Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

With his handsome dark looks and deep melancholic croon, the California singer and actor easily channels  early Elvis Presley. For his last album, Beyond the Sun, Isaak actually ventured to Memphis to cover the King and other legends on the iconic Sun Records label like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. This time around, the “Wicked Game” singer took his muse to Nashville and worked with some of Music City’s finest songwriters and session musicians. The result is a collection that bristles with originality while still paying homage to heroes. The rollicking “Down in Flames” cites both Elvis and Hank Williams in its lyrics, while the piano-driven “Running Down the Road” is pure Jerry Lee-...

Elvis Costello is one of pop’s most inventive composers—he once penned a song called “Everyday I Write the Book,” which brilliantly drew parallels between romance and a wordsmith’s craft. Now the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has actually written a book, a memoir called Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, in which he cleverly weaves stories about his life, jazz-musician wife Diana Krall and assorted music-legend friends. He’s also compiled 38 songs on two discs that compliment the themes and stories in his book. The collection draws from his impressive song catalogue, including early hits like “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives” to numbers co-written with the likes of George Jones, All...

The King of Rock & Roll backed by strings and brass? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. Elvis had diverse musical tastes and was a big fan of opera singer Mario Lanza. “This is the album he always would have wanted to do,” says Priscilla Presley, the singer’s former wife. Added Priscilla, who approved the pairing of Elvis’ vocals with brand-new accompaniment by London’s Royal Philharmonic: “He would have loved to play with such a prestigious symphony orchestra.” Released for his 80th birthday, the collection is a reminder of Elvis’ emotive power, whether on familiar songs like “Love Me Tender” or the inspirational title track. Italian operatic pop trio Il Volo joins Elvis on a robust ...

What a time to be Drake. The Grammy-winning Toronto hip-hop star’s mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, released in February, is one of the year’s most successful recordings, with sales of over one million. This summer, the former actor born Aubrey Graham became embroiled in a mud-slinging beef with the rapper Meek Mill over ghostwriting accusations. Now Drake has released another bestselling mixtape. Recorded quickly with Atlanta rapper Future, the collection presents the MCs’ contrasting styles: Drake’s sharp raps and Future’s spaced-out drawls. The best collaborations are the booming “Jumpman” and the hypnotic “Diamonds Dancing.” The last two tracks are solo efforts, with Future’...

The enigmatic chanteuse once described herself as the “gangsta Nancy Sinatra.” On her latest release, Lana Del Rey embraces the tragic siren of 1950s and ’60s pop, mixing cinematic influences to create an ethereal soundtrack that is deliciously retro. It can get a little spooky. On the narcotically slow title track, Del Rey sings, “we both know the history of violence that surrounds you.” It’s clear that she’s resigned herself to the magnetic attraction of “Mr. Born to Lose.” On the sultry “Freak,” she urges her lover to “come to California and be a freak like me.” And she sounds every bit the tortured lover on the windswept “High By the Beach” when she sings, “I can’t survive, if this is al...

Jewel made her stunning debut with Pieces of You, a collection of starkly honest folk songs. A lot of has transpired for the Alaskan native in the 20 years since, including pop stardom, a marriage, a son, a divorce and brief forays into country and children’s music. Now the 41-year-old multiple Grammy nominee has returned to her folk roots with an album that neatly bookends her best-selling debut. The recording, which features brand new songs and previously unrecorded live favourites, lays bare the emotions of the woman who once sang “Who Will Save Your Soul.” Some of it is shockingly candid, especially the anguished “Love Used to Be,” the frightening “His Pleasure is My Pain” and the howlin...

Anyone who’s seen the video for Alessia Cara’s song “Here” (and over five million people have) know that this 19-year-old from Brampton, Ont. is destined for big things. The song, one of five featured on her debut Four Pink Walls, shows Cara to be a wise-beyond-her-years talent. The lyrics suggest a wallflower at a house party, but it becomes clear she’s nobody’s fool, just not interested in superficial socializing. Her maturity is evident on “Seventeen,” about growing up too fast. When Cara sings about falling in love, “I’m Yours,” it’s no simple surrender; she takes her boyfriend to task for “melting this heart of iron.” Closer vocally to Lorde than Ariana Grande and with a smooth, hip-hop...

Abel Tesfaye, better known as the Weeknd, is ready for his close up. The 25-year-old Torontonian, who was raised by his single Ethiopian-Canadian mother, first came to wide attention when Drake featured him on key tracks for his Take Care album. The alt-r&b singer then landed a hit song, “Earned It,” on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. Recently, the Weeknd’s star went supernova, thanks to his smash “Can’t Feel My Face” becoming the undisputed song of the summer. Now Tesfaye has a new album that includes those songs plus another dozen deliciously moody and melodic numbers, including the suitably dark “Dark Times” with Ed Sheeran and the woozy “Prisoner” featuring Lana Del Rey. Along w...

Canada’s pop queen faced a frightening prospect trying to match the success of her worldwide smash “Call Me Maybe.” But rather than duplicate the song, which inspired endless covers, parodies and celebrities lip-dubs, Carly Rae Jepsen experimented. For her new album the 29-year-old native of Mission, B.C. sought out a diverse range of writers and producers. The result is a sugar rush of ’80s-style synth sounds with some refreshing hints of sadness. Songs like the infectious “I Really Like You” explore Jepsen’s specialty: the infatuations and flirtations of first love. Nods to the ’80s include “Boy Problems,” a Madonna-style disco number, and “All That,” which boasts a Prince-like sensuality....

She’s hardly a newcomer, but 44-year-old Amy Helm is finding her own voice. She grew up as the daughter of Levon Helm, legendary drummer for the Band. Amy recorded three albums with country quartet Ollabelle and spent a decade in the Midnight Ramble band with her dad, who died in 2012. Now the mother of two has released Didn’t It Rain, her stunning solo debut that features Levon’s final sessions. Highlights include Amy’s inspired gospel opener and her soulful version of the Sam Cooke classic “Good News.” Her father can be heard drumming on three tracks and counting off the intro to “Spend Our Last Dime.” Says Amy proudly: “He had a vision for me before I had it for myself.”