The latest CD releases reviewed

WOODY GUTHRIE
This Machine Kills Fascists Snapper Music ****

Named after the sticker Guthrie always had on his guitar, this documentary (narrated by Billy Bragg), at well over two hours, comprehensively details Guthrie's life as well as an American era. The singer's deprived background, his later involvement with many left- wing political causes, and his ambivalent attitude towards his own music are all treated well here. There's an insightful commentary from travelling partner Pete Seeger, as well as good contributions from Guthrie's children Arlo and Nora. Unfortunately, there's not much archive footage of Guthrie available, so what you get is standard Depression-era shots. Guthrie's most famous works, This Land Is Your Land and Pastures of Plenty, are given a good analysis, and you come away with a real sense of how and why he has remained such a totemic and influential musician. BRIAN BOYD

POLYPHONIC SPREE
Live from Austin Texas New West ***

The first selection on this outing from the apparently inexhaustible Live from Austin, Texas series is titled Bizarre Prayer. It's so Polyphonic Spree it's a wonder that it hasn't passed into rock lore: many, many people wearing colourful floor-length choir robes mark the opening of the gig with a leisurely procession through the crowd, chanting as they stroll towards the stage. It doesn't get any less weird: songs such as Hanging Around the Day Part 1 and 2, Everything Starts at the Seam and When the Fool Becomes a King are curious little things deserving of both investigation and suspicion. Performances from the assembled unit, meanwhile, are akin to an ensemble major wig-out. No extras, but with a band as multilegged as this one, there's hardly any need, is there? TONY CLAYTON-LEA