Banjo player Alison Brown, who was a child prodigy, releases Fair Weather, while another posthumous collection of Jeff Buckley's brooding, romantic songs also is due.

Emmylou Harris' Last Date and Cimarron albums — previously available on CD only overseas — are being re-released with new liner notes by Brian Mansfield.

(Click here for a full report about this week's releases.)

May 9 album releases:

Alison Brown, Fair Weather (Compass) — Unconventional banjo star circles back to bluegrass from extended jazz outings. Features eight of Brown's original instrumentals, plus guests Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, David Grimmer, Vince Gill, Tony Rice, Missy Rains and singers Claire Lynch and Tim O'Brien.

Jeff Buckley, Mystery White Boy (Columbia) — Twelve previously unreleased live performances from the late folk-rock star, whose premature death eerily echoed that of his father, jazzy folk troubadour Tim Buckley.

Billy Burnette, Are You With Me Baby (FreeFalls Entertainment) — The former Fleetwood Mac sideman, a prolific songwriter (Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Gregg Allman) and son of '50s rocker Dorsey Burnette serves up 13 tracks of good-time, guitar-based rockabilly.

Dead Grass, Dead Grass (Cedar Glen Music) — Venerated bluegrass-country fiddler Vassar Clemens, who played with the Grateful Dead in concert and on a few of their albums, pays tribute to them with an ensemble that includes mandolinist Butch Baldassari, Americana singer/songwriter Jeff White, guitarist Reggie Harris and California singer Gwen Vaughn. Eleven bluegrass-dressed tracks include "Casey Jones," "Friend of the Devil," "Alabama Getaway," "Mexicali Blues."

Rick Derringer, Jackhammer Blues (Blues Bureau) — More heavy blues-rock guitar from Johnny and Edgar Winter's' old bandmate, released on blues offshoot of heavy-metal Shrapnel label group.

Dusty Trails, Dusty Trails (Division One/Atlantic) — Eclectic instrumentation plus guest appearances by Emmylou Harris ("Order Coffee") and Luscious Jackson's Jill Cunniff; mix of quirky originals and instrumentals influenced by spaghetti-western and

film-noir soundtracks.

Stacey Earle, Dancin' With Them That Brung Me (Gearle/E-Squared) — Little sister of singer/songwriter Steve Earle produces second disc of literate tunesmithing, which includes cover of Steve's "Promise You Anything." Sheryl Crow and Byron House are among the guest musicians.

Sue Foley, Love Comin' Down (Shanachie) — Helmed by Bruce Cockburn producer Colin Linden, the latest album from sultry Texas blues-rock singer/songwriter and guitarist includes guest vocal by Lucinda Williams.

4 Bitchin' Babes, Beyond Bitchin' (Shanachie) — First studio outing in four years from popular group features straightforward folk tunes as well as trademark wisecracking satire such as "Viagra."

Emmylou Harris, Cimarron and Last Date (Eminent) — Digitally remastered re-releases offer new liner notes, lyric sheets and bonus tracks.

Sonya Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs (Lyric Street/Hollywood) — Mandolin-playing lead singer for bluegrass/gospel group the Isaacs makes solo Nashville country debut with producer Vince Gill, who lends his tenor to "The Battlefield." Other guests on the 12-track disc include brother Ben Isaacs and country stars Dolly Parton, Steve Wariner, Chely Wright, Joe Diffie and Rodney Crowell.

Bob Lowery, Yellow Light (Cayman/E-Squared) — Backed by a crew of respected East Coast players, folk troubadour Lowery plays guitar, harmonica and dobro for 10 rootsy tunes on his label debut, which is also the debut of the label.

North Mississippi Allstars, Shake Hands With Shorty (Tone-Cool/Mercury) —

Much-buzzed-about band featuring Cody and Luther Dickinson (sons of revered Memphis musician Jim Dickinson) and gospel bassist Chris Chew come up with exploratory

hill-country boogie blues, with a modern-day tip of the hat to Fred McDowell.

Suzzy Roche, Songs From an Unmarried House (Red House) — After several years of devoting herself to theater and family life, one-third of respected sibling act (the Roches) sticks to articulate, lyrical folk on first solo venture.

Robin Spielberg, Beautiful Dreamer (North Star) — Lullabies on solo piano, including "Puff, the Magic Dragon," "Edelweiss" and "Inch Worm."

Mack Stevens, Texas Heat (Rollin Rock) — The uninhibited rockabilly guitarist unleashes 15 more anthems to the wild side, including "Yo Te Dije," "Benzedrine, Dexedrine," "Rocket Ride To Uranus" and "Psycho."

Louise Taylor, Written in Red (Signature) — Eleven songs from the distinctive singer/songwriter, whose dusky vocals and bluesy fingerpicking are accompanied by Cherish the Ladies flutist Joannie Madden, blues guitarist Ray Bonneville and percussionist Dean Sharp.