Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

The country music superstar has been blowing away listeners ever since taking the American Idol crown in 2005. The five-time Grammy winner, married to Nashville Predator hockey star Mike Fisher, has stood out with massive vocals and songs filled with both pop hooks and country twang. Underwood’s fourth album promises to fulfill her crossover dreams. “I didn’t want the production to undersell the story,” she says. “I wanted everything to be bigger, more dramatic and fun.”             Blown Away opens with three dark, dramatic songs, including the rocker “Good Girl,” that find Underwood exploring revenge and death subject matter. But the m...

His fans, known as Glamberts, will be thrilled that the former American Idol contestant’s much-delayed second album is finally here. Working with heavyweights like Pharrell Williams, Dr. Luke and Bruno Mars, the Glam One cranks up the funk on tracks like “Cuckoo,” the title track and “Shady,” featuring Nile Rodgers.

An actress, producer and wife of Tom Hanks, Wilson longed to become a singer—and now she has. On her debut album, she delivers heartfelt covers of hits from the 1960s and 70s, including Joni Mitchell’s “River” and the Everly Brothers’ “All I Have to Do is Dream,” joined by friends like Sheryl Crow and Faith Hill.

Canadian soprano Brueggergosman is one of the brightest stars of the opera world, with classical performances and recordings acclaimed by critics and conductors alike. But the Fredericton, New Brunswick native is also a glamorous media celebrity. Currently a judge on TV’s popular Canada’s Got Talent, she will soon have a starring role in an upcoming episode of Murdoch Mysteries.             Now, to complete her crossover dreams, Brueggergosman has released a pop album. A collection of 13 standards co-produced with pianist-arranger Aaron Davis, the album ranges from songs by Feist and Ron Sexsmith to Cole Porter’s “Miss Otis Regrets”...

“I’m Yours,” a huge hit with sales of over 21 million, made him the master of the island-flavored love song. But heartbreak has tempered the sunny vibes on Mraz’s new album with brave and mellow confessionals like “I Won’t Give Up” and “The Woman I Love.”

Her first album since the deaths of her parents and brother, this collection of cover songs showcases Raitt’s purring voice and fiery slide guitar. Highlights include her bluesy take on Bob Dylan’s “Million Miles” and reggae treatment of Gerry Rafferty’s “Right Down the Line.”

Rufus Wainwright’s life is full of drama. In 2009, Rufus earned a Grammy nomination for his recreation of Judy Garland’s famous Carnegie Hall concert and saw the premiere of his opera, Prima Donna. More recently, he experienced the death of his mother, singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle, the birth of his daughter, Viva, and his engagement to arts administrator Jörn Weisbrodt. Now Wainwright reflects on his tumultuous past with the exquisite Out of the Game, which he calls “the most pop album I’ve ever made.” Featuring contributions from his sister Martha, Sean Lennon and retro-soul crew the Dap Kings, the CD includes tributes to Kate (the accordion-flecked “Candles”), Viva (the breezy “Montau...

She’s best known for her bestselling album Tapestry. But King also penned hits for other artists. Along with songs associated with the Everly Brothers and the Monkees, this collection of previously unreleased tracks includes King’s version of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” later one of Aretha Franklin’s signature songs.

Many fans have made pilgrimages to Toronto’s Massey Hall to attend the Canadian legend’s annual concerts. This album is a Lightfoot lover’s dream: 19 songs recorded in the hallowed hall between 1998-2001—exactly as they were performed. Includes such early classics as “Sundown” and later favorites like “A Painter Passing Through.”

Anyone who saw Bridesmaids knows the ladies in Wilson Phillips are back. Here, the daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson Mamas and Papas John and Michelle Phillips pay tribute to their parents with sublime, harmony-drenched renditions of evergreen hits like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Dedicated to the One I Love.”