CD 03092: Bill Morrissey: Songs of Mississippi John Hurt. The legendary Mississippi John Hurt died in 1966, the same year Bill Morrissey, a contemporary folk singer/songwriter, first heard his music. Morrisey had a simple and laconic style that well suits Hurt's music, which combined blues, folk and country influences to produce a sweet, gentle and rhythmic sound that still draws favor from musicians in all those genres. *ac*bl*cf*tf

CD 03091: Red House Painters: Songs for a Blue Guitar. Red House Painters formed in San Francisco in 1989 and were active throughout the 1990s. The group's leader, singer/songwriter Mark Kozelek, was known for "his very personal and emotional songs of despair, pain and suffering" (wikipedia.org). The group's music has been described as Indie rock, folk rock, or dream pop, but in general they were one of the leaders of the so-called "slowcore" movement in alternative rock. This CD is one of their later ones, from 1996. *ar

CD 03090: Mos Def: The New Danger. Mos Def's career began in the 1990s, and he has since become a major star both as a rap artist and screen actor (multiple award nominations for each). He is one of the leaders of socially conscious rap and has been associated with a number of related political and social causes. This album achieved Gold status and reached the top 5 on Billboard. *hi*pc

CD 03089: Terry Reid: Terry Reid. Terry Reid, rock singer and guitarist, has been active since the mid-1960s, when he was hanging around with people like Graham Nash, Jimmy Page, and the Rolling Stones, and opening for many of them in concert. This critically acclaimed solo album was released in 1969. Several years later Reid moved largely behind the scenes, concentrating on sessions work, mostly for well-known American performers like Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. *eg*rk

CD 03088: John Hammond: I Can Tell. This early (1967) John Hammond collection features Hammond on vocals, harmonica, and acoustic guitar, and an all-star supporting cast including Bill Wyman, Duane Allman, the significant portion of the group that would become The Band, and others. The material: well, the blues, of course, with covers of classics by the likes of Willie Dixon, Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry... *ag*bl

CD 03087: Del McCoury: High Lonesome and Blue. This 2004 release has an apt title, perfectly descriptive of the music of one of bluegrass music's leading citizens. How prominent is he? Well, he's won 31 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, and been their Entertainer of the Year four consecutive times. *bg

CD 03086: The Fugs: The Fugs First Album. I would not blame you if you don't know The Fugs; they were never very well known. But they were certainly--uh, interesting, and had a fair amount of influence on later acts. Above all, perhaps, they are most remembered as the first act to take potty-mouth to the level it deserves; still, beneath the blisters they were also a creative and effective vehicle for satire and political criticism: note their 'Night of Napalm' and 'War Kills Babies,' bonuses on this extended collection. *ar*cm*pc

CD 03085: Harry Nilsson: Nilsson Schmilsson. The late Harry Nilsson was a bit of an odd man-out in the 60s and 70s. Although a well-covered and respected songwriter, he made most of his fame as a singer of other people's material. But then his voice was extraordinary (for example, 'Without You,' included here), and he had a talent for bringing life to quirky material as well. *mr*ss

CD 03084: Niyaz: Niyaz. Niyaz continues the general direction started by Vas--melodic, percussive and rhythmic Persian music, sold not only by its own inertia but by the mysterious vocals (and hammered dulcimer playing) of Azam Ali. Most of the tracks here feature Urdu and Persian poetry, including several works by Rumi. Some of the other instruments used: bass guitar (Tony Levin), frame drums, synthesizer, electric guitar, guitar viol, tabla, oud, tombak, darbuka, etc., etc. *is*na

CD 03083: Kronos Quartet: Black Angels. This 1990 CD features the KQ's performance of composer George Crumb's 'Black Angels,' inspired by the Vietnam War. Also included are works by Tallis, Marta, Ives, and Shostakovich. *cl

CD 03082: Indigo Girls: Indigo Girls. Folk rockers Amy Ray and Emily Saliers got together in the 80s and by the end of the decade had become a major act on the circuit. This was their first major release, and remains their most successful one. *cf*rk*ss*wm

CD 03081: The Kinks: Something Else. A classic (1967) five-star release by one of the great bands in rock 'n roll history. It includes the magical 'Waterloo Sunset,' generally acknowledged as one of the finest songs in the mid-60s repertoire. *ar*rk*ss

CD 03080: Lee "Scratch" Perry: Lord God Muzick. Reggae music from one of the leading producers in the genre. *rg

CD 03079: Medieval Baebes: Mirabilis. Now here's something you don't see every day: a punk Medieval music girly band. Actually, apart from the visuals, they're pretty far from punk; this is atmospheric "nymph" fare that gets the most air play on New Age stations. *cl*na*tf

CD 03078: John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur / My Father Knew Charles Ives. This two-CD set (one for each work) couples of pair of 2003 compositions by Adams, one of our leading classical composers. The first work is something of a meditation for electric violin (played by Tracy Silverman); the second, a three part piece sounding just about the way you would expect Charles Ives to sound had he lived a hundred years later and had absorbed a minimalist (though not dominantly so) influence. *cl

CD 03077: Edgar Meyer: Edgar Meyer. A one-man-show release by the well-known crossover (bluegrass, classical...) bass player and composer. Edgar multitracks himself on just about all of the cuts, playing, in addition to bass, piano, guitar, dobro, and mandolin. *ac*cl*jz

CD 03076: John Martyn: Solid Air. This fine two-CD retrospective of works from the British folk/jazz guitarist and songwriter John Martyn includes all his best known pieces (e.g., 'May You Never,' 'Couldn't Love You More,' 'One World,' 'Solid Air,' and 'I Don't Wanna Know'). Martyn also has a very distinctive voice--a soothing yet rough vehicle that well suits his bluesy material. *ag*bl*cf*jz*ss

CD 03075: Rufus Wainwright: Rufus Wainwright. The first, critically acclaimed, album by the son of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. "In addition to his baritone singing voice, he plays both piano and the guitar...some of his songs feature just Wainwright with his piano, his later work is often accompanied by rock instrumentation or a symphony orchestra... Wainwright is an avid opera fan, and the influences on his music are evident, as well as his love of Franz Schubert's Lieder... Some of Wainwright's songs have been described as 'Popera' (Pop Opera) or 'Baroque Pop'. Many of his compositions are densely packed, dizzying amalgams of strings, horns, operatic choruses, ragtime rhythms and his own distinctively warm vocal timbre" [from wikipedia.org]. *ar*cf*ss

CD 03074: Randy Newman: Good Old Boys. A reissue of the classic 1974 album by Newman, enhanced by a whole second CD of previously unissued material. Sit back, fondle a nice rum and coke, and listen to old Randy give hell to everyone who deserves it... *ss

CD 03073: The Incredible String Band: First Girl I Loved. The Incredibles rank number two in the list of quirky 60s and 70s acts (who's number one?--'gotta be Captain Beefheart, I suppose...), but with them the quirkiness had less to do with wierdness or indecency or outright repulsiveness than it did with their extraordinary commitment to literate themes and gentle, near-psychedelic imagery. This 1972 live performance includes a bit of this and that, perhaps most notably an offering of Robin Williamson's well-covered song 'First Girl I Loved.' *ac*ar*ce*cf

CD 03072: Laura Nyro: Eli and the Thirteenth Confession. Laura Nyro was one of the best songwriters of the late 60s, and eventually an affecting singer. This classic release includes several of her most covered compositions, including 'Sweet Blindness,' 'Eli's Coming,' and 'Stoned Soul Picnic.' *mr*ss

CD 03071: Jerry Jeff Walker: Gypsy Songman: A Life in Song. A made-to-order retrospective by an elder statesman of the country-folk border zone. Everybody knows his 'Mr. Bojangles,' but Walker has been putting out a lot of material for a long time. These selections were recorded all at once, in 1999. *cf*cy*ss

CD 03070: Quicksilver Messenger Service: Happy Trails. "Though not ultimately as popular as contemporaries Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead, the band was integral to the beginnings of their genre. With influences in jazz and Ravel, as well as a strong folk background, the band attempted to create a sound that was individual and innovative" [from wikipedia.org]. It should also be noted that the band's lead guitarist, John Cipollina, was one of the best of his time. *eg*rk

CD 03069: Keb' Mo': Slow Down. This Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/guitarist has a firm foundation in the blues of Robert Johnson, but often extends his style out in the direction of soul and r & b. Active since the 1970s, his career only really took off in the 1990s and since that time he has been much in demand. Three Grammy awards have followed, including for this 1998 release (for "contemporary blues album"). *bl*rb

CD 03068: William Orbit: Strange Cargos: The Best Of. Orbit is best known as a producer, but "is also a composer and multi-instrumentalist who has specialised in keyboard electronica and much of his work also features accomplished guitar playing. He has also recorded several largely instrumental solo albums under the name Strange Cargo which features vocals by Beth Orton...among others. 'Water from a Vineleaf' was a chart success" [from wikipedia.org]. *am*el*im

CD 03067: My Bloody Valentine: Loveless. This album was released to great acclaim in 1991 but the band became largely inactive shortly thereafter; in 2007, however, they reunited and planned new releases and tours for 2008. They were originally formed in Ireland in 1984, but then relocated to London. "The band's use of guitar distortion, vibrato, and digital reverb placed them as part of the shoegazing genre" [from wikipedia.org] of alternative rock. *ar*eg

CD 03064: Keith Jarrett: Radiance. Two more CDs full of splendid solo piano from jazzman Keith Jarrett, this time from concerts recorded in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, in 2002. *jz*pf

CD 03063: Leonard Cohen: The Future. A 1992 recording by the monotonic poet laureate of popular music. "His work often explores the themes of religion, isolation, sexuality, and complex interpersonal relationships...more than a thousand renditions of his work have been recorded...Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a speech by Lou Reed on March 10, 2008 for his status among the 'highest and most influential echelon of songwriters'" [from wikipedia.org]. *cf*ss

CD 03062: Delbert McClinton: Room to Breathe. Texas native McClinton has fashioned a successful career as a singer-songwriter since the 1960s, first mostly as a sideman and then out front. McClinton is the consummate cross-over act, deftly exploring the links among country, blues, and rock styles, as in this peppy 2002 release. *bl*cy*rk*ss

CD 03061: Guided by Voices: Bee Thousand. The prolific (they put out just about one album a year from 1987 to 2004, and as many ep's) Guided by Voices formed in the early 80s in Dayton, Ohio. Their work "shows influence from post-British Invasion garage rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, punk rock and post-punk" [from wikipedia.org]. *ar*rk

CD 03060: Harry Connick Jr.: Come By Me. Harry Connick Jr. is the latest descendant of the Jack Jones-Dean Martin-Frank Sinatra lineage that extends back to the 1950s. Connick sings and plays piano, and is here backed not only by a "big band," but a full orchestra as well. This 1999 release was one of the first stops on the way to sustained success. *mr

CD 03059: The Decemberists: The Crane Wife. Wikipedia classifies The Decemberists' music as: Indie rock / Indie folk / Baroque pop / Art rock, so maybe you get the general picture. This is a very polished act, with just enough acoustic/electric backup to complement some very erudite lyrics intelligently delivered by vocalist Colin Meloy. *ar*cf*ss

CD 03058: June Tabor with Martin Simpson: A Cut Above. This 1989 release combines the talents of one of the best finger-style guitarists in the business (Simpson) with one of the best vocal stylists in folk (Tabor). Mostly traditional material delivered with style and grace. *ag*cf*tf

CD 03057: Rickie Lee Jones: Duchess of Coolsville, An Anthology. Songwriter-vocalist Jones scored instant success in the late 70s and for a few years thereafter, then largely sank out of sight, though continuing to release material from time to time. Recently, her career has been on the ascendant again. *mr*ss*wm

CD 03056: Ramones: Road to Ruin. I guess whoever it was who named this album back in 1978 knew what he was talking about--three decades later, and three of the four Ramones are now dead (and the fourth "retired" to performing traditional Appalachian music). *ar*pc

CD 03055: Richard Hell & the Voidoids: Blank Generation. Kentucky native Richard Hell (born Richard Meyers) left school in the 60s to try his hand at poetry in New York; before long he was also performing music and teamed up with Tom Verlaine to form the band Television. This album and its famous title song (now often recognized as a "top ten" work of the punk style) came a few years later. Since that time he has pursued a successful career in a number of artistic genres, including poetry, film acting, fiction, and music. *ar

CD 03054: Bombay Dub Orchestra: Bombay Dub Orchestra. The music on this two-CD set is a bit hard to pigeonhole, but it did score a big success in 2007 on the "New Music" programs, where it ranked among the year's favorites. It combines ambient, house, and dubbing style electronica under an orchestral sweep, often or usually with a distinctly South Asian music nod. Actually, quite a bit of it sounds like (but isn't) film music--to something swelling with exotic, languorous, themes. *am*el*ho*im*is*na

CD 03053: Laurie Anderson: Bright Red. This 1994 release is pretty typical Laurie Anderson fare: minimalist spoken word/performance art. Nobody sounds even remotely like Laurie Anderson, though, so she's got plenty of room to keep on keepin on. She's helped out here by hubby Lou Reed, Adrian Belew on guitar, Brian Eno on keyboards, and Joey Baron on drums. *ar*pc*ss

CD 03052: The Yardbirds: Five Live Yardbirds. This famous album (with ten bonus tracks added!) was recorded before the group went commercial; i.e., when they were dominantly a blues band led by Keith Relf (vocals and harmonica) and Eric "Slowhand" Clapton. A bit rough at the edges, maybe, but surely with as much energy as anyone at that time had. *bl*eg*rk

CD 03051: Beth Orton: Central Reservation. This 1999 release by English singer/songwriter Orton was the one that put her in the spotlight. Orton's musical form has sometimes been termed "folktronica" because of her projects with William Orbit; to my ears however her material sounds more like typical contemporary folk, with perhaps a bit more beat. Orton is known for her support of a number of political and ethical causes. *cf*pc

CD 03050: Davey Graham: The Complete Guitarist. Still little known here, Graham is one of the great influences on twentieth century guitar styles, having integrated jazz, blues, classical, and international sources to produce a sound that ignited the British contemporary folk movement in the 60s. This 1977 release samples a bit from all, and is further augmented by eight bonus tracks that were recorded years later. *ag*cf

CD 03048: Fairport Convention: What We Did on Our Holiday. Fairport is still around and going strong these days, but this is from their early lineup that included Sandy Denny, Ian Matthews, Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Martin Lamble, and Ashley Hutchings. Part traditional material, part original material, and entirely class material. *cf*rk*ss

CD 03047: Van Der Graaf Generator: Pawn Hearts. Van Der Graaf Generator was a moderately successful "progressively alternative" rock band from the late 60s and 70s. Some of the music on this, their best known album, is really extraordinarily dramatic, even if it represents a kind of art music that now really does sound like it comes from the 60s or 70s... *ar

CD 03046: BT: This Binary Universe. Trancemaster BT is one of the current day's top electronic music artists, known especially for his development of trance music, and the stutter edit technique. This highly successful two-CD album "features a mix of many genres, including jazz, breakbeats, and classical music. Three songs feature a full 110-piece orchestra. BT has said that the album has a lullaby-like quality, inspired by his daughter, Kaia, who sat on his lap throughout most of the song writing process" [from wikipedia.org]. *am*el*ho*im*na

CD 03045: Jerry Douglas: Restless on the Farm. A 1998 release by the king of the dobro, with an all-star supporting cast including Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Viktor Krauss, Sonny Landreth, Steve Earle, Maura O'Connell, Tim O'Brien, Russ Barenberg, etc. *ac*ag*bg

CD 03044: John Zorn: 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 3: Locus Solus. As is often the case with John Zorn projects, this program often slips right into and past the totally arcane. Nominally it is jazz, but a kind of jazz that takes improvisation almost right out of the realms of music. *jz

