This is inspired: the Divine Miss M covers 15 girl group classics, from the pre-war era through the Sixties and beyond. Midler brings her vivacious vocals to gems by the Boswell Sisters and the Supremes. Highlights include her duet with Darlene Love on an exuberant version of the Crystals’ “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” and her stark, heartbreaking rendition of TLC’s 1995 r&b hit “Waterfalls.”
“There was no one like her,” says impresario Clive Davis, who has assembled Whitney’s best live moments on CD and DVD. Included are such memorable tracks as her 1985 delivery of “You Give Good Love” on The Tonight Show, her “Star Spangled Banner” at the 1991 Super Bowl and her stunning “I Will Always Love You” at the 1994 Concert for a New South Africa.
The suave singer can’t shirk his Roxy Music association—not that he’s trying. His last album gave a 1920s spin to Roxy classics and he rearranged “Love is the Drug” for The Great Gatsby. Bryan’s latest, whose title even hints at the group’s Avalon album, boasts guests like Nile Rodgers and Mark Knopfler and music that resembles Roxy’s lush sound, especially on “Driving Me Wild.”
As audacious as she is bodacious, the New York rapper-singer has generated no shortage of controversy with the video for “Anaconda,” the booty-praising first single from her third album. Some have charged that the jungle-themed video verges on pornography, while others claim it raises twerking to an art form. Either way, the notoriety has pushes sales of the single to platinum levels.
Life’s been a whirlwind ever since the self-described “shy church volunteer” from Scotland became a singing sensation on Britain’s Got Talent. Boyle’s talent and humble beginnings have inspired millions—and inspiration is the theme of her sixth album, as the global star covers songs ranging from folk ballads and spirituals to Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
The Grammy-winning band’s latest serves up 12 tracks of solid pop-rock. Frontman Pat Monahan says the title is “a way to describe Train—having dodged bullets all these years and still existing as artists.” From the Police-like thrust of “Cadillac, Cadillac” to the western-tinged “Angel in Blue Jeans,” it’s an album with undeniable staying power.
Streisand's done it all, winning Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and Grammys. She’s revered not only as a singer—who, at 72, still possesses remarkably strong pipes—but as a performer who has always maintained exceptionally high standards. Her latest is a followup to her 2002 Duets album. This time, the Brooklyn-born star chose to pair her pristine mezzo-soprano with a dozen distinctive male voices, ranging from Josh Groban and Michael Bublé to Billy Joel and Andrea Bocelli, on some of her best-known songs. Stevie Wonder joins her on vocals and harmonica for a Latin-tinged “People,” while Lionel Richie cozies up to her on “The Way We Were.” Surprises include a virtual duet with Elvis Presley and Barbra...
Petty’s 13th studio album with his Heartbreakers band rocks out in the best old-school way. The fuzz guitar of the opening “American Dream Plan B” is classic Sixties rock, while “Red River” is a robust, organ-driven number that would do Springsteen proud. At 63, the Hall of Fame musician shows no signs of letting up.
The former Rilo Kiley frontwoman has some famous lady friends—including Kristen Stewart and Anne Hathaway, who appear in the hilarious video for the breezy, Beck-produced track “Just One of the Guys.” But Lewis is a star in her own right and shines brightly on whipsmart songs like “Head Under Water” and the dreamy “Slippery Slopes.”
When Sinéad burst forth in 1990 with her riveting performance of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” the Irish singer seemed destined for superstardom. With her shaved head and emotionally charged vocals, there was no one like her. But Sinéad proved to be as difficult as she was talented, famously refusing her Grammy Award and infamously tearing up the Pope’s photo on Saturday Night Live. Since then, controversies triggered by her strong views on organized religion and women’s rights have continued to follow her, even as she’s made critically acclaimed recordings. Now the outspoken mother of four has released her 10th studio album, which she calls simply “a set of love songs.” Romance is at the...
