Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Along with the Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club, the Blind Boys are the coolest septuagenarians on the planet. The gospel veterans’ latest features rapper Gift of Gab from Blackalicious on the Fatboy Slim-Macy Gray track “Demons,” organ genius Billy Preston on Blind Faith’s “Presence of the Lord” and Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo on an ultra-hip remake of Norman Greenbaum’s gospel-rock gem “Spirit in the Sky.” Ultimately, the Boys’ infectious spirit is powerful enough to save a million lost souls.

Led by bearded, tunic-sporting, garage-rock guru Ebbot Lundberg, Soundtrack is the granddaddy of the Swedish underground invasion. The band’s last album, Behind the Music, established a North American beachhead, with a hit single, “Sister Surround,” that mixed influences ranging from The Doors, Led Zeppelin and MC5. But where Swedish bands like The Hives, Sahara Hotnights and (International) Noise Conspiracy keep things fresh, Soundtrack’s paint-by-numbers psych approach is beginning to wear a little thin.

The Ramones were the Rodney Dangerfields of punk, misanthropes in leather who got no respect. This first-rate DVD documentary leaves no doubt that The Ramones deserve to be remembered as principled pioneers, with thrilling live footage and moving testimony from the likes of Clash frontman Joe Strummer. But the best tribute comes from ex-manager Danny Fields, who says the band and Joey, who died in 2001, “triumphed over geekiness and liberated millions of people from their sense of failure and unpopularity.”

An experimental classical group with a reverential following at Halifax’s St. Mary’s Basilica, where it performs, Sanctuary offers a mixed blessing on its major-label debut. At its best, the ensemble—organist Peter Togni, cellist Christoph Both and bass-clarinetist Jeff Reilly—delves into the world of Philip Glass, conjuring up exotic nature noises and stark, meditative interpretations of Gregorian chant. But too often, Sanctuary simply creates the predictably atmospheric sounds of so many movie soundtracks.

The legendary r&b preacher returns from his Grammy-winning comeback album, Don’t Give Up on Me, with another superb collection of soulful covers. Produced by Don Was, it features Burke’s signature voice on Hank Williams’ cautionary “Wealth Won’t Save Your Soul” and Coco Montoya’s “I Need Your Love in My Life.” Even better is the horn-filled version of Bob Dylan’s “What Good Am I?” And Burke captures the lonely ache of Robbie Robertson’s “It Makes No Difference” even better than The Band.

Before her debut album arrived, the London-based Sri Lankan singer, born Maya Arulpragasam, was already an underground sensation. Influenced by Canada’s electro-punk bad girl Peaches, M.I.A. has concocted a striking style that blends political messages with elements of Jamaican dancehall, American hip-hop, British grime and beyond. “Sunshowers,” which cites the PLO, has a hypnotic, Eastern vibe, while “Galang” is a bracing mix of street slang and abrasive rhythms. Oddly captivating.

Like a hip teacher, ex-Moxy Früvous member Mike Ford gives life to historical figures usually confined to textbooks. Songs like the boisterous “Turn Them Ooot!” and the peppy “La Patriote” reference 1837 Rebellion leaders Mackenzie and Papineau, while the garage-y “Sir John A – You’re OK” serves as a rock tribute to our first PM. And Ford’s version of “I’ve Been Everywhere,” rhyming off Canadian place names at twice the speed of Hank Snow or Stompin’ Tom, makes the CD a treat. Curriculum-approved, too.

Her record label cites Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. And the 20-year-old native of Glendora, California does have something in common with those artists: her producer, Eric Rosse, worked with Amos, while her drummer, Matt Chamberlain, recorded with both Amos and Apple. But Nalick lacks the depth of those artists. On tracks like “Breathe (2 a.m.),” “Citadel” and “Paper Bag,” she’s closer to Jewel, Meredith Brooks or Natalie Imbruglia. While Nalick’s debut album is respectable enough, it’s just not distinctive. Mar. 15

As leader of Australia’s Silverchair, Daniel Johns was plagued with anorexia and arthritis. But lately things have been looking up. First, the 25-year-old wunderkind conquered his ailments and married Aussie hottie Natalie Imbruglia. Now, this project with electronic producer Paul Mac (think Beach Boys crossed with Brian Eno and Polyphonic Spree) is paying dividends. Songs like “Young Men, Old Man” and the instrumental “Lifting the Veil from the Braille” amount to dreamy, irresistible ear candy. Mar. 15   

The gritty singer of Blood, Sweat and Tears released an admirable blues album with 1998’s Blue Plate Special. Here, Clayton-Thomas tackles a smorgasbord of genres, from blues numbers and folk ballads to jazz standards, with mixed results. While his booming style is well suited to bluesy workouts like “Mercy Lord Above” and “Wild Women & Po’ Boys,” it’s badly misplaced on delicate tunes like Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain” and Joni Mitchell’s “River.” Still, give the man credit for attempting this artistic stretch. Mar. 15