Here's a look at five recently released CDs that caught the eye of Spectator music editor Graham Rockingham (grockingham@thespec.com, 905-526-3331)

CSNY

Deja Vu Live

Reprise/Warner

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Last year's CSNY tour was a really good idea. Releasing a live CD from it wasn't. On record, much of Neil Young's earnest "impeach the president/stop the war" message sounds sophomoric. David Crosby and Graham Nash are in fine singing form, but Stephen Stills' voice on the classic Wooden Ships is painful. If you want to hear what these four were capable of, get ahold of 1974's Four Way Street and take in the guitar jam on Carry On.

Jaydee Bixby

Cowboys and Cadillacs

HRM/Fontana

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It's like I've heard this album a thousand times before by a hundred other country singers whose names I try to forget. There's nothing wrong with this debut album from last year's Canadian Idol runnerup. There's just nothing that makes it stand out. It's a collection of stale cliches, put together to take advantage of the kid's 15 minutes of fame. There are some strong moments, particularly the Patrick McGraw-penned My So-Called Life and the shmaltzy Broken Windows. Jaydee has a great voice, but he still needs some time to make it his own.

Buddy Guy

Skin Deep

Silvertone/Zomba/Sony BMG

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Buddy Guy is pretty much the greatest living practitioner of electric blues guitar in the world (I use the qualifier "pretty much" out of respect to B.B. King fans). There are only a few who come close, including Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks and Robert Randolph. Luckily, all three are featured on Guy's latest guitar feast, Skin Deep. The duet with Clapton on Every Time I Sing The Blues is spine-tingling good.

Brendan Canning

Something For All Of Us

Arts and Crafts

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There's sometimes a fine line between noise and art. Brendan Canning has enjoyed walking that line with Toronto's Broken Social Scene. Now he's drawing the line a little finer with his solo debut. He pulls it off successfully with the help of a strong contingent of BSS friends such as guitarist Andrew Whiteman and keyboardist/bassist Kevin Drew and singers Amy Millan and Lisa Lobsinger. When you've got somebody like Whiteman playing guitar for you, even the noise sounds good.

The Charlatans

You Cross My Path

Cooking Vinyl/Koch

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This is everything a modern rock album should be -- nostalgic, but cutting edge; disturbing but celebratory; danceable but contemplative. Over the years, this Manchester band has learned to draw inspiration from the best of the '60s, '70s and '80s. They have a straight-to-the-point sound with just enough psychedelia to keep it interesting.