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Those looking for clues about his breakup with actress Susan Sarandon will be disappointed. But fans of evocative country-blues ballads will enjoy the debut album by this Oscar-winning actor and director. Robbins sings about a female prophet in “The Book of Josie” and offers Celtic-tinged romance in “You’re My Dare.” Not surprisingly, given Robbins’ activism, his most passionate songs are political in nature: “Lightning Calls,” about meeting Nelson Mandela, and “Tim to Kill,” about a young Iraq war veteran’s tragic tale.

She’s long been one of pop’s top triple threats: a Grammy-winning singer, Golden Globe-actress and a fashion icon with her own clothing line. A performer since the age of seven, Beyoncé is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Together with her husband, rapper Jay-Z, whom she married in 2008, they are Hollywood’s top-earning couple, according to Forbes magazine. But beyond those achievements, Beyoncé is a powerful role model for young women. Her third studio album, I Am…Sasha Fierce, expressed a strong message of female empowerment, especially on the hit singles “If I Were a Boy” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” Now Beyoncé, who parted ways with her father and longtime manage...

Who knew the doctor was so funky? The star of TV’s House, a blues devotee, has made the album of his dreams: singing and playing piano on this delightful tribute to New Orleans. Although he’s joined by some stellar guests, including Sir Tom Jones, Irma Thomas and his hero, Dr. John, the man known to viewers as Dr. Gregory House shines on piano classics like “Tipitina” and “St. James Infirmary” and such vocal numbers as “Buddy Bolden’s Blues” and a rambunctious rendition of “Swanee River.” House rocks.

Buddy Holly, one of rock’s founding fathers, was a huge influence on the Beatles. So it’s no surprise that Paul McCartney is one of 19 artists who pays eclectic tribute to the bespectacled one’s music. McCartney reels off a wild, garage-rock rendition of “It’s So Easy,” while Patti Smith conjures up a gorgeous, Spanish-tinged “Words of Love” and Lou Reed delivers a raw, fuzzed-out take on “Peggy Sue.” Best of all is Florence & the Machine’s Mardi Gras-inspired, horn-fuelled version of the classic “Not Fade Away.”

Dolly Parton remains one of music’s most inspirational figures. A bona fide rags-to-riches story, Parton grew up dirt poor to become magnificently wealthy, with a fortune in excess of $500 million. With homespun humor, she created an iconic persona of big hair and even bigger bosom. But Parton has also done her part for charity and female equality—writing the title track for the movie 9 to 5, in which she co-starred with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, and its musical counterpart that opens in Toronto June 29. Musically, Parton has recorded pop, gospel, bluegrass and mainstream country. Her 41st album, Better Day, is a feel-good country classic. “I wanted to do an album that was very uplifting a...

Much has happened to this Grammy-winning soul singer and poet recently: she gave birth to her first child and then broke up with the boy’s father, who was the drummer in her band. Meanwhile, Scott’s star continued to rise, with major roles in film and TV. Those changes are well reflected on her powerful fourth album. Featuring old-school r&b jams that mix jazz and strings with funky beats, Scott sings, scats and delivers stirring spoken-word confessionals on songs like “Quick,” “Blessed” and the defiant “Womanifesto.”

A successor to a 1996 charity album to promote AIDS awareness, this latest Brazilian compilation is a scorcher. John Legend brings a soulful Latin tinge to the ballad “Love I’ve Never Known,” while Bebel Gilberto offers a sultry “Acabou Chorare.” The best tracks are those that pair Brazilian music legends with international indie stars: Beck and Seu Jorge teaming up on the intoxicating “Tropicália” and ex-Talking Head David Byrne and Caetano Veloso collaborating on the hypnotic “Dreamworld: Marco de Canaveses.”

There comes a time in many artists’ careers when they want to pay tribute to singers and songs that sparked their own creativity. It’s happened with everyone from Linda Ronstadt and Willie Nelson to Rod Stewart, who all recorded classics from the past. Sir Paul McCartney recently announced that he, too, has made an album of pop standards. Now, it’s Olivia Newton-John’s turn. The British-born, Australian-raised star has released Portraits: A Tribute to the Great Women of Song, a collection of 11 songs by vocalists such as Doris Day, Nina Simone and Joan Baez. Says Newton-John, who has sold over 100 million albums worldwide: “This CD was born out of love and respect for these singers and their...

Ever since Gomez and Justin Bieber went public at the Oscars about their romance, pop’s hottest young couple has been making headlines. The Mexican-American singer’s third album is missing a guest duet with boyfriend Biebs, but boasts heavyweight producer Dr. Luke, who helps the 18-year-old tackle Britney Spears’s edgy “Whiplash” and cover Katy Perry’s cheeky “That’s More Like It.” Judging by the sophisticated pop sound of empowerment anthems like “Who Says,” young Gomez is growing up fast.

Steven Tyler initially caused a rift with his bandmates when he became an American Idol judge. But money heals all wounds: the group has seen sales of its recordings soar thanks to the “Dude Looks Like a Lady” singer’s Idol exposure. More sales bumps are in store with Tyler’s forthcoming solo album and this Aerosmith collection. Featuring bluesy power ballads like “Crazy” and the socially conscious “Janie’s Got a Gun,” it includes the classic “Dream On,” which Tyler wailed away on during his Idol season finale.