CD 03043: Canned Heat and John Lee Hooker: Hooker 'n Heat. Canned Heat, though best known for a few fairly light singles, was at heart a potent blues band, so this collaboration with one of the most respected bluesmen of his time was a natural. *bl*rk

CD 03042: Mississippi John Hurt: Last Sessions. Recorded in 1966, the year Hurt died, these were indeed the "last sessions." Hurt had been a popular country blues performer back in the early part of the century, then had largely given up music until he was "rediscovered" in the early 60s. His popularity since, especially as an influential guitar stylist, has never flagged. *ag*bl*cy*tf

CD 03041: Butch Hancock: War and Peace. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hancock has worked both as a solo artist and with others since the 70s, usually in a country style strongly tinged with folk and rock accents. This 2007 release showcases his writing talents, but he also plays practically all the instruments appearing on it, besides handling the vocals. On one cut he is joined by Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, his partners in the long term project The Flatlanders. *cf*cy*rk*ss

CD 03040: John McLaughlin: Devotion. Guitar whiz John McLaughlin here, in one of his best releases. Backed by Buddy Miles on drums, Larry Young on keyboards, and Billy Rich on bass. McLaughlin was one of the leaders of the jazz fusion movement, and this 1971 release shows why. *eg*jz

CD 03039: Ralph McTell: Not Till Tomorrow. McTell is little known in this country, but in Britain he is something of an institution, and this 1972 album shows why--it includes some of the best song-for-song song writing in the contemporary folk genre, along with excellent performances from McTell on guitar, and an impressive array of sidemen. Its 'Birdman' and 'Gypsy' are two of the most stirring performances in this style of music. *ag*cf*ss

CD 03038: Jeff Beck: Truth & Beck-Ola. A two-fer CD combining two well-known late 60s, post-Yardbirds, albums by one of best electric guitarists in the business. Most of the music is straight-ahead rock, with blues accents. Sidemen include Rod Stewart on vocals, Ron Wood on bass, and Nicky Hopkins on piano. *eg*rk

CD 03037: Jack DeJohnette: Works. Percussionist DeJohnette is best known for his work as a sideman with the ECM stable of performers; this program of selections is taken from various releases and features him working with the likes of Lester Bowie, John Abercrombie, Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, David Murray, Arthur Blythe, Peter Warren, Eddie Gomez, and Dave Holland. *ac*jz

CD 03036: Shawn Colvin: Fat City. Joni Mitchell-influenced singer-songwriter and multi-Grammy award winner Shawn Colvin first worked professionally in the late 70s, and in the 80s developed a commercially-oriented contemporary folk style that linked her with Suzanne Vega and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Fat City, nominated for two Grammys, is from 1992, before her career really took off a few years later. *cf*ss*wm

CD 03035: William Orbit: Hello Waveforms. British musician/producer Orbit is known as Madonna's producer, and as the composer/performer of electronic ambient instrumental music. This CD, released in 2006, features lush electronica with occasional vocals, and made a considerable success in the electronica and New Age markets. *am*el*im*na

CD 03034: Mark Isham: Film Music. This early Windham Hill CD is from the mid 1980s, and showcases some of the best of trumpeter/synthesizer player and composer Mark Isham's film scores from the period: for Mrs. Soffel, The Times of Harvey Milk, and Never Cry Wolf. *fi*im

CD 03033: João Gilberto: João Gilberto. The great "Brazilian singer and guitarist [who is] credited with having created the bossa nova beat and is known as the 'Father of Bossa Nova.'...João Gilberto, aka the 'White Album' (1973), featured hypnotic minimalist execution, limited to the singer, his guitar, and Sonny Carr on drums" [from wikipedia.org]. *in

CD 03025: Toni Braxton: Ultimate. This compilation CD features eighteen tracks from one of the most successful r & b / soul / pop female acts of recent years. Included is her superhit 'Un-Break My Heart.' Braxton has been nominated for over thirty major singing awards, and's been the winner of half of them. *mr*rb

CD 03024: Nanci Griffith: Lone Star State of Mind. Nanci Griffith has been a mainstay of the country/folk crossover market since she first emerged in the 1980s. This 1987 release was her first chart success, and included her impeccable reading of 'From a Distance,' the Julie Gold song later made a major hit by Bette Midler. *cf*cy*ss

CD 03023: Steel Pulse: Reggae Greats. Steel Pulse is a British roots reggae band hailing from Birmingham, where they formed in the 1970s. Led by David Hinds (vocals and guitar), who writes most of their material, they have put out a dozen albums since 1975 (including a Grammy winner in 1986). Their message is a political one, but it is of a hopeful type incorporating optimistic ideals. *pc*rg

CD 03022: Easy Rider: Soundtrack. Music from, and inspired by, the iconic 1969 "hippie motorcycle" film starring Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, and Dennis Hopper. Disc one consists of the original soundtrack music (material by Steppenwolf, The Byrds, Roger McGuinn, Jimi Hendrix, etc.); disc two, additional works from the period 1967-69 (e.g. by The Band, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Procol Harum, Joe Cocker, The Moody Blues, The Youngbloods, Blue Cheer, Eric Burdon, etc.). *fi*rk

CD 03021: Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek & Egberto Gismonti: Magico. Three top names from the world of ECM jazz team up for a set of elegant (but not emotionally lacking!) "chamber jazz" trios in this 1980 release: Haden on double-bass, Garbarek on sax, and Gismonti on guitar and piano. *ac*ag*jz*pf

CD 03014: Spirit: Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. Spirit was a Los Angeles band that flourished in the emerging psychedelic rock era of the late 60s and early 70s. This, their fifth album, is regarded as one of the finest of the period's art-rock efforts, "with a tapestry of literary themes about the fragility of life and the complexity of the human experience...best illustrated by the recurring lyric 'life has just begun'" [from wikipedia.org]. Apart from its literary aspirations it also featured novel production techniques and clever integration of the Moog synthesizer. *rk

CD 03006: Andraé Crouch: Mighty Wind. "Andrae Crouch has won numerous awards and honors over the years including eight Grammy Awards, four GMA Dove Awards, and ASCAP, Billboard and NAACP Awards. In 2004, he became the only living contemporary Gospel artist--and just the third in history--to have a star enshrined on the Hollywood Walk of Fame" [from wikipedia.org]. This 2006 release is a 40th anniversary celebration of Crouch's upbeat (incorporating r & b and latin rhythms) style. *rb*re

CD 03005: Bob Marley and the Wailers: Live! Recorded live at the Lyceum, London, on 19 July 1975, just as Marley was beginning to attain major international stardom. *rg*ss

CD 03004: Nick Drake: Five Leaves Left. Poor Nick Drake: Never known during his own short life, and now among the most celebrated of folkies out there. It just goes to show that real talent cannot be kept down forever. *cf

CD 02989: Scott Walker: Scott 2. Little known over here, except possibly for his work with the Walker Brothers ('The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine'), expatriate Scott Walker found major success in Britain and Europe in the mid and late 1960s both with his group, and as a solo artist. Walker had one of the best voices of the period, powerful yet mellow, sounding a bit like a combination of Jack Jones and Andy Williams--but he frequently tackled more challenging material, such as works by Jacques Brel. Although the arrangements here sound a bit dated now, this was a Number One album in Britain in 1968. *mr

CD 02988: The Pogues: Rum Sodomy & the Lash. Ah yes, the conservatively dressed, smoothly harmonizing, ever respectable and respecting Vogues: Where would we... --Eh what? Oh! The Pogues, you say... Oh dear... Well, just take everything I just said and think of the exact opposite... Yes, that will do nicely... *ar*cf*pc

CD 02987: The Replacements: Let It Be. "The Replacements were an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979... [They] began as a punk rock group, but began to incorporate other subgenres of rock music and became instrumental in the development of early alternative rock. Following the critically acclaimed Let It Be (1984), the band signed to Sire Records, becoming one of the first American underground rock bands to sign to a major record label" [from wikipedia.org]. *ar

CD 02986: The Psychedelic Furs: Should God Forget, A Retrospective. The Psychedelic Furs formed in the late 70s and were one of the first important punk acts in Britain. "While the band's rise paralleled the first wave of MTV, the Furs had little in common with the pre-packaged, fashion-oriented acts who dominated the music video channel for much of the '80s. ...the Furs were progenitors of the guitar-based alternative rock that would, ironically, begin to find a mass audience at the same time the band was winding down" [from the liner notes]. *ar

CD 02985: Paul Weller: Wild Wood. English singer-songwriter and guitarist Weller began his career in the mid-70s and by the end of the decade was experiencing major success with The Jam. In the 80s he led another successful and influential group, Style Council, before starting a successful solo career. Wild Wood, his second solo work, reached #2 on the British charts, and in the years since he has piled up a long string of hit albums and singles. He has also been influential in the world of style, in the 1980s being the main figure in the Mod Revival. *eg*rk*ss

CD 02984: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Director Stanley Kubrick had originally hired renowned film composer Alex North to do the music for this seminal movie, but in the end decided to use pre-existing classical works: by Richard Strauss, Gyorgy Ligeti, Aram Khachaturian, and Johann Strauss. It was a decision that greatly enhanced the effect of the film. *cl*fi

CD 02983: Crowded House: Woodface. New Zealander Neil Finn (earlier a member of the superb N.Z. band Split Enz) was the guiding light behind this Australian band active circa 1985 to 1996. Finn is a leading force in New Zealand music, having even been made OBE by the Queen in 1993 for his efforts (probably not incidentally, Crowded House was reputedly Princess Di's favorite band...). This 1991 release is finely crafted rock-folk-pop in the best Beatles tradition, filled with memorable hooks but underlain with a depth that is only noticeable after repeated listenings. *rk

CD 02982: King Sunny Ade and his African Beats: Aura. King Sunny Ade's infectious (Nigerian) juju music neatly fills the gap between jazz and Afro-pop. This 1984 Island Records release is one of his best, and features a cameo on harmonica by Stevie Wonder. Ade has been a very influential figure, both in terms of his music, and the recognition that he received that opened the way for later African musicians like Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal, and Salif Keita. *ia*jz

CD 02981: Rage Against the Machine: Evil Empire. "Evil Empire is the second album by Rage Against the Machine... released on April 15, 1996...the album's title is taken from the phrase evil empire, which was used by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and many Western conservatives in describing the former Soviet Union. The album was positively received by many critics and received the most Grammy nods of the band's career" [from wikipedia.org]. *ar*hi*pc*rk

CD 02980: The Albion Dance Band: The Prospect Before Us. In the 1970s the Albion Dance Band was an ever-changing conglomerate of British folk musicians whose mission was related to the revival of traditional forms, though often updated with contemporary (including electric) instrumentation. Group organizer Ashley Hutchings is joined in this well known recording by Shirley Collins, John Tams, Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks, and others. *cf*tf

CD 02979: 10,000 Maniacs: Blind Man's Zoo. 10,000 Maniacs was a very popular alt-rock band for much of the 80s and early 90s, then stumbled on for a number of years after lead vocalist Natalie Merchant left them to pursue a solo career in 1993. This is their most successful release, which although missing the Top 10 went Gold. *ar*cf

CD 02978: Máire Brennan: Perfect Time. Máire (pronounced, and since 2002 spelled, "Moya") Brennan is one of the top names in Celtic music, having been for many years the lead singer for the band Clannad. In this solo 1998 CD she explores her renewed faith in Christianity--while managing to not turn the set into "Christian music" per se. *ce*cf*mr*re*ss

CD 02977: Joan Baez: Joan Baez. The first album (with three bonus tracks), circa 1960, by the then nineteen-year-old Baez. Consisting of traditional material like 'Silver Dagger,' 'House of the Rising Sun,' 'Girl of Constant Sorrow,' and 'Henry Martin,' the recording features nothing more than Joan's voice and guitar, but this is quite enough to hold one's attention--no wonder she was such an instant success... *tf

CD 02976: Richard Thompson: Mock Tudor. Richard Thompson, ex- of Fairport Convention, is one of best triple-threat singer/songwriter/guitarists (acoustic and electric) around. Perennially a critic's favorite (and listed as number twenty on Rolling Stone's list of 100 all-time greatest guitarists), this 1999 release represents typical fare. Sidemen include Dave Mattacks on drums and Danny Thompson on bass. *ag*cf*eg*ss

CD 02974: Mahavishnu Orchestra: Birds of Fire. One of the early sensational jazz-rock fusion albums by this group, led by guitarist John McLaughlin. Besides McLaughlin, the group members were Billy Cobham on drums, Jerry Goodman on violin, Jan Hammer on keyboards, and Rick Laird on bass. Jimi Hendrix meets Miles Davis and John Coltrane. *eg*jz

CD 02973: Weather Report: Heavy Weather. The most successful of a string of very successful albums by the jazz fusion group led by keyboardist Joe Zawinul, and featuring Wayne Shorter on sax and Jaco Pastorius on bass. This 1977 release includes the crossover hit 'Birdland,' penned by Zawinul. *jz

CD 02972: Rosanne Cash: Black Cadillac. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash has found success since the end of the 1970s in a crossover style that incorporates modern country, rock, blues, and whatever else suits her fancy. In this 2006 release she comes to grip with the then-recent deaths of her father and step-mother, country legends Johnny and June Carter Cash. *cy*rk*ss*wm

CD 02971: Joanna Newsom: Ys. This CD was one of the big surprise success stories of 2006. Harpist and little-girl-voiced Newsom writes and sings orchestrated poetry that reminds one of some of Donovan's trippier moments, or better yet, the Incredible String Band. You will probably either hate or love this stuff... *ar*cf*na*ss

CD 02970: Neil Young with Crazy Horse: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. This early (1969) Neil Young release was his second solo album, coming just before he was asked to join Crosby, Stills and Nash. Included are three of his best known songs, 'Cinnamon Girl,' 'Down by the River,' and 'Cowgirl in the Sand,' but one would have to say that this is also one of his most "guitar-y" albums. *cf*eg*rk*ss

CD 02969: Beastie Boys: Beastie Boys Anthology, The Sounds of Silence. This hip hop group from New York City is one of the longest-lived successful hip-hop groups. Starting out as a punk act in 1979, they turned to hip-hop for their first solo album in the mid-80s and have never looked back. "They're well-known for their eclecticism, jocular and flippant attitude toward interviews and interviewers, obscure cultural references and kitschy lyrics, and performing in outlandish matching suits" [from wikipedia.org]. *ar*hi*rk

CD 02968: Ben Harper: Fight for Your Mind. Multi-Grammy winner Harper released this his second album in 1995 to wide international acclaim. Harper defies easy classification as his music incorporates elements of folk, blues, gospel, soul, reggae, and rock, and he often collaborates with artists themselves known for one or more of these styles. Harper has a good voice but is also an effective instrumentalist, especially on guitar. *bl*rb*rg*rk*ss

CD 02967: Elana James: Elana James. Elana James is an American singer, violinist and songwriter who performs mostly in a jazz context integrating "Hot Club of France" styles with traditional country and old-timey music. This 2006 CD was her first as a solo act, but she also has a string of albums going back ten years with The Hot Club of Cowtown. She made news when she was invited to tour with Bob Dylan, the first woman to do so in thirty years. *ac*cf*jz

CD 02966: The Moody Blues: In Search of the Lost Chord. Well, this 1968 album is definitely hippie-trippy-psychedelic-ville, but it's all in good fun (and actually does have something of a running theme, concerning self-discovery). Especially the unforgettable 'Departure' that begins the voyage... "Timothy Leary's dead--no, he's outside, looking in..." (from 'Legend of a Mind'). *rk

CD 02965: Wilco: Being There. This two-CD release was Wilco's second, from 1996. Wilco is among the most successful of the alt-rock/alt-folk/folk rock acts, having so far garnered four Grammy nominations and two wins since they first emerged in the 90s as an extension of the equally interesting band Uncle Tupelo. *ar*cf

