is the best of the best.

Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, Man Without A Home, Armadillo Records

Bridges is a young blues guitarist with a strong stylistic resemblance to B.B. King and Robert Cray. Most of the songs are originals and Bridges acquits himself nicely all around. Good stuff.

Galactic, Late For The Future, Capricorn Records

Galactic is a young six-man band from New Orleans who mix funk, rock and jazz influences into an eclectic, adventurous assortment of instrumental jams that evoke the spirit of Naw'lins' rich musical heritage. Drummer Stanton Moore is one bad "mutha," as are his band mates. If you like the new crop of funky jam bands, Galactic will crank your tractor. Recommended.

Young Dubliners, Red Omtown Records

Young Dubliners, as could be expected by their name, use ancient Celtic shadings to flesh out their music, which is melodic yet forceful mainstream rock. The "Irishness" never overtakes, as it does with other bands like Black 47, but serves as a pleasant addition to strong material and performances. Accessible and very high quality. Worth checking out.

Paul Rodgers, Electric, CMC International Records

Vocalist Paul Rodgers, late of Free and Bad Company, returns with a solid collection of hard-as-nails rockers and oftentimes-wistful ballads. Although Rodgers's lyrics sometimes border on the ridiculous ("Kazam Kazungle/You're the King of the Jungle") or mawkish sentimentality and quasi-mysticism ("How our spirits they danced/On the tide of universal love"), all told, Electric is a good effort from one of rock's best singers.

The Boilers, Tuned Up, Ranchola Records

The Boilers might be the THE quintessential All-American bar band. These Brandy Station, Virginia natives mine the never-ending vein of roots rock 'n roll, blues and boogie with an endless supply of high energy and excitement. Most of the material is original and it's all excellent. Buy Tuned Up and support real rock 'n roll! Contact The Boilers at PO Box 216, Brandy Station, VA 22714.

John Mooney, Gone To Hell, Blind Pig Records

Slide guitarist John Mooney mixes Delta blues with New Orleans R&B into a sometimes frightening and always exhilarating stew on his latest, and first for Blind Pig. Mooney apprenticed with first-generation bluesman Son House in Rochester, NY in the sixties, and has battled his own substance demons. Now clean and sober, Mooney is a musician with hard life experiences that breed great blues. He's paid his dues and sings and plays the blues... with heart and soul.

Static Street Idlers, Static Street Idlers, self-release

The Static Street Idlers from Oregon are, like The Boilers, a hot, rockin' bar band who mix country music with the stripped-down roots influences. One can hear The Stones, John Lee Hooker, Gram Parsons, Buck Owens and others within their songs, all of which have something to offer the listener. Get your copy by writing to the band at 193 Northwest 6th St., Ontario, OR 97914; calling (208) 741-6002 or by visiting www.staticstreet.com.

Stan Webb, Jersey Lightning, Indigo Records

Former Chicken Shack guitarist Stan Webb has never made much of a commercial impression in this country but continues to draw faithful crowds in his native England and in Europe, where he attained almost-legendary status. These tracks, recorded between 1975 and 1978, run the stylistic gamut from heartland rock to 12-string folky jangle to blues. Most of it is quite listenable and seems to have withstood the test of time, a sure sign of quality.

Caught Live: On July 1, I traveled to the Jersey shore with old friends to catch The Who at PNC Arts Center. I've been a Who fan since 1966 and have seen them during their good and bad days. Despite advancing middle age, The Who showed no signs of slowing down as Pete Townsend windmilled power chords and commanded the stage the way he did in 1971. Vocalist Roger Daltrey has lost nothing either, bassist John Entwhistle played astonishingly well and drummer Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, evoked the memory of the late Keith Moon with his aggressive yet controlled playing. If you get the chance to see The Who live this summer, don't hesitate, despite the high price of tickets. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.