Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Gwyneth Paltrow went public first about her marriage breakup to Chris Martin—now it’s the Coldplay frontman’s turn. On “True Love,” Martin sings “I’ve lost you now, you let me go,” before adding in spooky falsetto “Tell me you love me, if you don’t then lie to me.” On “Another’s Arms,” he notes “Late night watching TV, used to be you here beside me.” Surprisingly chilled-out but understandably reflective, the album also includes the singing debut of nine-year-old daughter Apple on the dreamy opener “Always in My Head.”

Allen has a notoriously cheeky side. On her early hits like “LDN” and “Smile,” she delivered witticisms in Cockney over reggae rhythms. Her insouciance caused controversies, but she always remained undeniably charming. After a pair of albums, Lily took a break in 2009 to have two daughters. Now she’s back with her typically brazen observations. On the title track, she expresses fear about rejoining pop’s “changing” game while name-checking frontrunners like Beyoncé. On “URL Badman” and “Silver Spoon,” she skewers online haters and takes a satirical view of her showbiz upbringing. But much of Sheezus is a reflection of married life. Lily’s love for her husband, builder-decorator Sam Cooper, s...

She possesses one of the most distinctive and versatile voices in popular music, giving country-rock its signature sound in the 1970s and later singing everything from Broadway musicals and the American songbook to Mexican standards. A winner of 10 Grammy Awards, Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last week but could not attend for health reasons; she’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which has left her—tragically—unable to sing. This timely compilation showcases the Arizona-born artist’s formidable talent. Besides duets with friends Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, the collection includes her pairings with Bette Midler, James Taylor and Frank Sinatra. Among t...

We all knew little Nikki was destined for greatness. The Montreal jazz wonder, just 20, had already been hailed for her note-perfect Ella Fitzgerald tributes. Now, on her sophomore release, Nikki has blossomed into full divadom, with scintillating Quincy Jones-approved, big-band tracks like the swinging “Something New” and the wickedly soulful “Necessary Evil.”

Arden’s always worn her heart on her sleeve—hit songs like “Unloved” and “Insensitive” are proof of that. The beloved Canadian star keeps confessing on her latest album, with songs of heartbreak like “What About Me?” and “You Forgot You Loved Me.” But Arden then stays afloat with the soaring ballad “I Ain’t Sinkin’ Yet.”

Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” was only the tip of the iceberg. As this compilation shows, Rodgers' had a hand in hits for over three decades. From Chic’s “Le Freak” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” to ’80s blockbusters like David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” the man’s had the Midas touch.

McLachlan’s enjoyed many milestones, winning three Grammys, eight Junos and selling over 40 million albums. She created Lilith Fair, an outreach program for inner-city kids and is mother to two daughters, Taja and India. Now Sarah, 46, is ready for a change. Her eighth album, she says, “is about moving through the second half of my life in a more mindful and meaningful way.” Many of its songs are inspired by her father’s death three years ago. “I had to find my footing again without the anchor of his unconditional love,” she explains. On “Song for My Father,” McLachlan pays touching tribute to him. “You were the place I could always rest my head when my world came undone,” she sings over gui...

Now 68, Dolly keeps on rolling. Her 42nd album is a patchwork quilt of styles, from the opening bluegrass title track, a rollicking train song, to the closing “Try,” an inspirational power-pop ballad. In between, she covers Bob Dylan and even Bon Jovi and displays her characteristic down-home honesty on the stirring backwoods country of “Home.”

It was the biggest blockbuster in a career that has produced many. Recorded in 1973 at “the height of our powers,” as Elton puts it today, in his favorite honky chateau when he was just 26, the album topped worldwide charts and sold over 15 million copies. Now remastered and available in deluxe two-disc and super deluxe five-disc sets, it showcases Elton’s wide musical range and features a “revisited” collection of covers by contemporary artists and his own live performance that year at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Hearing the Rocket Man’s original versions of classics alongside interpretations by young stars like Hunter Hayes and Emeli Sandé reveals the depth of those great songs. Ed Sheeran...

After the King of Pop died in 2009, his record company rushed to cash in on his legacy. Now, in the hands of top producers like Timbaland, Michael’s talent gets the respectful treatment it deserves. Xscape features unreleased songs recorded between 1983 and 1999 and provides them in original demo form and newly produced versions. Highlights include the soulful “Loving You” and the joyous “Love Never Felt So Good,” which also comes as a giddy posthumous duet between Michael and Justin Timberlake. Outtakes never sounded so good.