Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

If judged only by Wham! and arrests on sex and drug charges, it would be easy to dismiss Michael as a bubblegum-pop singer with a dubious past. But 1987’s Faith remains a landmark album. With its blend of genres and mature subject matter, it paved the way for boyband singers like Justin Timberlake to progress into serious solo artists. Along with the rockabilly title track and the still irresistibly funky “I Want Your Sex,” the new edition includes dance remixes, instrumentals and an ecstatic live Stevie Wonder cover.

Martin began livin’ la vida loca after his fiery performance—in leather pants and swiveling pelvis—lit up the 1999 Grammy show and drew a standing ovation. A former member of boyband Menudo, the Puerto Rican singer became a global superstar and has since released albums in both Spanish and English. Here, Martin sings mostly in his native tongue, but wisely offers a feel-good reggae single, “The Best Thing About Me is You,” in both languages—sung in Spanish with Natalia Jiminez and in English with Joss Stone.

Next month’s Grammy Awards promises to be a showdown between rappers Eminem and Jay Z and singer Bruno Mars. Eminem leads with 10 nominations, while Mars and Jay Z received seven and six nods respectively. All three are competing in the top category, Record of the Year, along with Cee Lo Green, whose notoriously catchy, X-rated single “F*** You” (aka “Forget You”) is also up for Song of the Year. While the men may have come out on top, pop’s ladies will be well represented at the 53rd annual edition of the awards, taking place Feb. 11. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Rihanna are strong contenders in all the major categories, including Album of the Year. Gaga, pop’s most flamboyant personality, is ...

The British singer’s first two albums, which sold four million copies, were worlds apart: her self-titled debut was soulful and sunshine-y, while her followup, The Sea, was darker and more poignant, coloured by the death of her husband. This five-song collection is mostly fun and sexy, from covers of Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” to Paul McCartney’s “My Love.” Bailey Rae’s sensuous, jazz-funk remake of Doris Day’s “Que Sera Sera” is a revelation: deliciously slow and reflective.

Hard to believe, but Seattle’s alt-rock heroes are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2011. To kick off the year, which promises deluxe reissues and a Cameron Crowe documentary, Eddie Vedder and company offer this souvenir of performances from their 2003-2010 world tours. Besides the spirited punk covers of Joe Strummer and Johnny Rotten songs, the 18 tracks include such riff-heavy favorites as “Alive,” “Jeremy” and “Spin the Black Circle” that made Pearl Jam America’s most popular band of the ’90s.

Few artists have achieved success in both music and movies more assuredly than Cher. Her career is a classic rags-to-riches story. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian to an Armenian-American truck driver and his wife, she initially found fame with record producer Sonny Bono in the duo Sonny and Cher, becoming darlings of the 1960s pop scene with worldwide hits like “I Got You Babe.” But, ultimately, Cher became more successful on her own, first as a solo recording artist and then as an actress. After establishing herself as a TV personality, renowned for her quick wit and dark beauty, Cher broke into Hollywood in the ’80s with a succession of films that showed her increasing depth as an actress, with Si...

She was known as the First Lady of Song for good reason: during her career, she recorded more than 2,000 songs, all of them sung with her distinctive pitch and phrasing. This CD presents Lady Ella’s best interpretations of the romantic side of the American songbook, including Cole Porter’s “Just One of Those Things” and the Gershwin classic “I’ve Got a Crush on You.” Fitzgerald’s versions of those songs—and others like “Someone to Watch Over Me”—continue to inspire singers today, from Michael Bublé to Lady Gaga.

Sheryl Crow’s been on a roll ever since she made her best-selling 1993 debut, Tuesday Night Music Club. Crow’s songs—buoyant, often sunny takes on life and love—became radio staples and made her a multiple Grammy winner. Fans will feast on this 2-CD set, featuring early hits such as “All I Wanna Do” and “Leaving Las Vegas” and recent favorites like “Good is Good” and “Love is Free.” The collection presents Crow’s signature brand: a mix of gentle, heartfelt ballads and boisterous, feel-good rockers.

Last September, Leonard Cohen turned 76. At the time, he was well into the third year of his World Tour, performing three-hour concerts that consistently drew standing ovations and had critics gushing with superlatives. In all, Cohen performed an extraordinary 246 shows on the tour, with the last taking place on Dec. 11 in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Sun praised his “songs of love, loss and longing” and likened his final concert to a “spiritual celebration.” The iconic Montreal native has routinely drawn such lofty accolades throughout his five-decade career. His poetry and novels such as The Favourite Game and Beautiful Losers are considered masterpieces of Canadian literature. His songs are a...

She once dated Elvis Presley, who convinced the glamorous singer to switch from country to rockabilly music. Jackson became a rock legend, topping the charts with rambunctious hits like “Fujiyama Mama” and “Let’s Have a Party.” Now the Oklahoma native is back and feisty as ever—at 73. Her new album, produced by Jack White, of White Stripes fame, includes modern takes on rock, country and calypso classics and a wickedly good version of Amy Winehouse’s sultry hit “You Know I’m No Good.”