Duets
The Blind Boys of Alabama formed during the Depression when the boys first met at the Talladega Institute for the Deaf and Blind. Clarence Fountain and his young friends began a music tradition that would last into a new century, continuing their gospel mission through music despite many lucrative offers for Rhythm and Blues. Over the years the Blind Boys have appeared as guest artists on albums by Ben Harper, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Solomon Burke and others. For the first time these “duets” have been gathered into a one-of-a-kind collection, including a bonus of 3 new recordings with Lou Reed, John Hammond, and Toots Hibbert.
The Fall
Pop/rock, contemporary jazz vocalist and pianist Norah Jones scored her first #1 Billboard hit with her debut Come Away With Me in 2002 and along with that impressive success five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. Daughter of celebrated sitarist Ravi Shankar, Geetali Norah Jones Shankar, who shortened her name with her father’s blessing at age sixteen, grew up listening to the music of Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, and Willie Nelson. Those influences are evident in her creation of jazz, bluesy country, contemporary folk and pop/rock melodies, her accomplished piano work, and ethereal vocals. The Fall features the lead single “Chasing Pirates” aired on VH1 in October.
If On A Winter’s Night
Music critic Stephen Erlewine describes Sting’s new holiday album as “a holiday album for people who have never wanted to hear a holiday album, let alone own one.” (AMG) Not unexpected fare from the former lead singer and songwriter for The Police (“Every Breath You Take”) whose numerous solo albums include Songs From the Labyrinth: the Lute Songs of John Dowland (1563-1626). While not the radio-friendly ditties heard every holiday season, these traditional carols, “Gabriel’s Message”, “Cherry Tree Carol”, “The Hurdy Gurdy Man”, and the original Sting composition “The Hounds of Winter” are a welcome addition to the holiday season and sure to enchant.
Southern Voice
“Hank Williams sang it, Number 3 drove it, Chuck Berry twanged it, Will Faulkner wrote it.” So begins the title song on the album the critics are calling Tim McGraw’s “rockiest album ever.” The top-selling Contemporary Country artist, who replaced Garth Brooks as Country’s number one top male singer, has enjoyed a string of hit albums from 1994’s Not A Moment Too Soon to his last LP, 2007’s Let It Go. Marriage to Country lady Faith Hill brought the couple to super star status and a crossover into mainstream pop with songs “It’s Your Love” and “I Need You.”
Unbroken
American Idol’s Season 5 runner-up (lost to Taylor Hicks) Katharine McPhee co-wrote the majority of pop melodies on this sophomore album, featuring songs that speak from the heart about the vagaries of life. Her previous LP, the self-titled Katharine McPhee released in 2007, climbed the Billboard charts all the way to the #2 position. Unbroken reveals a more intimate portrait of this young singer’s journey of self-discovery and new beginnings, as outwardly evidenced by her transformation from long-haired brunette to beguiling blonde.
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