CD 02964: Salif Keita: M'Bemba. This 2005 release is a really spectacular piece of Afro folk/pop from singer/songwriter Salif Keita. The mood ranges from an easy Calypso-like swing to much darker material, and throughout one is aware of some very potent producing/arranging talents, especially evident in the rhythm section and Keita's weaving vocals. If you don't take instantly to the first two tracks in particular, then I'm not sure I want to know you! *ia

CD 02963: Chick Corea & Bela Fleck: The Enchantment. An unlikely combination, perhaps--banjo and piano--but here we have two of the best and most inventive performers on these instruments. This 2007 CD wowed just about everybody. *ac*jz

CD 02962: Fleetwood Mac: Then Play On. Once upon a time, before they went mainstream, Fleetwood Mac was Britain's best blues band--in fact, after the demise of the Beatles in 1970, they were voted Britain's best band, period, for two years in a row. This album, their fourth, dates from 1969, and is generally considered their finest effort. Among the high points is the memorable two part Peter Green composition 'Oh Well,' featuring an intoxicating guitar hook. *bl*eg*rk

CD 02961: Yusuf (Cat Stevens): An Other Cup. Well, one wouldn't know quite what to expect from this 2006 release. Stevens emerged in Britain in the mid 1960s as a teen idol, then had a breakdown and metamorphosed in the late 60s into a sensitive quasi-folkie singer-songwriter, and for several years thereafter was a chart-topping international attraction. Suddenly he abandoned it all, adopted Islam, and largely dropped out of sight for thirty years. So now he's back--but here continues with the same kind of approach that proved so successful for him in the early 70s: quiet or bouncy songs with simple but affecting messages. *ss

CD 02960: Christopher O'Riley: Second Grace: The Music of Nick Drake. Classical pianist Christopher O'Riley continues his project of transforming pop star compositions into solo piano pieces (earlier recordings targeted Radiohead songs). One might wonder how such an approach would work in the case of an introverted folkie like Drake, but Drake's "simple" music has enough surprises (including jazz influences) to sustain the effort. *cl*pf

CD 02959: Keith Jarrett: The Carnegie Hall Concert. This two-CD set captures another of pianist Keith Jarrett's stunning solo concerts, this one recorded in 2005 in Carnegie Hall. Need I comment that this is pretty remarkable stuff?? *jz*pf

CD 02958: Blind Faith: Blind Faith. Blind Faith, consisting of Eric Clapton, Ric Grech, Stevie Winwood, and Ginger Baker, was one of the first rock supergroups. This album, released in 1969, was their only work--but it was an immediate smash success, and remains a marker set of the music for the period. Sorry, this CD has the stock cover (not the original British one that featured Baker's teenage sister, naked...). *eg*rk

CD 02957: Lou Reed: Berlin. This early Lou Reed project (1973) was not the glam rock that some of his fans were expecting at the time; instead, as the liner notes describe it, it was a "beautifully bleak" collection, an "unforgiving tale of drugs, death and sexual betrayal met with confusion, revulsion and anger." Sidemen included Michael and Randy Brecker, Jack Bruce, Aynsley Dunbar, Tony Levin, and Stevie Winwood. *ar*ss

CD 02956: Radiohead: The Bends. Radiohead is an "alternative rock" band, but that tag does little justice to the leadership role they are currently playing on the music scene. This was their second CD, from 1995, when they were just beginning to grab everyone's attention. *ar

CD 02955: Stefan Grossman: Best of the Transatlantic Years. Grossman has been one of the world's leading country blues guitarists since the 1960s, both as a performer and an educator/guitar instructor. This compilation is taken from three albums put out between 1970 and 1972, when Grossman was a mainstay on the British folk circuit. The 23 selections feature Grossman as soloist and in small combos with other performers. *ag*bl*cf

CD 02954: Marc Anthony: Otra Nota. Salsa singer and balladeer Marc Anthony ranks among the best known American-born Latin performers. This CD, from 1993, is from his early days of success, shortly after he turned to the effervescent style he is now well known for. *in

CD 02953: Janis Ian: God & the FBI. Janis Ian first crashed the folk circuit in the early 1960s, when she had barely reached her teen years. In the late 60s and 70s she came to national attention, then settled back to a lower key career, usually out of the limelight. This 2000 release shows that she still knows what she's doing. *ss*wm*pc

CD 02952: Iron & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days. Iron & Wine is the project name of singer-songwriter and native South Carolinian Sam Beam. Beam follows in the steps of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith; his music is quiet and unassuming acoustic Indie folk or folk rock, lyrically elegant and delivered in a manner not far from early Simon and Garfunkel. *cf*ss

CD 02951: Tish Hinojosa: Retrospective. "Since 1988, singer-songwriter Tish Hinojosa has been part of the vibrant Austin music scene. She has drawn numerous critical accolades for her borderless approach to music, blending Mexican folk and country music with a modern singer/songwriter sensibility and touches of pop. This is her first multi-label career retrospective covering songs from many of her acclaimed albums" [from the liner notes]. *cf*in*ss

CD 02950: The Duhks: Migrations. "The Duhks (pronounced like 'ducks') are a 5-member Canadian folk-rock-Celtic-old time-bluegrass-contemporary-Latin-French Canadian-gospel (though usually described as folk rock or bluegrass) group...Their music draws heavily on all of the North American musical traditions, while successfully integrating Latin-music-influenced percussion" [from Wikipedia.org]. This is their third album; earlier efforts had already won them a Juno award and a Grammy nomination. *ac*cf*tf

CD 02949: Tom Waits: Swordfishtrombones. The inimitable Tom Waits, again growling his way into our hearts and minds as only he can do. *ar*ss

CD 02948: Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense. A "special new edition" of the 1984 "movie," containing "seven previously unreleased live tracks." In the late 70s and early 80s Talking Heads was *the* alt-rock group--they practically invented the genre. Includes some of their best known pieces, e.g. 'Psycho Killer' and 'Take Me to the River.' *ar*fi

CD 02947: Solomon Burke: Nashville. Big time soul/r & b by one of the giants of the genre. In this 2006 release he teams up a lot of Nashville folks, like Buddy Miller, Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch, Sam Bush, Patty Griffin, and Patty Loveless. Some years back Burke was elected to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. *rb

CD 02946: Waylon Jennings: Honky Tonk Heroes. This famous album, released in 1973 on RCA Victor, helped define the movement that became known as "outlaw country." All the material on the album was written or co-written by the veteran country artist Billy Joe Shaver. The cuts 'You Asked Me To' and 'We Had It All' became successful singles. *cy*ss

CD 02945: Mike Oldfield: Ommadawn. This was the third of Mike Oldfield's epic instrumental albums from the 1970s, the best known of which was the sensationally successful Tubular Bells. Ommadawn itself was a top five placer on the British charts, but didn't do so well here. If you have a daughter who loves horses, or were once a girl who loved them yourself (or still do!), you must listen to the last 3:20 of the second and concluding track on this album, by far the most adorable ode to our four-legged friends ever set to disc. *cf*im

CD 02944: Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers: Modern Lovers 88. Jonathan Richman is a legendary regional musician from the Boston area. He has always been something of a maverick, but a maverick with a firm foot in garage rock and "good-time" music. Every once in a while he surfaces to record a little gem like this one. *ar*rk

CD 02943: Taj Mahal: The Essential. This two-CD set samples from the vast repertoire of one of our country's most flexible singer/composer/instrumentalists. Taj Mahal's career began in the 1960s, but he's still going strong, turning out material ranging from traditional country and electric blues to folk, original songs, and international music collaborations. A two-time Grammy winner, in 2006 he was made by act of legislature the "Official Blues Artist" of the State of Massachusetts (his home state). *bl*cf*ia*tf

CD 02942: Lucinda Williams: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Three-time Grammy winner (including this album) Lucinda Williams has been out there refining her craft since the mid-1970s, but it was this 1998 album that brought her to stardom. One of America's finest songwriters, she performs in a style that combines alt-folk and alt-country, with bits and pieces of blues, rock, etc., etc. thrown in as seen effective. *ar*cf*cy*ss*wm

CD 02941: Emmylou Harris: Wrecking Ball. Twelve-time Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Fame singer Emmylou Harris gets to do pretty much as she chooses, and for this Grammy-winning Daniel Lanois-produced set she sampled from the cream of the songwriting world, including Lanois, Steve Earle, Julie Miller, Neil Young, Anna McGarrigle, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Gillian Welch, and Rodney Crowell. *cy*mr

CD 02940: UB40: The Very Best Of, 1980-2000. UB40 is a British reggae band that formed in 1978. They have been immensely successful through the years (especially at home, where they have racked up over 25 top-twenty singles and nearly twenty top-twenty albums), with hits such as 'Red Red Wine,' 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' and 'I Got You Babe' (with Chrissie Hynde). *rg

CD 02939: Gordon Lightfoot: The United Artists Collection. This is a two-CD set of the Gordon Lightfoot of "the early years," before he turned pop with songs like 'Sundown.' Now an elder statesman of the folk (especially Canadian folk) scene, Lightfoot's early career in the 1960s blended a traditional sound with a contemporary edge, and banked on his fine singing, guitar-playing, and compositional abilities (e.g., 'For Lovin Me' and 'Early Morning Rain'). *cf*tf

CD 02938: Asleep at the Wheel: Tribute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. This 1994 tribute to the leading light of Western swing music features an amazing array of walk-ons, including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Huey Lewis, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins, etc. *cy

CD 02937: Amazing Blondel: Evensong/Fantasia Lindum. Amazing Blondel was a short-lived early 70s group from England that played a strange but pleasant hybrid of contemporary folk and Renaissance music. If you enjoy either or both the Incredible String Band or Dowland pieces for lute, you might very well find them quite entertaining. *ar

CD 02936: A Tribe Called Quest: The Anthology. This highly influential American hip-hop group, formed in 1988, "is generally regarded as pioneers of alternative rap music, having helped to pave the way for socially aware hip-hop artists. All Music Guide calls them 'the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s' [from wikipedia.org]. This generous 19-track CD surveys their first ten years, during which they produced five original albums distinguished by a not-over-the-top social consciousness, humor, and jazz accents. *hi*pc*ss

CD 02935: Van Morrison: Astral Weeks. "Astral Weeks is a folk-rock and r & b album...released in November 1968 on Warner Bros. Records. Astral Weeks was critically acclaimed upon its first release. It has often been placed on the most authoritative lists of best albums of all time: in the 1995 MOJO list of 100 Best Albums it was listed as #2 and was #19 on the Rolling Stone Magazine's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003. It became and remains a cult favourite, despite the fact that it failed to achieve significant mainstream sales success for decades" [from wikipedia.org]. *cf*rb*rk

CD 02934: Joe Jackson: Night and Day. Singer-songwriter-pianist Joe Jackson has an easy style that fits somewhere between jazz and pop: light entertainment, but with a decided touch of sophistication. This 1982 CD was his breakout work. *jz*mr*pf*ss

CD 02933: Al Di Meola: Consequence of Chaos. Al Di Meola has won more Downbeat jazz guitarist of the year awards than he has wallspace to display. This highly successful 2006 release has him playing both electric and acoustic instruments in a variety of forms ranging from fusion to Spanish classical to "modern jazz." Sidemen include Chick Corea, John Patitucci, and Barry Miles. *ag*eg*jz*mr

CD 02932: Sex Pistols: Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols formed in London in 1975. Their one studio album--this one--caused a revolution within rock and led to the punk movement in the U. K. 'God Save the Queen' from this release is probably the single most famous song from the genre. *ar

CD 02931: Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker. Singer-songwriter Adams' solo career began with this well-received release in 2000. Within a year it was on to even greater successes with collaborations with Willie Nelson, television ads, Grammy nominations, etc. etc. Adams performs in a style touching on folk, country rock, alt-country, and rock. *cf*cy*rk*ss

CD 02930: Rob Wasserman: Trios. A set of (mostly) trios with Wasserman on electric standup bass, and various notables. Quite notable, actually, including: Brian Wilson, Jerry Garcia, Willie Dixon, Elvis Costello, Neal Young, Bruce Hornsby, and Chris Whitley, among others. *ac

CD 02929: Arlo Guthrie: Amigo. Arlo Guthrie may still be best known for 'Alice's Restaurant,' but he's put out a lot of other good recordings through the years. This is one of them, a topical and other issues-oriented work from 1976 that would have made his father proud. *cf*pc*ss

CD 02800: Clifton Chenier: Zydeco Dynamite (anthology). A great 40 track, two-CD anthology of the leading light of zydeco music. *ca

CD 02769: George Thorogood: Live. George Thorogood plays a powerful brand of small venue (re: bar) electric blues that has made him a mainstay act up and down the Middle Atlantic coast. From time to time he reels out a national-level hit (e.g. 'Bad to the Bone'), but mostly he is a regional artist--one who is especially effective live in concert. *bl*rk

CD 02768: Mamadou Diabate: Heritage. Mamadou Diabate, a kora player from Mali, has made a rapid ascendence within the international folk scene, including winning the "World Music Artist Of The Year" from the American Folk Alliance in 2006. This is virtuoso music; the kora is a traditional Afrifcan string instrument that produces a flowing, bubbling sound resembling both a harp and a harpsichord. *ac*ia*tf

CD 02767: Mamadou Diabate: Behmanka. Mamadou Diabate, a kora player from Mali, has made a rapid ascendence within the international folk scene, including winning the "World Music Artist Of The Year" from the American Folk Alliance in 2006. This is virtuoso music; the kora is a traditional Afrifcan string instrument that produces a flowing, bubbling sound resembling both a harp and a harpsichord. *ac*ia*tf

CD 02756: The Fisk Jubilee Singers: In Bright Mansions. Hailing from Fisk University in Nashville, these are the latest incarnation of the group that traces its famous history back to the 1870s. At that time proceeds from their early tours helped save the University from financial ruin. The present recording features a program of eighteen spirituals, including readings of many of the most famous songs in that genre. 'Accompanied by an especially informative guide booklet. *re*tf

CD 02736: Anouar Brahem: Le Voyage de Sahar. After a string of first-rate releases Brahem has become one of the European jazz label ECM's top attractions. Brahem, an oud player from Tunisia now living in Paris, specializes in intimate, atmospheric chamber jazz works in the mood of North Africa or the Middle East; here his sidemen are on the accordion and piano. Sometimes sombre, sometimes reflective, sometimes flashy, but always affecting. *ia*im*jz*na

CD 02730: Blue Cheer: Vincebus Eruptum. Well, if you're a rock 'n roll historian you know that this is a key title in the evolution of heavy metal rock. Blue Cheer's material has sometimes been referred to as "proto-metal psychedelia"; one thing's for sure, their version of 'Summertime Blues' sure was a sensation when it was released in 1968. *rk

CD 02729: The Dixie Hummingbirds: Thank You for One More Day. A collection of songs celebrating the 70th (!) anniversary of this enduring Gospel singing group--it was way back in 1928 that 12-year old James Davis, eventually to become the group's leader, got together with some of his pals to start singing regularly as an a capella group. One of their best known works (recorded both by themselves alone, and later with Paul Simon), 'Loves Me Like a Rock,' is included in this set. *re

CD 02713: Seekers of the Truth: The Complete Piano Music of Georges I. Gurdjieff and Thomas de Hartmann Vol. 1. In this two-CD set pianist Cecil Lytle explores the piano music of the great Greek-Armenian mystic G. I. Gurdjieff and his amanuensis Thomas de Hartmann. This is very spare, spiritually emotional music. *cl*is*pf

CD 02712: Anoushka Shankar: Rise. Ravi Shankar's daughter Anoushka released this Western-influenced CD of small forces-based sitar and keyboards music to excellent reviews in 2005. *cl*is*jz

CD 02711: Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. Ever since his album Nebraska Springsteen has shown a strong interest in folk music, and in this 2006 CD (with accompanying DVD) he sets out a program of largely traditional material, dedicated to the influence of Pete Seeger. *cf*tf

