The Flatlanders: Now Again

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * )

This west Texas outfit of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely had a short life in the early 70s, then the main men pursued creditable solo careers. Because of that, the Flatlanders were considered "more a legend than a band" (also a posthumous album title) - but the legend lives again, with the distinctive singer-songwriters here reunited as a group after 30 years.

Little, however, matches their seminal work or the high points of their solo careers, but talent this seasoned will always deliver, and among these 14 songs are some gems, notably Gilmore's high nasal whine on Utah Phillips' Going Away, the twanging Wildest Dreams, the Hancock-led Wreck, Yesterday Was Judgement Day ("How did you do?") and the delicately simple All You Are Love. But all up, one for fans or completists.

Label: New West/Elite