Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

It’d be easy to assume that Powter hasn’t had a bad day since 2006—when “Bad Day,” the piano-pop nugget from his self-titled album, became a worldwide smash. But it wouldn’t be true. Although the Grammy-nominated song sold millions, its massive success was “a blessing and a curse,” he now admits. His subdued followup album stiffed and the Canadian singer-songwriter was at risk of becoming a one-hit wonder. Says Powter: “I actually found myself getting almost angry about it.”             The dark clouds have lifted with Turn on the Lights, which finds Powter returning to the upbeat piano-pop sound that made him famous. The opening “Cupid”...

Fleetwood Mac’s wide-ranging styles are all here, from ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons’ take on the bluesy “Oh Well” to the New Pornographers’ synth-pop version of Tusk nugget “Think About Me.” Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks’ classics “Rhiannon” and “Dreams,” from the best-selling Rumours, are stirred and shaken by Best Coast and the Kills respectively.

Roxy Music epitomized art rock. This box set collects the band’s entire oeuvre, from its debut to Avalon, including the lush hit “More Than This.” Each album retains its original artwork, featuring various models like Jerry Hall that singer Bryan Ferry dated. Also includes alternate mixes of such fan favorites as “Love is the Drug.”

A consummate multi-tasker, Kreviazuk juggles music, humanitarian work and family life with apparent ease. In addition to her Juno-winning career, she’s written hits for other artists, campaigned on behalf of War Child and is raising three sons with her rock star husband Raine Maida, of Our Lady Peace. Never stopping, Kreviazuk performed an orchestrated version of her songbook last summer with the Niagara Symphony. Filmed for an HBO TV special, the concert is now available as a live CD-DVD that includes interviews with Kreviazuk, her family and friends.             Decked out in a candy-cane evening dress, the classically-trained pianist ...

Second only to Bob Marley in reggae popularity, Cliff’s legend was secured by his starring role in the movie The Harder They Come. His latest album, produced by Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, is a punky-reggae party, featuring a cover of the Clash’s “Guns of Brixton” and such vibrant originals as “One More” and “World Upside Down.”

The Bangles’ beauty continues her love affair with 1960s-style pop with the summery groove of third solo album. “Raining” conjures up George Harrison’s chiming Rickenbacker guitar, while “One Day” echoes the Beach Boys’ shimmering harmonies. Hoffs, now 53 and a mother of two, has lost none of her effervescent savvy.

Never count J.Lo out. Although sales of her last two studio albums were disappointing, the global superstar has kept her profile high with movies, fashion lines, endorsements and appearances as a judge on American Idol. Her personal life has also garnered major attention. She was recently ranked the major celebrity on the planet, prompting the Los Angeles Times to name her the decade’s “World’s Greatest Comeback Act.”             Now Lopez is ready to dance her way back to the top of the charts with her first greatest hits collection. The standard version contains 12 tracks, including two new songs: “Dance Again,” her recent smash duet w...

He’s never been an ordinary Joe. Best known for stylish pop hits like “Steppin’ Out” and “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” the English-born artist takes an eclectic approach to Duke Ellington’s music, especially on “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing),” a zany duet with Iggy Pop.

The “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” singer-pianist, now 73, continues to sell out music halls worldwide. This CD, recorded at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2006, features performances of his early classics, later hits like “Laughter in the Rain” and “Love Will Keep Up Together” and duets with his daughter Dara.

He’s basked in the blues and done the swing thing with his Little Big Band, but James also loves to rock out, letting loose on driving tracks here like “I’m Diggin’” and “Stone Faith. The acclaimed guitar slinger also shows his sweeter vocal side, especially on the gospel-tinged “Shed a Little Light.”