CD 02709: Steve Tilston: Such & Such. Tilston is one of England's finest tunesmith-lyricist-singer-guitarists, though he is little known here. He specializes in adroitly written mini-stories accompanied by dazzling fingerpicking in a contemporary folk style. This CD was rated the number one release for 2004 as considered by the listeners to leading folk radio station WUMB in Massachusetts (the second time Tilston has achieved this honor)--an amazing accomplishment, considering the fact that the work was not even available in the U.S. at that point. *ag*cf*ss

CD 02707: Harry Partch: Delusion of the Fury. Partch, who died in 1974, was one of America's most original and iconoclastic musical voices. He was influenced by folk music, American Indian and ancient Greek forms, and African and Asian music, and devised a whole family of unique instruments to play his own compositions, which were based on just intonation theory. But he also spent many of his years as a hobo and alcoholic, and this theatre piece of his--a first recording--reflects some of his general alienation with the musical establishment. *cl

CD 02703: Shahram Shiva: Rumi: Lovedrunk. "Rumi is the greatest exponent of the ecstatic intoxication of sacred love. Shahram Shiva, Rumi translator, performer and author, captures the essence of the poet's message through his passionate performances. This union of spoken verse and music melds magic with love" [from the liner notes]. This is pretty remarkable stuff--if you like the narrated form, give this a listen! *is

CD 02702: Sigur Rós: Takk. I can't help thinking that this Icelandic band's creations sound like the music of the rock supergroup Yes either (or both) played at the wrong speed, or backward. In any case, there's a lot of expansiveness to their sound, which neither quite qualifies as rock or as ambient while approaching symphonic in attitude. *ar*na*rk

CD 02701: Big Brother & the Holding Company, Featuring Janis Joplin. A classic blues/rock album from 1967, featuring vocals by the legendary singer Janis Joplin. Includes one of the group's two significant top forty hits, 'Down on Me.' *rk

CD 02700: Philip Glass: Orion. "Orion is a live recording of the ninety-minute work commissioned by Arts, Dance, and Music Productions which premiered in Athens on June 3, 2004 (with The Philip Glass Ensemble) as part of the Cultural Olympiad in Greece. The recording features Eleftheria Arvanitaki vocalist, Mark Atkins on didjerido, Wu Man on pipa, Gaurav Mazumdar performing a sitar work by Ravi Shakar, Ashley MacIsaac on fiddle, Foday Musa Suso on kora, and the Brazilian ensemble Uakti...Glass's desire was to create a 'truly multi-cultural, international music work'...Those familiar with Glass's music will have an idea about what to expect--minimalist motifs repeated over and over, subtly changing both rhythmically and harmonically" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *cl*na

CD 02699: Swan Silvertones: My Rock/Love Lifted Me. A special "twofer" collection of material by this eminent gospel group, led by the phenomenal singing of Claude Jeter. Includes hits such as 'Trouble in My Way,' 'The Day Will Surely Come,' and 'How I Got Over.' *re

CD 02698: Irma Thomas: True Believer. Thomas cut this CD at about the age of fifty in 1992, at the top of her powers (though she was pretty impressive even back in the early 1960s when she first came to prominence). She is sometimes called "The Soul Queen of New Orleans," and indeed her influences are fairly obviously connected to that city, including big doses of the blues, jazz, and r & b. *bl*ca*rb

CD 02697: Jade Warrior: Jade Warrior. Wow--a flash from the past... The reissue of a 1971 album by this one-time cult group whose music has recently experienced something of a renaissance. Why? Because it is at one time avant-garde while often being uncommonly ethereal and beautiful, half the time sounding like Jethro Tull and the other half, like modern-day Bill Frisell or any number of dreamy New Age acts. *ar*na*rk

CD 02696: Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing. Hey, haven't you always wanted to hear a CD comprised of new performances by Jimmy Page, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Merle Haggard, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Eric Clapton, Little Richard, Kris Kristofferson, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Mick Jagger, George Jones, B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Don Henley, Keith Richards, and Robbie Robertson? If so, and if you're a Jerry Lee Lewis fan to boot, here's your chance! *pf*rk

CD 02695: The Clash: London Calling. "The Clash's 1979 release remains an audacious rock landmark, and is considered by many fans to be the greatest album of the original British punk movement...the quartet confidently stretching its musical approach to embrace elements of reggae, R & B, rockabilly and jazz, while broadening its political consciousness to explore new lyrical insights" [from the CD back cover]. *ar*pc*rk

CD 02694: Can: Monster Movie. Can was like no other group before or since. During the late 70s they were the last word in experimental avant garde rock 'n roll, leaning on improvisation, percussive sounds, electronics, and rhythmically repetitive, dreamy (but not lush) instrumental interludes. One of this album's cuts, the hypnotic 'You Doo Right,' was excerpted from a day-long long improvisational session (that is, the boys were playing along for some twenty-four hours straight!). Highly recommended! *ar*rk

CD 02693: Mercan Dede: Su. This is music of the Middle East (you can almost smell the camels...), as interpreted by expatriate Mercan Dede (now a Canadian resident), a devotee of Sufi sounds and moods. 'With lots of wordless vocals, wailing flutes and violins, percussion, and electronica--and even some fairly strong jazz influences. *is*na

CD 02692: Cirque du Soleil: Kà. Cirque du Soleil is a Montreal-based theatre group that specializes in acrobatics, pantomime and dance productions linked to particular subject themes (recently they gained international attention with their show fashioned around Beatle tunes), and performed to composed music (one might call these "circus ballets"). The music involved is kind of hard to describe, since it integrates various elements of world, theater, classical, New Age and ambient styles--but more often than not is dramatically inspired, sounding something like an updating of the Carmina Burana. *ar*na

CD 02691: Cirque du Soleil: Allegria. Cirque du Soleil is a Montreal-based theatre group that specializes in acrobatics, pantomime and dance productions linked to particular subject themes (recently they gained international attention with their show fashioned around Beatle tunes), and performed to composed music (one might call these "circus ballets"). The music involved is kind of hard to describe, since it integrates various elements of world, theater, classical, New Age and ambient styles--but more often than not is dramatically inspired, sounding something like an updating of the Carmina Burana. *ar*na

CD 02690: Kate Rusby: The Girl Who Couldn't Fly. A 2005 CD from the English singer who is probably this generation's finest interpreter of British traditional material. It's all in her voice--exquisitely sensitive and feminine. Actually, the most remarkable cut on the album is her melancholy rendition of 'You Belong to Me', an old standard from the 50s and 60s made a hit by, among others, Patti Page, Jo Stafford, and the Duprees: "See the pyramids along the Nile..." *cf*tf

CD 02689: Ralph Towner: Time Line. "To me, this is the best of the solo guitar sets by Towner since Solo Concert. To my ears, he hits a cool balance of improvisational fluency, attention to form and flow and the one-man-trio feel he attributes to Bill Evans. Really beautiful, with a live, spacious sound accurately capturing the resonant hall in which it was recorded" [from an Amazon.com customer review]. *ag*cl*jz

CD 02688: Vangelis: China. "Vangelis displays through this brief set of pieces a candid array of 'clichés'; but these 'clichés' he conveys (or rather: skilfully mimics) are also exactly that for the Chinese THEMSELVES: those are some of the rutinary devices of their music, their musical commonplaces, so to speak. China could well be, in some of its best moments...quite a beautiful musical instance of what the ancient Greeks called MIMESIS, not a mere servile imitation of a given model but the delicate rendition of a much more subtle likeness..." [from an Amazon.com customer review]. *im*na

CD 02687: Todd Rundgren: Something/Anything? Todd Rundgren doesn't quite get the respect he deserves--most of what he has put out for top forty consumption admittedly is pretty lightweight, but behind the scenes he has been an important force in the development of the popular music industry. This two-CD set is of material that first saw the light of day in 1972, moreover, is entirely weightier fare. *mr*rk

CD 02686: Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté: In the Heart of the Moon. Two of West Africa's most celebrated musicians collaborate here in wonderful style. The late (2006) Ali Farka Touré was an acoustic blues guitarist; Toumani Diabaté is a virtuoso on the kora, a stringed instrument that sounds like a cross between a harp and a harpsichord. The resulting instrumental synthesis gets my vote in the "music least likely to be disliked by any discriminating listener" competition. *ac*ag*ia

CD 02685: Bill Frisell: East/West. A two-CD live set by the ever-busy Bill Frisell, one of today's great jazz guitarists. Frisell has technical chops, but mostly he excels at choice of material and an uncanny ability to integrate instrumental styles and moods: this slow, ambling fare is equally successful as background music, or for supporting more intensive musings. Includes original pieces by Frisell, but also his renditions of many familiar works such as 'Shenandoah,' 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall,' 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine,' 'Days of Wine and Roses,' and 'Goodnight Irene.' *eg*jz

CD 02684: Kate Rusby: 10. Affective and attractive Brit Kate Rusby celebrates her tenth year as a professional musician with this set, released in 2003. Rusby is one of the brightest lights on the English folk circuit at the moment, and this CD proves that she can write her own material as well as cover traditional songs. *cf*ss*tf

CD 02683: Echo and the Bunnymen: Heaven Up Here. "Digitally remastered and expanded version of the Bunnymen's Second Album. The mood...is much darker and more intense than their debut album...The songs tend to be more atmospheric and textured as well...The five bonus tracks include an extended version of 'Broke My Neck' and four previously-unreleased live tracks. The package also includes new liner notes and plenty of photos in the booklet..." [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *ar*rk

CD 02682: Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Jajouka. The story behind this recording is pretty remarkable, but too long to relate here. Basically, it concerns the interest Brian Jones (the late original guitarist for the Rolling Stones) took in the music connected with the pagan rites of an ancient sect in Morocco. This is, in fact, World music--and pretty elemental at that--but it is revealing to recognize Jones as an early pioneer in its promotion. With interesting liner note comments by Paul Bowles, William S. Burroughs, and others. *ia

CD 02681: Fairfield Four: Standing in the Safety Zone. A 1992 issue from one of the leading acts in gospel music, Nashville's Fairfield Four. The group was one of that genre's big names back in the 1940s, but then disbanded for many years, only to reunite in 1980. *re

CD 02680: David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The early (1972) glam-rock release featuring Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust days, with Mick Ronson on guitar. *ar*rk

CD 02679: Faces: A Nod Is as Good as a Wink... Ah, a return to the days of Mod, and a young Rod Stewart fronting this straight ahead, blues-influenced, rock band that emerged from the ashes of the earlier, and equally successful, Small Faces. The new incarnation included, along with Stewart, Ronnie Lane and Ron Wood (later to become the lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones). *rk

CD 02678: Bonnie Raitt: Bonnie Raitt. This is Bonnie Raitt's debut album, from 1971--at a time when she was best known as "John Raitt's daughter" (Raitt sr. was a major Broadway star), and before Mr. Raitt ended up being most known as "Bonnie Raitt's father." Raitt is basically a blues singer/guitarist, but sometimes she veers into rock, pop, and r & b. *ag*bl*eg*rk

CD 02677: Clifton Chenier: The Best Of. Sometimes referred to as "the King of Zydeco," the late (1925-1987) Clifton Chenier needs no further build-up here. *ca

CD 02676: Cheb i Sabbah: La Kahena. "On his new CD, named for a 7th-century freedom fighter, the Algerian mixmaster DJ Cheb i Sabbah takes the music of the North Africa and Moorish Spain on a magic carpet ride that floats electronica/techno effects over Berber, Jewish, Black African, and Arab instruments and genres, with vocals by some of world music's most evocative female singers" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *el*ia

CD 02675: Paul Simon: Surprise. Paul Simon may not still be crazy after all these years, but he is still one of music's biggest names, and here is his latest (2006) work. *ss

CD 02674: Ennio Morricone: Once Upon a Time... The Essential Ennio Morricone Film Music Collection. A two-CD set of spaghetti-western music from films such as The Good the Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars, plus more recent material from, among others, The Untouchables, The Mission, The Thing, and Hamlet. Morricone received a special honorary Oscar at the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony. *fl*mr

CD 02673: Jon Hassell: Maarifa Street. "In an era of world fusions and unlikely global collaborations, Jon Hassell continues reformulating the alchemy of his Fourth World music in fascinating and original ways. Maarifa Street is his first electric album in some time, and it's a deliriously seductive brew of Miles Davis-meets-dub stuttered through sampled groove fractures. Drawn from live recordings made over the last few years, the album illustrates Hassell's gift for carving soundscapes in real time, laying his breathy, harmonized trumpet lines across an interior panorama of ambient voodoo jazz" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *el*im*jz

CD 02672: Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention: Freak Out! Very early Frank Zappa (circa 1966) at his irreverent and startlingly original best. When Frank died in 1993 Suzy Creamcheese must have cried her heart out... *ar*eg*rk*ss

CD 02671: Moby: Hotel. This two-CD set from one of this generation's most flexible musical minds features an array of twenty-five pieces ranging from introspective vocal works to movie-like instrumentals to electronic ambient and New Age constructions. This is the music of a peaceful, focussed, and responsible man. Moby's music starts from a Christian perspective, but here the inspiration and message is implicit, always avoiding preaching or barking. *am*ar*el*im*ss

CD 02670: Gary Numan: Hybrid. There's a lot of angst and anger expressed in this 2003 two-CD release, but Numan is a sophisticated artist and manages to filter it through enough beats and electronics to come out sounding more mysterious than p.-o.'d. Still, pretty dark and intense as a set. *ar*el*rk

CD 02669: Brian Eno: Another Day on Earth. "Another Day on Earth is an ambient song cycle that is full of yearning and a mood that Brian Eno has called 'brave and resigned.' Even in song, Eno is a master of ambience, creating detailed soundworlds and lyrics that don't so much make sense as create a feeling. It's taken him 15 years to create a new vocal album, and the songs span that time, with the welcome reprise of 'Under,' a devastatingly beautiful hymn of loss and redemption..." [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *am*na*ss

CD 02668: Allen Toussaint: Southern Nights. A classic concept album from 1975, with great songs and performances by one of New Orleans' top r & b performers. Toussaint's career began in the 1950s, but he's still going strong. Toussaint is best known as a pianist and songwriter; among his best known titles are 'Working in a Coal Mine' and 'Brickyard Blues.' *ca*pf*rb

CD 02667: Youssou NDour: Immigrés. "Youssou's stunning international debut was both a patriotic appeal to his Senegalese compatriots living abroad and a declaration of his intent to make his music heard around the world...Immigrés, with its rattling percussion, strong melodies and pulsating West African horns shows N'Dour at his best...The intoxicating percussion lets rip, the brass is crisp, and the clarity of both the lead guitar and Youssou's swoon-inducing vocals is astounding..." [from the CD back cover]. *is*ss

CD 02666: Velvet Underground: White Light/White Heat. This classic album from 1968 was the VU's second, with both John Cale and Lou Reed still aboard, and the performances raw and intense. *ar*rk

CD 02665: Patty Griffin: 1000 Kisses. Nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, this is Patty Griffin as a mature artist. Although a bit hard to classify, her material falls somewhere in the vicinity of contemporary folk, alt-country, folk-rock, or singer-songwriter. *cf*ss

CD 02664: Harold Budd: As Long As I Can Hold My Breath / Avalon Sutra. The inimitable (and supposedly retiring from music) Harold Budd leaves us with a two-CD collection of his minimalistic New Age/jazz piano playing and small ensemble work. Most of the material can only be described visually in terms of gently falling snow. *ac*na*pf

CD 02663: Bob Marley & the Wailers: Burnin' (deluxe edition). This expanded two-CD version of the original milestone album includes alternate takes of 'Get Up Stand Up' ('I Shot the Sheriff' is also in this set) and a whole CD devoted to a live performance at Leeds, England, in 1973, previously unreleased. *pc*rg*ss

