Although Crowell played in Harris’ legendary Hot Band in the 1970s, this marks their first official collaboration. It’s a match made in heaven. His sturdy tenor perfectly compliments her pristine soprano, as the Grammy-winning veterans duet on bittersweet country ballads and honky-tonk tunes like Crowell’s “Here We Are” and his classic “Bluebird Wine.”
Tegan and Sara Quin attracted a loyal following with melancholic indie rock. But with their seventh CD, the twin sisters have embraced their inner Cyndi Laupers and crafted a surprising ’80s-style pop album, full of surging synths and soaring choruses. With infectious songs like “Goodbye, Goodbye,” heartbreak has rarely sounded so joyous.
It’s been over a decade since Beyoncé eclipsed her girl-group origins. The artist who introduced “bootylicious” to English dictionaries and helped single ladies get over ex-boyfriends has risen to become global superstar. But Destiny’s Child, with cousin Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, has always remained close to her heart. “We all started in the ’90s, when r&b was the most important genre,” recalls Beyoncé. “And we all want that back, the feeling that music gave us. Vintage r&b abounds on this collection of sensuous sounds from Destiny’s Child, who are reuniting to perform at next month’s Super Bowl. Featuring 13 of the group’s most romantic tracks plus one new song, it showca...
Grobanites are accustomed to their hero singing in different languages. Here, Josh duets in Italian with pop star Laura Pausini, tackles Spanish backed by Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and covers the great Stevie Wonder. But the L.A.-born singer-actor is also composing more memorable tunes, co-writing the inspirational “Brave” with Tawgs Salter and Chantal Kreviazuk.
Everyone’s just wild about Harry. The singer-pianist’s breakthrough came in 1989 when his smooth jazz caused Tony Bennett to call him “the next Frank Sinatra.” His lean good looks quickly led to acting, most notably in Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock and lately in TV’s Will & Grace and Law & Order. Recently, Connick Jr. has devoted himself to his New Orleans birthplace, organizing post- Katrina benefits and recording tribute albums like Oh, My Nola. Now the crooning heartthrob—co-founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, New Orleans’ first integrated, celebrity-filled Mardi Gras krewe—has released an album of joyous carnival music. Timed to coincide with Mardi Gras and Orpheus’ 20th anniversa...
Ron’s “forever endeavour” is crafting the perfect album of melancholic pop. A consummate songsmith, he’s accomplished that lofty goal with this collection of bittersweet gems. Set to woodwinds, strings and congas, songs like the reflective “Nowhere to Go” and the raucous “Snake Road” beautifully encapsulate sadness—without ever succumbing to despair.
The New Orleans vocal legend looks like a dockworker and sounds like an angel. He’s lent his sweet voice to collaborations with Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan and Linda Ronstadt. Here, working with Keith Richards and Don Was, he tackles the doo-wop classics of his youth, including sublime covers of “Under the Boardwalk” and “This Magic Moment.”
After walloping the Caribbean, Hurricane Sandy took a devastating toll on the northeastern United States. The powerful storm left parts of New York City underwater and left millions without heat or electricity for weeks. It caused 140 deaths and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of homes. The music community rushed to help, staging a mammoth concert on Dec. 12 to raise money for the victims, reaching over two billion through TV, live streams, radio and theatre simulcasts. More than $30 million was raised through ticket sales alone. Now that superstar-packed concert is available on a two-disc benefit CD. Jersey shore hero Bruce Springsteen delivers an impassioned “Wrecking Ball,” Pau...
Music always rules in Quentin Tarantino movies—remember John Travolta and Uma Thurman dancing to Chuck Berry in Pulp Fiction? The director’s latest is no exception, featuring funk from James Brown, a soulful duet between Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton and an evocative score from spaghetti Western legend Ennio Morricone.
TV’s Shameless star won raves for her singing role in The Phantom of the Opera. On her second CD, Rossum goes retro with classic songs from the 1920s to the ’60s, including a bluesy “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” and a breezy version of the Frank Sinatra favorite “Summer Wind.”