CD 02662: Burning Spear: Marcus Garvey. Burning Spear, aka Winston Rodney, has a fascination with the story of the life of Jamaican publisher and civil rights advocate Marcus Garvey (1887-1940). This album is dedicated to Garvey's memory, and relays Rodney's philosophy of black unity as advocated through a foundation of honesty, peace, and love. *pc*rg

CD 02661: Ray Davies: Other People's Lives. The term "songwriter's songwriter" is often bandied about to describe songwriters whose sensitivity to lyrics and story is so great as to impress other songwriters, much less fans. Ray Davies, long the lead singer of and inspirational force behind the English band The Kinks, is one of these people; in fact, he ranks among the most prominent and prolific of them all. Strangely, this 2006 CD is Davies' first solo album, but it looks like he still has things to say. *ss

CD 02660: Judy Mowatt: Black Woman. Jamaican singer Judy Mowatt started her career in the late 60s as a reggae performer (though more recently she has turned to gospel singing). Mowatt worked closely with Bob Marley for a number of years. This CD, originally from 1980, was one of her biggest successes. *pc*rg*wm

CD 02659: Beck: Mellow Gold. This 1994 release by Beck was his first on a major label. Characterizing his music is a bit difficult, as he draws on a variety of contemporary styles ranging from folk to grunge. 'Always the storyteller, however. *ar*rk*ss

CD 02656: James Brown: Live at the Apollo, 1962. Expanded edition. Here we are, in the early days of James Brown's career, at the Apollo Theater, that most-famous-of-all venues of African American popular music. This is truly one of greatest recorded live performances in the history of American music. A 1998 addition to the Grammy Hall of Fame. *rb

CD 02645: Joni Mitchell: Blue. Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell was one of the 1970s' most successful performers. This 1971 album, one of her best releases, includes memorable tracks such as 'Carey,' 'A Case of You,' and 'All I Want.' *cf*ss*wm

CD 02636: Alan Stivell: Zoom 70 / 95. A 2-CD survey of the man who more than anyone else was responsible for the worldwide Celtic music revival over the last third of the twentieth century. Includes 35 cuts in all, ranging from solo Celtic harp pieces to an array of string and electric band group ensembles. *ac*ce*cf*ie

CD 02635: Tin Hat Trio: Memory Is An Elephant. In this 1999 CD the Trio is up to its usual tricks, which means atmospheric acoustic pieces featuring violin, accordion, and guitar-banjo-mandolin, and ranging in style from French cabaret to avant garde experimental "New" music recalling jazz and classical forms. *ac*im

CD 02634: Ralph McTell: From Clare to Here: The Songs of Ralph McTell. Englishman McTell is one of the few contemporary folkies to mark a number one hit (with 'Streets of London'), but his catalogue at this point contains dozens of other covered songs, including the title cut. McTell is also a very fine acoustic guitarist and an affecting singer, but here the focus is on songwriting. *ag*cf*ss

CD 02633: The Horse Flies: Gravity Dance. This 1991 release is one of the best by this enduring string band, who seem to be able to handle just about any kind of rootsy material in the general realm of alt-country or alt-folk. *ac*cf*cy

CD 02632: Patrick Ball: The Music of Turlough O'Carolan. Ball is pretty much the leading Celtic harpist, especially among those who favor traditional approaches. In this work he takes on history's most famous composer for the instrument, the 17th/18th century blind itinerant Irish bard Turlough O'Carolan. *ac*cl*tf

CD 02631: Ferron: Not a Still Life. Canadian Ferron is a "folk singer/songwriter and poet. In addition to being one of Canada's most famous folk musicians, she is one of the most influential writers and performers of women's music, and an important influence on later musicians such as Ani DiFranco and the Indigo Girls" [from wikipedia.org]. This is a live album from 1992. *cf*ss*wm

CD 02626: Aster Aweke: Live in London. "There's no mistaking Aster Aweke's primary influences. Listen, for example, to her early '90s albums...with their Memphis-style horn section, soulful keyboards and crackling drums, and it's immediately apparent why she's sometimes been dubbed the 'African Aretha Franklin.' Lady Soul, along with the Godfather, James Brown, and vocally versatile jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, loom largely in her roots, her deep R&B/funk groove a reminder that bridges are meant to be crossed" [from globalrhythm.net]. Ethiopian Aweke has a strong following among American expatriates from that nation. *ia*jz*rb

CD 02625: Cherish the Ladies: New Day Dawning. Cherish the Ladies is an ever-changing group of woman musicians who sing and play acoustic folk music from the world tradition--though usually with a decided Celtic emphasis. This offering indeed features British Isles music, including a rousing version of the well known Robert Burns song, 'Green Grow the Rushes Oh.' *ac*cf*ie*tf

CD 02624: Roy Harper: Stormcock. Roy Harper has never become very well known in the U.S., though in Britain he has a considerable reputation as a sensitive singer-songwriter in a contemporary folk mold. This CD is one of his early efforts, from 1971, and features four long pieces of contemplative nature performed solo, on voice and guitar. *ac*cf*ss

CD 02623: James Blood Ulmer: Odyssey. This is "a very different and exciting recording from a unique and instantly recognizable guitar voice. It also poignantly captures a period of bold musical experimentation in downtown early 1980's New York City when funk, punk, jazz, and blues were seamlessly co-mingling, and young lions in three-piece suits were only beginning to xerox jazz's past" [from the liner notes]. *ar*eg*jz

CD 02622: Dougie MacLean: The Dougie MacLean Collection. This is a "best of" collection of the songs of Dougie MacLean, one of the leading singer/songwriters of the new Celtic/British folk scene. MacLean is known as a singer of both traditional and original materials, but here the latter are featured. *ac*cf*ss

CD 02621: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Here's a brass- and piano-centered band that is right at home with a variety of familiar upbeat styles: boogie-woogie, swing, mambo, dixieland, and big band jazz, to name a few. Includes both vocal and instrumental pieces. *ca*jz*mr

CD 02620: Terje Rypdal & The Chasers: Blue. Norwegian Rypdal is one of that rare breed of electric jazz guitarists who composes works that are often cross-listed in classical music catalogues. He claims as some of his influences Jimi Hendrix, Hank Marvin (of the Shadows), Jeff Beck, Stevie Winwood, Eddie Van Halen, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Byrd, and John McLaughlin. *eg*jz

CD 02619: Christy Moore: The Christy Moore Collection 81-91. Christy Moore, onetime leader of the band Planxty, is fast becoming the leading elder statesman of the Irish contemporary folk scene. In this retrospective program of twenty traditional and contemporary songs (composed by himself, and others) the earlier firebrand of political criticism plies somewhat more reflective waters. *cf*ie*pc*ss*tf

CD 02618: Koko Taylor: Queen of the Blues. The title says it all--except to indicate the wonderful sidemen here: Albert Collins, James Cotton, Son Seals, and Lonnie Brooks. *bl

CD 02617: Joan Armatrading: Me Myself I. Joan Armatrading's music programs range in just about as many directions as anyone's can--blues, MOR, contemporary folk, jazz, singer/songwriter, West Indian--but ultimately are held together by her remarkable, almost masculine, voice. This is early Joan, from 1980. *bl*cf*rb*ss

CD 02616: Philip Glass: Music in Twelve Parts. "'Music in Twelve Parts,' written by Philip Glass between 1971 and 1974, is a deliberate, encyclopedic compendium of some techniques of repetition the composer had been evolving since the mid 1960s...[It is] both a massive theoretical exercise and a deeply engrossing work of art" [from the liner notes]. Glass is one of the originators of and leading figures in the style known as "minimalism." *cl

CD 02615: Ani DiFranco: Not a Pretty Girl. This 1995 CD from DiFranco (put out by "Righteous Babe" Records...) helped land her at the top of the heap in the alt-folk category. DiFranco has a confessional style of writing that complements her short black hair and punk jewelry, clothes and attitude, and an interesting vocal (reminds me of Laurie Anderson) delivery that is well served by her percussive (reminds me of Patty Larkin) guitar play. *cf*ss*wm

CD 02614: Bill Miller: The Red Road. Bill Miller brings a Native American perspective to his singing and songwriting. Some of his material verges on contemporary folk, while other tracks revert to a very traditional sound making use of flutes and Native American dances--or, even, both directions on the same piece. *ac*cf*in*ss

CD 02613: Sergio & Odair Assad: Play Piazzolla. The internationally-acclaimed Assad brother team here teams up to play the music of the late Astor Piazzolla, leader of the "new tango" school of classical music. *ag*cl

CD 02612: Luther Allison: Soul Fixin' Man. "Magnificent, emotion-drenched electric blues...his solos are on a par with B. B. King's, his slide swoops and soars. His gritty voice choked with passion, Luther delivers a fever-and-chills performance" [from the liner notes]. *bl*eg

CD 02536: Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps. One of folk-rocker Neil Young's most successful albums, originally released in 1979. "My my, hey hey, rock and roll is here to stay. It's better to burn out than to fade away..." (from 'My My, Hey Hey'). *rk*ss

CD 02370: Eleftheria Arvanitaki: Ola Sto Fos (Everything Brought to Light). Okay, I'd not heard of her either, but on listening one discovers an MOR soprano with only fair vocal range, but who manages to sound good across a wide selection of emotional terrain. The material is excellent (though sung in Greek, lyrics are given in English), and the backup band first-rate. Strangely, and despite her black hair, she bears a pretty strong physical and facial resemblance to Carly Simon (if one can judge from several hundred photos on the Web...). *ie

CD 02368: Groundhogs: The Best Of. The Groundhogs were a three-man British blues band most active in the late 60s and early 70s. For a while they did quite well, scoring three top ten albums; this success probably can be attributed mainly to the superb playing of their guitarist leader Tony "T. S." McPhee, one of the best. If you're a Stevie Ray Vaughan-style blues guitar fan, take a listen (and note the occasional obvious debt to Jimi Hendrix). *bl*rk

CD 02367: Trilok Gurtu: African Fantasy. Five-time winner as jazz percussonist in the annual DownBeat polls, Bombay native Gurtu has played with an impressive list of folks, including Joe Zawinul, Pat Metheny, the Labecque sisters, John McLaughlin, Oregon, L. Shankar, Jan Garbarek, Zakir Hussain, and Don Cherry. In this 2000 CD he crosses a lot of boundaries, producing a "jazz fantasy" uniting South Asian and African sounds. *ac*ia*is*jz

CD 02366: Klaus Schulze: X. Album number ten by this key figure in the history of electronic music, and godfather to the ambient, techno, house, and trance genres. I'll bet you know at least some of this music, even if you've never heard of Klaus Schulze himself. *am*ar*el

CD 02362: Bert Jansch: Bert Jansch / It Don't Bother Me. The first two albums, circa 1965, by one of the twentieth century's most influential acoustic guitar stylists. Jansch would later form the innovative jazz-folk string band Pentangle and record memorable guitar duets with his countryman John Renbourn, but it is in these two early recordings that history was really made. *ag*cf

CD 02361: Gerry Milnes and Lorraine Lee Hammond: Hell Up Coal Holler. Lorraine Lee (Hammond) has long been known as a leading dulcimer player, and here she teams with Milnes for an intimate set of traditional, rural, and mountain tunes. *ac*tf

CD 02355: Sam Bush: King of My World. A 2004 release from one local boy who certainly made good. *ac*bg

CD 02354: Rosco Gordon: No Dark in America. Recorded in 2002 just before the 74 year old pianist died, this set does full justice to the Memphis native's unique r & b style. Gordon was especially known for his ballads, but here enlisted a bunch of younger Nashville players who brought out the bounce and shuffle of his piano playing style, without concealing any of his famous good-naturedness. The title track, the last song Gordon completed, is a defiant yet upbeat anthem concerning the 9/11 WTC attack: "...there's no dark, it's always light in America." *bl*pf*rb

CD 02353: J. J. Cale: The Very Best Of. Tulsa Sound singer-songwriter J. J. Cale has been at his mix of country, rockabilly and blues for over forty years, though not always in the limelight. He is probably best known for writing two of Eric Clapton's most famous songs, 'After Midnight' and 'Cocaine.' They're both here, along with eighteen other tracks. *bl*cy*rk

CD 02352: Robin Holcomb: Robin Holcomb. Gee, Robin Holcomb is really a class act. In this, her first release (from 1990), the singer-songwriter is sparse and poetic, yet absolutely gripping: "When you're blinded to the moon and its rise, How can you know the planting times? Streetlights tell lies. Deliver me." The mood is enhanced by the efforts of class sidemen like Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, and John Caulfield. *ss*wm

CD 02351: Kaki King: Everybody Loves You. This self-produced 2003 CD was the first by King, an acoustic guitar virtuoso of the Michael Hedges-Preston Reed school of play (lots of notes produced by directly tapping the strings rather than plucking them). This is a player who stands a good chance to become one of the leading stylists of her generation. *ag

CD 02350: Cowboy Junkies: Black Eyed Man. Canadian band Cowboy Junkies formed in Toronto in the mid 1980s and began a career exploring some of the more unusual sideroads of alt-rock and alt-country. This 1992 release features Margo Timmins out front on the vocals, several songs by brother and producer Michael, and a couple of very good Townes Van Zandt covers. *ar*cy

CD 02349: Hüsker Dü: Zen Arcade. Generally regarded as their masterpiece and as one of the most influential recordings of the entire punk rock oeuvre, this eclectic 1984 album was Hüsker Dü's third. A concept album about an adolescent who runs away from home, the work shifts through jazz, punk, acoustic, pop, and psychedelic sequences until all is revealed as a dream in a long album-ending instrumental. *rk

CD 02348: The Klezmatics: Possessed. "Klezmatics mix jazz, folk, rock and Jewish music into a unique and powerful new sound. This album is one of the more challenging of their many works, leaping from genre to genre with seeming abandon" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *is

CD 02347: The Seldom Scene: Best Of. This 1986 release captures many of the great moments from this legendary bluegrass act's stellar career, including the sensational vocals by the group's founder, the late John Duffey. *bg

CD 02346: The Klezmorim: Metropolis. A 1981 recording by one of the first internationally known acts in the klezmer music genre. *is

CD 02345: Adrienne Young & Little Sadie: The Art of Virtue. "The Art of Virtue is a fun, poppy country-folk album--more folk than country and more either than pop, but nevertheless accessible while remaining true to its roots... This is a string band, featuring Young on clawhammer banjo, that knows what it's doing... Fusing past and present in her pop-inflected old time music, Adrienne Young applies a worldly compassion, a poet's pen and a spirit of independence and self-reliance to her sophomore effort" [from two Amazon.com editorial reviews]. *cf*cy

CD 02344: The Roots: Things Fall Apart. The Roots' fourth album, from 1999, and acclaimed by many as a milepost recording in the hip-hop catalog. "It opens with a film dialogue sampled, social commentary... [leading] the listener to expect something special, and The Roots more than fulfil any expectations of the listener. It's never been their style to promote bravado and posturing and they don't fall victim to this; its more about self-awareness and social observation, coupled with elements of smooth soul and ambitious jazz" [from an Amazon.com customer review]. *hi*rb

CD 02343: Mary-Chapin Carpenter: Come On Come On. Singer-songwriter Carpenter in her best known, multi-Grammy-winning, 1992 release. *cf*cy*ss

CD 02342: Sly & Robbie: In Good Company. Sly & Robbie represent one of the most famous and prolific production teams in music, their specialty being reggae. This is a 2001 collection of some of their best work, including cuts by Grace Jones, Black Uhuru, Joan Armatrading, Joe Cocker, Toots Hibbert, Dennis Brown and others. *rg

CD 02341: Ani Difranco: Puddle Dive. This 1993 CD continued the Difranco image that has now become familiar: folk-punk, cute, pierced, poetic, intelligent, acoustic guitar-driven, and not afraid to say what's on her mind. 'Nice to see that such a person can still become a superstar in today's world. *cf*ss*wm

CD 02340: Michael Franti & Spearhead: Stay Human. "There aren't many hip-hop artists out there today who give a damn about putting positive messages in their music, but Michael Franti is one of them. Ever since his days with seminal group Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Franti has infused his sounds with insightful and thought-provoking lyricism, and this latest Spearhead joint is no exception... Through a make-believe community radio station, Franti tells the tale of Sister Fatima, a healer and activist who is being put to death for a crime that her community believes she didn't commit" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *hi*rb*ss

CD 02339: Luka Bloom: The Acoustic Motorbike. Luka Bloom started out as Barry Moore, Christy Moore's younger brother, then changed his name and style. This, his second album under his new persona, is probably his best so far, with lots of acoustic guitar, Irish sentimentality and emotion, and straight from the heart song writing. *cf*ss

CD 02338: Cabaret Voltaire: The Original Sound of Sheffield '83 / '87; Best Of. This "best of" collection is "from one of the most important groups in the history of industrial & electronic music... [it] covers their most accessible period. 'Sensoria', 'I Want You', 'Don't Argue', and 'Here to Go' not only ruled the underground scene, but the mainstream dancefloors as well. Compiled with the help of Richard H Kirk, the collection features the full 12 Inch mixes, many of which are on CD for the first time, along with one track, previously unavailable on any format" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *am*el*ho

CD 02337: Patty Griffin: Living With Ghosts. This was Patty Griffin's breakthrough 1996 release, a collection of her older songs set to folk rock or alt folk arrangements. Sensitive and engaging, she has since moved from one success to another, including Grammy nominations and other awards. Her songs are also becoming popular through covers by well-known artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, Emmylou Harris, and Mary-Chapin Carpenter. *cf*rk*ss*wm

CD 02336: Raihan: Syukur. The Malaysian group Raihan is now one of that country's top musical attractions, having emerged in 1997 with a style of pop devotional Islamic music that is honest, bright, and refreshingly straightforward. Interestingly, two of the songs on this their second CD are sung by Yusuf Islam, better known to Western audiences as Cat Stevens. *is*re

CD 02335: Melissa Etheridge: Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled. The well known 80s and 90s lesbian singer-songwriter and cancer survivor plays seventeen of her best songs. *ss*wm

CD 02334: Sage Francis: Personal Journals. "Sage is an accomplished spoken word poet and emcee with several competitive titles to his name within both genres. He also performs with a live band, Art Official Intelligence, and together with Joe Beats and DJ Perseus, forms the Non-Prophets. He is equal parts serious and silly, but never fails to be entertaining" [from an Amazon.com review]. *cm*hi*ss

CD 02333: Pierce Pettis: Great Big World. A 2004 CD by a man who is finally becoming recognized as one of our best singer-songwriters in a contemporary folk or alt-country vein. Side players include Alison Brown on banjo, Stuart Duncan on fiddle and mandolin, Kenny Malone on drums--and the great Danny Thompson on acoustic bass. *cf*cy*ss

CD 02332: Richard Shindell: Somewhere Near Paterson. Shindell's fourth CD, from 2000, was his most impressive yet. If you like sensitive lyrics and singing gracing a first-rate contemporary folk instrumental setting, this one's for you. Side performers include Larry Campbell, Denny McDermott, Lucy Kaplansky, Dar Williams, Kenny White, and Lincoln Schleifer. *cf

CD 02331: Ozomatli: Street Signs. Los Angeles band Ozomatli marries a basically Latin groove to jazz, hip- hop, and rock. In this CD they continue to move afield, integrating a classical symphony and a touch of North African Rai. A hearty mix, and a 2005 Grammy winner. *in*jz*rk

CD 02330: Mos Def: Black on Both Sides. "Mos Def, one-half of the much loved Brooklyn duo Black Star, breaks out on his own with the most intense solo debut in hip-hop since The Miseducation of Lauren Hill. Like Miseducation, Black on Both Sides stretches the definition of the genre to incorporate all aspects of music of the African Diaspora, from reggae to jazz, to form a new kind of sound" [from a cduniverse.com editorial review]. *hi*rb

CD 02329: Stan Rogers: Between the Breaks...Live! The late great Stan Rogers is featured here in a live set from 1979 including nine wonderfully stirring performances--most notably of Archie Fisher's 'Witch of the Westmorland,' 'Barrett's Privateers,' and Rogers' signature tune, 'The Mary Ellen Carter.' *cf

CD 02328: Kathleen Edwards: Failer. Canadian singer-songwriter "Kathleen Edwards plainly has attitude to burn and a killer band to back it up. As a rootsy artist who sings about sexual attraction and betrayal with a languid breathiness, she inevitably has been tagged a younger Lucinda Williams, but it would make as much sense to describe her as an alt-country Ani DiFranco or a female Ryan Adams" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *cy*ss*wm

CD 02327: Cheb Mami: Lazrag Saâni. Algerian-born vocalist (he has a three-octave range) and songwriter Cheb Mami is one of the top names in Rai, a hybrid musical style combining North African rhythms and moods with European jazz, pop, and dance styles. In 2000 his duet with Sting on 'Desert Rose' became an international best-seller. This CD is a compilation; Mami has been recording since the early 80s. *ia*ie

CD 02324: Johnny Clegg & Savuka: Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World. "Johnny Clegg is a man caught between two worlds. On one hand, his music is so infectious that you can't help but get caught up in the sheer joy of Savuka's masterly blend of Zulu sounds and western pop. On the other hand, there is the dark heart of politics that informed Clegg's life as a white man leading a multi-racial band in South Africa during the clashes of that nation's violent struggles in change" [from an Amazon.com customer review]. *ia*pc

CD 02320: Eliza Gilkyson: Land of Milk and Honey. "Woody Guthrie's 'Peace Call' provides a timely conclusion to this collection of politically pointed material. Trading verses with Texas troubadour Eliza Gilkyson on the pacifist anthem are kindred spirits Patty Griffin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Iris DeMent. Much of the rest of the album finds Gilkyson applying her vocal warmth and buoyant melodies to lyrics that probe the darker recesses of the human condition" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *cf*pc*ss*wm

CD 02319: Laurie Lewis: Earth & Sky: Songs of Laurie Lewis. Singer, songwriter and fiddle and acoustic bass player Laurie Lewis draws on three of her previously released sets, and adds several new tracks. Lewis's music rides in that comfortable zone drawing on folk, country, and bluegrass, and her sidemen on the collection include the likes of Mike Marshall, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Malone, Tim O'Brien, Sam Bush, Russ Barenberg, Craig Smith, Darol Anger and others. *bg*cf*cy

CD 02312: Ramblin' Jack Elliott: The Essential. This recording originally came out in 1976 as a Vanguard Records "twofer," and even though at that time he already seemed like he'd been around forever, his career is still going, on into the twenty-first century. Elliott is the quintessential traveling folk singer, in the lineage of Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston. *tf

CD 02311: D. L. Menard: Cajun Saturday Night. Guitarist-singer-songwriter D. L. Menard is one of the biggest names in Cajun music, trading in a traditional sound that blends pure country with a bit of rockabilly and French influence. Helping out Menard on this release are, among others, Buck White (of The Whites), Jerry Douglas on dobro, and Ricky Skaggs on fiddle. *ca*cy

CD 02310: John Adams: On the Transmigration of Souls. This John Adams is neither our second president, a premium beer, nor the Alaskan ambient composer, but instead the well-known Californian minimalist composer and conductor. This 2004 recording consists of one twenty-five minute piece, composed in honor of the heroes and victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks. *cl

CD 02309: P. J. Harvey: Is This Desire? Polly Jean is up to her usual agonizings in this 1998 release, her fifth album. Powerful stuff, this, and fully deserving of its Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Performance the next year. *ar*rk*ss*wm

CD 02308: Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. This early 1970s set showcased "urban troubadour" Gil Scott-Heron in a variety of blues, jazz, and r & b contexts, but it was the title cut, one of the freshest creations of the period, that ultimately drew attention. Other titles on this CD include 'The Prisoner,' 'Pieces of a Man,' 'Home is Where the Hatred Is,' and 'Whitey on the Moon.' Some good sidemen, too: e.g., Ron Carter, David Spinozza, and Hubert Laws. *hi*jz*pc*rb

CD 02307: Mark O'Connor: Thirty-Year Retrospective. Mark O'Connor is "New Grass"'s star fiddler: when it comes to speed and technical prowess he's the top man around. While this two-CD record of his successes starts with material originally recorded in the mid-1970s, it is not merely a collection of his old works: instead O'Connor specially recorded them anew, live in a concert given in 2002. *ac*bg

CD 02306: Femi Kuti: Fight to Win. Femi Kuti, son of the late, great, African musician Fela Kuti, here carries on the family tradition with a powerful set of political songs set to a crisp Afro-beat. Kuti was born in London, raised in Nigeria (where for many years he played in his father's band), and judging from the material is apparently unafraid of ruffling the feathers of those he feels are the oppressors. *ia*pc

CD 02305: Ry Cooder et al.: Buena Vista Social Club. "Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban son musicians who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *in

CD 02303: Charlie McCoy: Harpin' the Blues. A program of works by the best known harmonica player in country music--back in the days when he was playing the blues. *ac*bl

CD 02301: Donovan: Summer Day Reflection Songs. Before Donovan became enthralled with pop psychedelia, he was one of his period's best folksinger-songwriters--pretty clearly, in a Woody Guthrie mold. This two CD collection pulls together material from circa 1965-1966, including folk standards like 'Catch the Wind' and 'Colours,' and a couple of dozen more. *cf*tf

CD 02300: Dr. John: The Very Best of Dr. John. Once known in the psychedelic haze days as "the Night Tripper," Dr. John is a master of piano-based New Orleans music styles--that is to say, blues, cajun, and boogie-woogie. None of it ever seems to become dated. *bl*ca*pf

CD 02299: Doc Watson & David Grisman: Doc & Dawg. Two of the big names in instrumental music in a CD of traditional (or near traditional) tunes, with plenty of guitar and mandolin to go around... *ac*ag*bg*cf*tf

CD 02298: Devo: Q: Are We Not Men? Well, they may well have been men, but anyone who saw their spectacular first performance on Saturday Night Live! many years ago probably thinks of them as being more closely affined with the insect tribe... *ar

CD 02297: Jerry Douglas: The Best Kept Secret. It is no secret that instrumentalist extraordinaire Jerry Douglas is the best dobro player alive, as this set clearly shows. In this 2005 release he is aided by friends Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss, Bill Frisell, Derek Trucks, and John Fogerty. *ac*bg

CD 02296: The David Grisman Quintet: The David Grisman Quintet. 1977 New Grass from DGQ, here consisting of mandolinist David Grisman, Darol Anger, Tony Rice, Bill Amatneek, and Todd Phillips. *ac*bg

CD 02295: Lucy Kaplansky: The Red Thread. Lucy Kaplansky's stock in trade is a strong and expressive contemporary folk voice that elegantly expresses intelligently written material, mostly on personal subjects. The Chicago native started out as a professional psychologist, though she has long since become well known enough as a solo musician (and also with the group Cry Cry Cry) to give up the day job. This, her fifth solo project, includes cameo appearances by Richard Shindell, John Gorka, and Eliza Gilkyson. *cf*ss*wm

CD 02293: Angélique Kidjo: Oyaya! It doesn't take a very long look at--or listen to--Angélique Kidjo to know you're dealing with an international star. The Benin-born singer-songwriter now calls France home, but most of her work remains in the Afrobeat tradition. "The third part in a trilogy that previously explored African roots in music from the United States (Oremi) and Brazil (Black Ivory Soul), Oyaya! fuses African and French lyrics to music that draws upon musical traditions of the Caribbean Diaspora" [from ayemusic.free.fr]. Lots of horns, and hot, danceable beats! *ia*in

CD 02292: Neil Young: Tonight's the Night. The 1975 album that secured Young's reputation as a rocker, here backed by his band Crazy Horse. In part a tribute to--and "commentary" on--Crazy Horse member Danny Whitten, who had recently died of a drug overdose. *rk

CD 02291: Steve Hackett: Voyage of the Acolyte. This mid-70s record features Hackett in his younger days, just after establishing his reputation as the lead guitarist for the progressive rock band Genesis. A lot of the material indeed sounds like Genesis (or Yes) fare; some also reminds one of another guitarist, Jeff Beck, during his Blow By Blow period (the two albums were released the same year). *eg*rk

CD 02290: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: The Best Of. This nearly fifteen year retrospective of Nick Cave's work gives a good sample of this alternative rock singer/songwriter's oeuvre. Cave is bit chameleonic; much of the time he seems to be inhabiting Jim Morrison's body and voice (with even darker lyrics), but you can also hear strong touches of David Byrne and Van Morrison, and even some Dylan, Tim Buckley, and DC5. *ar*rk*ss

CD 02289: Christopher O'Riley: True Love Waits; Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead. In one of the less likely projects of 2003, celebrated classical pianist Christopher O'Riley plays solo piano transcriptions of Radiohead songs--apparently, O'Riley is an avid fan of the group. *cl*pf

CD 02288: Natalie Merchant: The House Carpenter's Daughter. Natalie Merchant is best known as the lead singer for the group 10,000 Maniacs. In this 2003 release Merchant heads out in a new direction for her, tackling a program of traditional songs. *cf*tf

CD 02287: Marc Bolan & T. Rex: 20th Century Boy: The Ultimate Collection. Glam rocker Marc Bolan was a top star in England in the early 1970s, though here he was mostly known in connection with his band T. Rex ('Bang A Gong'). Alas, he too is no longer with us, the victim of an automobile accident in 1977. *ar*rk

CD 02286: Gillian Welch: Time (The Revelator). Take a bit of blues, country, folk and rockabilly and shuffle them up; then add in a good pinch of songwriting skills and a listenable voice, and what do you have? Well, in this case it's Gillian Welch, one of the last decade's biggest roots music success stories. *cf*cy*ss*wm

CD 02285: Stan Getz, João & Astrud Gilberto, & Antonio Carlos Jobim: Getz/Gilberto. This classic album, recorded in 1963, brought together these big names in Brazilian music at the top of their powers. This is the defining recording of the bossa nova era, including the famous compositions 'The Girl from Ipanema' and 'Desafinado.' *in

CD 02284: Bill Morrissey: The Essential Collection. Contemporary folkie Bill Morrisey is an acquired taste: the New Hampshire native has made a career out of writing and performing oft-covered self-effacing songs that dwell on simple, poignant subjects--and an off-the-cuff delivery style that only barely amounts to singing. Still, he's an original, and a keeper. *cf*ss

CD 02283: Warren Zevon: The Wind. This was singer/songwriter Zevon's last musical release; he died in 2003 at the age of 56. Winner of two Grammy awards, the work well exhibits the quick wit and sly, acerbic sense of humor that originally made him famous through songs like 'Werewolves of London' and 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me.' *rk*ss

CD 02282: Rautavaara: Cantus Arcticus. Einojuhani Rautavaara is currently Finland's most celebrated classical composer. Rautavaara has a penchant for exploration: "his works are refreshingly idiosyncratic--'Cantus Arcticus' layers taped cries of wild birds upon somber, mysterious orchestral waves--for music that is haunting, and unforgettably evocative" [from the liner notes]. *cl

CD 02281: The Horse Flies: In the Dance Tent. The Horse Flies are an alternative string band that since their formative days in the early 80s have explored material ranging from traditional fiddle sounds to art music. This live CD from 2000 does a good job of reviewing that range, which by now extends to the worlds of rock, folk, minimalist, international, and film music. *ac

CD 02280: Loudon Wainwright III: Last Man on Earth. Confessional singer-songwriter Wainwright has a long track record of irreverent musings, and more often than not he is the butt of his complaints. With Wainwright one never knows whether to laugh or cry, or do both at once. This 2001 release is based largely on his relationship with his mother, who had recently died. *cf*ss

CD 02279: Janis Ian: Between the Lines. Janis Ian's career as a topical folksinger/songwriter took off just as she entered her teens in the early 60s. This, her best known album, is from some years later, and includes her big hit 'At Seventeen.' *cf*ss*wm

CD 02278: John Mayall: The Turning Point. A classic 1969 album from bluesman-harmonica player and vocalist Mayall, including the inspiring cuts 'Room to Move' and 'California.' *bl*rk

CD 02277: Charlie Musselwhite: Deluxe Edition. Musselwhite is one of the leading exponents of the Chicago electric blues sound. This is mostly straight-ahead, mow-you-down fare tempered by his extraordinary skill on the harmonica. The material is mostly taken from three of Musselwhite's best albums, from the early 1990s. *bl

CD 02276: John Hammond: John Hammond Live. John Hammond Jr. ("Jr.," to distinguish him from his famous father, the music producer, who "discovered" Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan, and James Taylor) has been one of our leading acoustic blues performers since he first hit the scene in the early 60s. What does he sound like? Well, suffice it to say that I'll bet he breaks more guitar strings than just about anyone else around... *ag*bl

CD 02275: Gordon Bok: A Rogue's Gallery of Songs for 12-String. Long known as one of the Northeast's best storyteller/folksingers and for his work with Bok, Muir & Trickett, Bok's picking on the 12-string is equally absorbing--especially if you like the combination of a deep, rough-hewn voice and a matchingly grand and resonant musical instrument. *ag*cf

CD 02274: Kitaro: Best of Silk Road. In his lesser moments Kitaro is Japan's answer to John Tesh and Yanni. In his better moments (and this is one of them), however, the past multi-Grammy award nominee shows that he can be a master at constructing rich instrumental soundscapes: this 2003 CD is derived from the soundtrack to a Japanese television series, and rates "as a masterpiece for its serene and seductive arrangements, gentle melodies and combination of lush, majestic textures" [from www.discord.co.uk]. *im*na

CD 02273: Mimi & Richard Fariña: Best of the Vanguard Years. Writer/playwright and topical folk singer/songwriter Richard Fariña also gained fame as an inventive dulcimer player; Mimi Fariña, Joan Baez's younger sister, was also a fine singer and instrumentalist. Just two albums into their career, unfortunately, Richard was killed in a motorcycle accident. *ac*cf*pc*ss

CD 02272: Kris Kristofferson: Singer/Songwriter. An appropriate title for this two-CD retrospective collection, as Kristofferson, whatever his good looks, Nashville smile and pop persona, has always most shone as a sensitive lyricist, tunesmith, and singer. Here, he gets to perform his songs on one disc, and listen to others (including Johnny Cash, Ray Price, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan, among others) cover his material on the second. *cy*ss

CD 02271: Davy Graham: Folk, Blues & Beyond. Brit Davy Graham was among the most inventive and influential musicians of his generation. In Folk, Blues & Beyond--a legendary, landmark album--Graham drew on international folk, blues and popular sources to redefine play on the acoustic guitar, in so doing becoming perhaps the single most prescient force in the development of the English school of folk rock and contemporary folk in the mid 1960s. *ag*cf

CD 02270: Popol Vuh: Einsjäger & Siebenjäger. Popol Vuh's first album was released in 1970, at which point they were one of a number of German bands exploring new directions, especially in electronic music. Eventually their leader, Florian Fricke, would turn away from synthesizer-based music and move toward an airier instrumental sound (Fricke called it "fantasy music" or "shamanism music") some twenty years ahead of their time. Fricke died in 2001, but recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the group's music. Einsjäger & Siebenjäger is an early title, from 1975. *im*na

CD 02268: Donovan: In Concert. An in-concert recording from 1968 including renditions of two Donovan hits, 'Mellow Yellow' and 'There Is a Mountain,' but more importantly wonderful bordering-on-jazz performances (flute/sax virtuoso Harold McNair is on hand) of some of the best material from his albums of that period: timeless gems like 'Young Girl Blues,' 'Isle of Islay,' 'Celeste,' 'The Fat Angel,' 'Guinevere,' 'Widow With a Shawl,' and 'Writer in the Sun.' *cf

CD 02267: The Strawbs: Halcyon Days: The Very Best Of. The Strawbs were one of the most successful British art-rock bands of the late 60s and early 70s; they had several hit singles in England and even placed four of their albums on the U.S. charts. They sounded a bit like a cross between Traffic and early Yes, which perhaps is not that strange considering Rick Wakeman was their keyboardist for a while (Sandy Denny also sang for them for a period), but most of all they sounded like Dave Cousins, their leader and primary vocalist. This excellent 2-CD collection focuses on their most productive period. *ar*rk

CD 02266: David Arkenstone: Caravan of Light. Arkenstone has two Grammy nominations under his belt as well as a long string of hit CDs falling pretty squarely within the "New Age" style. His influences are diverse, ranging from pop to computer technology and Kitaro (the last explaining a lot about his generally lush instrumental arrangements and exotic approach). In this 2000 release the sounds and feelings are light and romantic, as one might have fantasies of a North African caravan experience. *im*na

CD 02265: Paul Brady: Nobody Knows: The Best Of. From even his earliest days with the Johnstons, and then with Planxty in the 70s, Paul Brady has been recognized as one of Ireland's premier folk singers and singer-songwriters. This 2001 release provides a sample of his work outside of those bands from the 70s on through the 90s. He continues to be very active, just this past month (as of this writing) touring the western U. S. as a guest of Bonnie Raitt, one of his many collaborators over the years. *cf*ss

CD 02264: Emmanuel Jal & Abdel Gadir Salim: Ceasefire. Jal, a Christian "gospel rapper," and Salim, a Muslem musician of more traditional forms, are both from Sudan. Here they collaborate in 2005 in anticipation of the cessation of violence in that country occasioned by a peace agreement between the warring factions. *hi*ia

CD 02263: Utah Phillips & Ani Difranco: The Past Didn't Go Anywhere. It was a great idea to couple the Wild Bill Hickok of contemporary topical folksingers, Utah Phillips, with the well-known and commercially successful alternative/punk folkie Ani Difranco. In this 1996 CD Phillips wrote all the words and Difranco supplied all the music--which doesn't quite describe things, as despite Phillips' ability to write beautiful songs (e.g., 'Goodnight Loving Trail' and 'The Telling Takes Me Home'), the material here consists entirely of story-telling by Phillips set to rap-like instrumentation and electronics. *cf*pc

CD 02262: Lisa Germano: Geek the Girl. This rather sobering CD of longing music by alternative singer-songwriter Lisa Germano, includes titles like 'Phantom Love,' 'Cancer of Everything,' 'Sexy Little Girl Princess,' and the title cut. A bit of a downer, I think, but at the least painfully genuine, and maybe misery needs company... *ar*wm

CD 02261: Buddy Miller: Midnight and Lonesome. Guitarist Miller writes his own material, covers others' (including several pieces by wife Julie), and sings and performs in a style not far from mid-stream country, were it not for the more serious material and deliberate injections of rock, blues, and classic material. This CD features cameos by Emmylou Harris and Lee Ann Womack. *cy*rk*ss

CD 02260: Buckwheat Zydeco & the Ils Sont Partis Band: 100% Fortified Zydeco. From a 1983 recording session, Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr., and his faithful companions play the real deal. *ca

CD 02252: Arlo Guthrie: Alice's Restaurant. This, Arlo's first album, featuring his sensational song-story of the same name, rocketed him into national prominence in the summer of 1967--just months before his father, the great Woody Guthrie, succumbed to Huntington's disease. "Walk right in, it's around the back, just a half a mile from the railroad track..." *cf

CD 02251: Michael Franks: The Best Of: A Backward Glance. Jazz singer/songwriter Michael Franks is known for his wry sense of humor and cool, calm and collected delivery: witness his perhaps best known song, 'Popsicle Toes.' This collection surveys his work from the mid 70s on through the mid 90s. *jz*ss

CD 02246: Anouar Brahem: Conte de l'Incroyable Amour. Tunisian Brahem, at this point one of the leading figures in the ECM jazz stable, here puts together a program of atmospheric and elegant instrumental jazz miniatures featuring clarinet, nai flute, bendir/darbouka (percussion), and, of course, oud (Brahem is perhaps at this point the world's leading exponent of this lute-like string instrument). Intimate, tasteful, and beautiful. *am*jz

CD 02245: Rod Stewart: It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook. Who woulda thunk it: Rod Stewart turning his attention to old standards by Gershwin, Kahn, Kern and Porter, among others. And doing it well, to boot! Stewart has since extended his success in further releases of the same kind of fare. *mr

CD 02244: Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune. It would turn out that being the most striking topical folksinger-songwriter of his generation wasn't enough for Ochs--despondent over waning success and an injury that affected his singing, he eventually hanged himself. Too bad, as this collection of Ochs' work clearly shows. Includes the anthemic Vietnam War protest period line: "Call it peace or call it treason, call it love or call it reason, but I ain't marchin' anymore..." (from 'I Ain't Marchin' Anymore'). *cf*pc*ss

CD 02243: Deuter: Sun Spirit. A "top ten" artists in the New Age category would surely include Deuter, much of whose music sounds like a brighter, simpler, even happier, Andreas Vollenweider. Here the ever productive German multi-instrumentalist and devotee of nature and paths spiritual pays homage to the Sun, the giver of life. Try it: this is ideal meditation music, cheery and bright, but never trite or vapid. *ac*na

CD 02241: John Fahey: The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death. One of acoustic guitarist Fahey's most mentioned titles, recorded in 1965. "It included...some of Fahey's strongest playing and most interesting compositions and interpretations. As on his other early records Fahey managed to combine country blues, ragtime, string band sounds, Indian classical music, and novelty tunes into his own unique, influential, and integrated style" [from the liner notes]. *ag

CD 02240: Mark Knopfler: Local Hero. Warning! This is not the kind of material Mark Knopfler produced wit Dire Straits, instead being the soundtrack to a low-key 1983 Burt Lancaster film with an environmentalism theme. The music is largely introspective and peaceful, with Knopfler occasionally inserting a tasteful guitar lick or two--sometimes to increase dramatic effect, but sometimes just to mellow things out. *am*fi

CD 02239: Keith Jarrett: Paris Concert. Another of Jarrett's famous live concert recordings, this one from 1988, and featuring his incomparable improvisational skills on the piano. *jz*pf

CD 02238: Fairport Convention: Liege & Lief. Certainly a candidate for the best early work by this seminal folk-rock band, including covers of traditional material and originals by the band's members, at that time consisting of Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Swarbrick, Dave Mattacks, and Simon Nicol. *cf*rk

CD 02237: Robert Rich: Seven Veils. "Robert Rich unveils seven rhythm-charged compositions with the exotic, sensual ambience of the Middle East. Blazingly original music and audiophile quality sound by one of the world's top electro-acoustic artists..." [from the liner notes]. This is neither, exactly, "electronic" music nor "ambient" music, but something that might be termed "techno-soundscaping." *am*el

CD 02236: Lou Harrison: La Koro Sutro. Harrison, who died in 2003, was a leader (the leader, actually) among those bringing East and Southeast Asian (especially Indonesian) forms and sounds into Western classical music. This CD collects three of his larger pieces, one choral, one featuring violin and percussion, and one featuring violin and American gamelan. *cl*is

CD 02235: Steeleye Span: Below the Salt. British folk rock band Steeleye Span has a thirty year plus history as a favorite among folkies. This is one of their best releases, featuring the stunning vocals of Maddy Prior and brilliant arrangements and performances of such old standards as 'Spotted Cow,' 'King Henry,' 'Gaudete,' and 'John Barleycorn.' *cf*ie*tf

CD 02234: Country Joe & the Fish: Electric Music for the Mind and Body. To "Country" Joe McDonald goes the honor of writing the single most devastating line of protest of the Vietnam War era--set incongruently, and quite deliberately, to a jugband beat: "Be the first ones on your block to have your boy come home in a box..." Joe and friends were also early explorers of psychedelia, and this album is a classic within that genre. *ar*rk

CD 01996: Raffi: The Singable Songs Collection. Canadian Raffi is the leading children's songs singer in the Western world. To mark the twentieth anniversary of the creation of Troubador Records, this three-CD set was compiled from three of the artist's first works. *ch

CD 01990: R. Carlos Nakai: Sanctuary. R. Carlos Nakai has won honors ranging from music nominations and awards in the traditional folk, Native American and New Age categories to an honorary doctorate in 1994 and a Governor's Arts Award in 1992. This collection consists entirely of material composed by Nakai and performed by him, solo, on the Native American flute. A 2003 Grammy Award nominee. *ac*in*na

CD 01985: Olu Dara: In the World, from Natchez to New York. Guitarist and cornet player Olu Dara continues his exploration of what might be termed "jazz folk music" in this interesting set. This is a music of mostly unclassifyable "Africanicity," embracing and integrating Caribbean, African, blues and jazz styles, sometimes all within a single piece. Dara moves along a path paralleling that taken by Taj Mahal, only Taj stays a bit more on the folk side, whereas there is more of a jazz flavor to Dara's work. *bl*jz

CD 01982: Air: Talkie Walkie. Material like this is difficult to characterize, being ambient/instrumental enough to be one of the top New Age/electronic titles of the year (2004), yet pop enough to also attract an entirely different audience. "Talkie Walkie reunites us with the Air that we love: two hopelessly indulgent romantics with an ear in the past and an eye on the future. It's meltingly good stuff--a collection of cool, cosmic pop songs that dispense with notions of time and space, wallowing instead on a cloud of poignant psychedelia" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *ar*el*na

CD 01979: Uncle Tupelo: Anodyne. One of the pioneer acts in alternative country, Uncle Tupelo hailed from Belleville, Illinois, taking their name in 1987 as a trio when an earlier version of the band folded. This is the last of their four CDs, released in 1993 a year before the group broke up (in part forming Wilco). This 2003 reissue contains five bonus tracks. *cy*rk

CD 01977: Michelle Shocked: Short Sharp Shocked. Michelle Shocked's best known release, featuring great tunes and thoughts from one of alt-folk's sharpest acts. *cf*ss*wm

CD 01970: Dee Dee Bridgewater: Dear Ella. Celebrated jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater in her tribute to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, who died in 1996. A double Grammy winner. *jz

CD 01965: Moya Brennan: Two Horizons. "A lovely work notable for both its cohesiveness and its aural richness, Two Horizons likely stands as the most broadly appealing solo disc (now numbering five) yet released by Clannad vocalist Moya (aka Máire) Brennan, the oft-overshadowed elder sibling of Enya. Brennan uses a mythic tale involving a much-traveled harp (a totem for all things virtuous) as the disc's thematic center, yet it is the recording's composite sound--resonant, sumptuous, never quite overblown--that inspires repeated listenings" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *ce*na

CD 01964: Michael Doucet & Beausoleil: Bayou Deluxe: The Best Of. Fiddler Michael Doucet and Beausoleil have been leaders in the Cajun music revival since the 1970s. This 1993 collection brings together eighteen tracks from albums spanning the 80s and early 90s. *ac*ca

CD 01960: Yo-Yo Ma: Obrigado Brazil Live in Concert. In this release the celebrated cellist turns his attention to the music of South America, with the help of a small group of artist friends including the Assad Brothers, Paquito D'Rivera, Kathryn Stott, and Rosa Passos. The material is based on "rhythms from Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico" [from the liner notes]; the composers represented include Assad, Jobim, Gismonti, Piazzolla, Barroso, and d'Rivera. *cl*in

CD 01959: Thomas Mapfumo: Chimurenga Forever: The Best Of. Zimbabwe singer-songwriter Mapfumo began his career in the 60s covering American rock 'n roll, but soon turned to a culture-based form of allegory and proverb to begin making political statements--a move which often got him into trouble, but which has also made him his country's foremost musician. This collection brings together material from the period 1978 to 1993. *ia*pc

CD 01567: Erykah Badu: Baduizm. "Badu and her large turban appeared out of nowhere in early 1997, on a murmuring, romantic album that trod the median between old-school soul and contemporary electronic R&B. Badu's songs, especially the hit 'On & On' and the catchy 'Certainly,' recall Sade in their polished, subtle sexiness. Badu almost never raises her voice--save the occasional "ooh-wee!" exultation--but she skillfully uses repetition and chanting to empower her words" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *jz*rb

CD 01563: Dar Williams: Mortal City. "This 1996 album was a breakthrough of sorts for Dar Williams, moving her from the obscure folkie circuit to the obscure alternative singer-songwriter circuit. Mortal City comes closest to capturing her live show, and many of the songs here--'Iowa,' 'The Family,' 'The Christians and the Pagans'--have become live-set favorites. Like Williams herself, this disc is sentimental, sincere, and emotional; it's an album about growing up" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *ss*wm

CD 01559: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Murder Ballads. Truly said, this is mostly pretty perverse stuff (complete with a parental advisory): songs composed in part or entirely by Nick Cave that deal with the commitment of a number of murders--from the point of view, in most cases, of the murderer, and sung accordingly. Eerie, yet strangely compelling fare, never stooping to mere sensationalism. *rk

CD 01555: Bruce Cockburn: Anything Anytime Anywhere: Singles 1979-2002. Canadian Bruce Cockburn has been his country's most consistently successful contemporary folk performer since his emergence in the 1970s. Sometimes criticized for his relentlessly liberal philosophy-slanted political attacks, Cockburn has moved closer and closer over the years to a rock/singer-songwriter approach to his craft. *cf*rk*ss

CD 01554: Gipsy Kings: Gipsy Kings. "More than any other band, the Gipsy Kings are responsible for the renewed interest in gypsy music, and this is the album that broke them through to the international mainstream. Although their carefully crafted music is not 'pure' gypsy, their impassioned performances create a window for the uninitiated into the deeper world of flamenco and other styles. If you're not a purist, the Gipsy Kings provide powerful, highly contagious, mostly acoustic music that may represent a new form of contemporary gypsy music for the masses; or you can view it as pure pop" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *ac*ie

CD 01549: Mary J. Blige: What's the 411? The 1992 hit CD by the originator of what some have called "hip hop soul": "its ghetto-fied grooves dominated the radio then, and they still sound fierce today, even with a slew of lesser imitators attempting to do what the rough and ready Blige did so effortlessly back in the day" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *hi*rb

CD 01548: Ted Hawkins: The Next Hundred Years. "As a guitarist and vocalist whose performances take place mainly in the streets, Ted Hawkins stands alone in the contemporary music scene. Yet he emerges from a long tradition which includes some of the most important names in folk history--Blind Willie Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson, Woody Guthrie and Furry Lewis come readily to mind" [from the liner notes]. *bl*tf

CD 01545: Moby: Play. "The great iconoclast of techno returns with a smooth, sacred, and exhilarating record. Play's concoction of breakbeat rhythms, ambient mixology, and inspired blues and gospel samples cry out across musical genres and histories, imparting a time-tested wisdom to beat-driven ears" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *am*ar*el*re*rk

CD 01538: Ry Cooder: Paradise and Lunch. Ry Cooder has never been easy to pigeonhole; his work includes both production and performance in the worlds of rock, blues, country, and world music, and just about everything he touches is the better for it. In this early release from his catalogue he sticks pretty close to a traditional acoustic blues and old time country base. *ac*bl*tf

CD 01533: Billy Joe and Eddy Shaver: Tramp on Your Street. 'Two good old boys here in a pleasant and honest 1993 set of rock-influenced country (that is, as opposed to country-influenced rock...) tunes exploring the usual territory, only expressed quite a bit better than the common fare. BJS intended this as a tribute to Hank Williams, and Hank likely would have been proud. *cy*rk*ss

CD 01527: Rebecca St. James: Pray. For those in the mood for some light Christian rock, and a bit of encouraging dialogue on the art of prayer. *re*rk

CD 01518: Soul Coughing: Irresistible Bliss. "This CD is simply brilliant. Soul Coughing produces a unique sound, combining funky drums and stand-up bass, original sampling, and, in-a-word, outstanding lyrics and vocals..." "The low, funky beats combined with the high samples and the droning monotone of the vocals form a killer combination that can't be beat..." [from two Amazon.com customer reviews] *ar

CD 01511: New York Dolls: New York Dolls. Gee--You don't need me to tell you what the New York Dolls were about: look at the album cover, think 1973, and note that this landmark release was produced by Todd Rundgren. *ar

CD 01507: Yolanda Adams: Mountain High...Valley Low. With this 1999 release Adams moved to the top of the contemporary Christian/Gospel music scene. "With her soaring voice, striking beauty, boundless energy plus an unshakable faith, Houston native Yolanda Adams has long been one of Gospel's biggest stars" [from elektra.com/yolandaadams/]. Adams has since been a multiple Grammy and Stellar Awards winner. *re

CD 01504: Dee Dee Bridgewater: This is New. "This 12-song homage to German composer Kurt Weill exceeds even the excellence of Bridgewater's classic vocal tributes to Horace Silver and Ella Fitzgerald. . . Weill wrote for theater, and beyond being a singer, Bridgewater is a Tony Award-winning actress, an announcer, and a noted humorist, all talents used to great effect here...Only an accomplished stage actress, who also happens to be a great jazz singer, could suspend disbelief as she does in these absolutely enthralling tales of violence, sex, and greed" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *jz*mr

CD 01503: June Carter Cash: Wildwood Flower. When June Carter Cash died in 2003 she left behind a considerable musical legacy. This compilation, released right around the time of her death, provides a fitting testament to her memory and achievements. Featuring an amazing group of side musicians, including Johnny Cash, Norman and Nancy Blake, Maybelle Carter, Marty Stuart, Dennis Crouch, Laura Cash, and others. *cy

CD 01502: Future Sound of London: Lifeforms. This 1994 double-CD release ranks among the very top of its class insofar as the ambient electronica genre goes. "The musical structure of Lifeforms is ever elusive and the listener who tries to consciously grasp it all will miss the attractiveness of the album. It is as background music or drift-off-to-sleep sounds that the true emotional power comes forth" [from an Amazon.com customer review]. *am*el

CD 01499: John Cougar (Mellencamp): American Fool. At the time this title was first released, I might not have considered it for a collection like this. But with the passing years the messages in Mellencamp's straight-ahead rock 'n roll have made him a major artistic spokesperson for American small town living: his may not exactly be "roots music," but it certainly relays "roots thinking." Nominated for Album of the Year at the 1982 Grammys, American Fool features two of his best early songs, 'Hurts So Good' and 'Jack & Diane.' *rk

CD 01497: Ted Hawkins: The Final Tour. Ted Hawkins was a truly elemental kind of entertainer. He was one of those few who can make a success with a minimum of fuss: by coming out on stage with nothing more than his acoustic guitar, and playing and singing the blues solo to a rapt audience for an hour straight or more. This release features him recorded live at three separate venues in 1994, not long before his death the following year. *ac*bl*tf

CD 01495: P. J. Harvey: To Bring You My Love. Polly Jean Harvey draws a good deal from Patti Smith in terms of vocal timbre, style and energy, but goes well beyond her in the direction of frank--and sometimes rather sinister--sexuality. One of my colleagues simply refers to her as "crazy," but I'm more inclined merely to accept that this is one woman who doesn't bawk at saying just what she has on her mind. Yet as we all know, not all dreams come true... *ar*rk*ss*wm

CD 01493: Oregon: Oregon in Performance. These 1979 live sets feature the original Towner-McCandless-Moore-Walcott quartet that helped defined the term "chamber jazz." Their all-acoustic virtuoso/improvisational approach has made Oregon popular with a number of different audiences, including those interested in world music, new age, new acoustic, and jazz styles; each member (though Walcott died in an auto accident in the 1980s) has also pursued highly successful careers as soloists and independent collaborators. *ac*im*jz

CD 01492: Martin Carthy: The Collection. Martin Carthy's recording career began in 1965, and early on he emerged as the heart and soul of the traditional song revival movement in England. Beyond possessing a fine singing voice and impeccable taste in choosing and restoring old material, he is also one of the very most important acoustic guitar stylists of his generation. The selections grouped here were compiled from five different albums covering a considerable span of years; sidemen in these sessions include Richard Thompson on guitar and John Kirkpatrick on accordion and concertina. ag*ie*tf

CD 01487: Tim Buckley: Goodbye and Hello. As with his son Jeff, an equally celebrated talent, Tim Buckley indeed proved to be the "fleeting house" of his song 'Morning Glory' (included here), one of the most touchingly beautiful laments of the Beatles era. Buckley, an original and poetic singer-songwriter-folksinger who could never quite come to grips with the real world his hobo character allegorized in that work, succumbed to an accidental drug overdose in 1975. Like his British counterpart Nick Drake (who died only six months earlier) his influence has increased with the years. *cf*ss

CD 01484: Antonio Carlos Jobim: Wave. Brazilian Jobim, who died in 1994, is best remembered as a light jazz composer of the first rank (e.g., 'Desafinado' and 'The Girl from Ipanema') and for the style he more than anyone else was responsible for introducing: bossa nova. Jobim also frequently performed, and Wave, recorded in 1967, is among his most commonly mentioned sets. The program on this album qualifies as the last word in perfect dinner music: light, casual, positive, and freely moving. *im*in*jz*mr

CD 01404: Axiom of Choice: Niya Yesh. Persian music-inspired but California-based band Axiom of Choice produces a core blend of New Age and international styles ("world fusion") varying from the slowly flowing (and sometimes quite beautiful) to the more powerfully rhythmic and percussive. *ac*is*na

CD 01390: Steve Earle: El Corazón. Singer-songwriter Steve Earle had a pretty tough time for a number of years. A dependency on smack led to a stiff jail sentence; he was out by the mid 90s and started recording quality material again pretty much right away. This CD from 1997 was his third since his re-emergence, and it's perhaps his best overall: a highly intimate blend of country, folk and blues with nods to influences ranging from Townes Van Zandt and John Prine to Elvis Presley and Woodie Guthrie. *bl*cy*ss

CD 01303: Brian Eno: Ambient 1: Music for Airports. This classy but unpretentious project, drawing especially on the influences of avant-gardist John Cage and Impressionist Eric Satie, became one of the cornerstone recordings of "New Age" ambient music. This is the kind of material that gently nudges the mind toward lofty goals without letting it lose track of the more simple pleasures: Eno's music is often so ambient as not to be music, but it is never so abstract as to be remote. *am*im*na

CD 01298: Tin Hat Trio: The Rodeo Eroded. This is the kind of music that the term "acoustic instrumental" was invented for: relaxed tempos, guitar-violin-accordion/harmonica (and other) non-virtuoso instrumental interplays, source material originating from a wide range of traditions, and varying intensity overtones of jazz, folk, bluegrass and the avant-garde. 'Lots of playfulness here, too--but in a musicianly, not slapstick, way... Last but not least, a guesting appearance on the vocals to 'Willow Weep for Me' by Willie Nelson. *ac*bg*cf*jz

CD 01297: Yo Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble: Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet. This is one of the Silk Road Project recordings, an effort led by Yo Yo Ma uniting musicians and instruments from the musical heritages of Central Asia and China. Some of the material is new and some is old, some classical and some traditional, but it all shares the "faraway places" atmosphere one expects from the album title. *cl*im*is

CD 01295: Krishna Das: Pilgrim Heart. Eastern spiritual chants, sung and arranged with a nod to more familiar Western stylistic sensibilities. "Krishna Das and his myriad guest musicians (including a female chorus dubbed the Kirtan Posse) incorporate Indian instruments, African percussion, electronics, even bass and guitar, into serene, richly layered songs that provide good background music for meditation or relaxation" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. *am*is*na*re

CD 01293: Etta James: The Best of Etta James. Etta James was one of the most successful R & B acts of the 1960s and early 1970s. After a dry period in the seventies she has rebounded, in part because of the continued success of songs like 'I Just Want to Make Love to You,' 'Almost Persuaded,' 'Tell Mama,' 'I'd Rather Go Blind,' and 'I Found a Love'--all of which are included in this generous eighteen work collection. *bl*rb

CD 01291: Kraftwerk: Autobahn. Yes, this is that 'Autobahn,' the bubbling synthesizer piece that became the model composition for a whole generation of electronic music in the late twentieth century. Considering its clever imagery of the roadsong concept and upbeat execution, this is perhaps the most perfect rock tone poem yet produced. "Fahren, fahren, fahren," indeed... *el*ie*rk

CD 01256: Ghazal: Moon Rise Over the Silk Road. Ghazal is the name of an ongoing collaboration between Indian sitar master Shujaat Husain Khan and Persian kamancheh (an ancient Iranian stringed instrument that sounds something like a violin) virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor. It is also, alternately, the name of a form of Persian poetry, or a semi-classical Indian music genre usually involving a love ballad. This largely improvisational but very intricate music spins energetically along to the beat of tablas or other percussion, conjuring up images of caravans, dervishes, and silken-clothed temptresses. *ac*cl*is

CD 01142: Steve Reich: Drumming. Reich composed this famous work for percussion and voices in the Minimalist style between 1970 and 1971. *ac*cl

CD 01139: Kate Bush: Hounds of Love. It is rather amazing that Englishwoman Kate Bush never became very popular in the U.S.; besides her distinctive four-octave voice and elegant good looks, her material features an urbane wisdom that should have made a lot of converts. Hounds of Love, from 1985, features some of her most impressive work, including 'Running up That Hill,' one of that decade's most splendidly painful tracks. *ar*ho*ss*wm

CD 01119: Steve Roach: Quiet Music. This 2 CD set is "a collection of pieces created in respect for silence between 1983 and 1986" [from the liner notes] by one of the leading figures in ambient music, Steve Roach. Roach's music from this period is sparse, lingering and ethereal, like the background sounds in a dream. *am*el*na

CD 01103: Toots & the Maytals: Funky Kingston. This early 1970s work was one of the first reggae albums to reach a wider popular audience, and remains one of the genre's best known titles. *in*rg

CD 01100: Canned Heat: Uncanned! The Best of Canned Heat. Canned Heat is now remembered by most for two singles from the late sixties: 'On the Road Again,' and the anthemic 'Going Up the Country.' But this material was not representative of their body of work, which was more in the core blues mold: they were in fact one of the first successful American blues bands, and were highly influential both in the U.S. and in Great Britain. This two-CD set includes previously unreleased material and alternate takes, and features cameos and other performances by John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, Harvey Mandel, and Dr. John. *bl*rb*rk

CD 01099: John Mayall, with Eric Clapton: Blues Breakers. This celebrated 1966 recording was one of the most influential of all the electric blues albums appearing in the mid-sixties. One of the best places to hear Clapton at his early raw-est. With two bonus tracks. *bl*eg*rk

CD 01086: Jan Garbarek, Anouar Brahem, & Shaukat Hussain: Madar. A sadly little-known crossover album on the European jazz label ECM featuring Norwegian Garbarek (on sax), Tunisian Brahem (on oud, an Arabian lute-like instrument), and Pakistani Hussain (on tablas). A good eclectic dose of powerful exoticism. *ac*is*jz

CD 01082: David Darling: Cello Blue. Classically-trained cellist David Darling has had a long career in crossover projects extending back at least as far as his 1960s collaborations with the Paul Winter Consort. Cello Blue furthers his more recent interest in applying the cello and electric cello to ambient chamber settings, more than justifying his reputation as the "Lord of Largo." Nominated for a 2002 Grammy. *am*na

CD 01081: John Prine: The John Prine Anthology (Great Days). John Prine was not born in Kentucky but did spend many of his early days here. This double-CD anthology spans the first twenty years of his career (through 1993), in solo work and in collaboration with singers such as Bonnie Koloc, Jennifer Warnes, and Bonnie Raitt, and instrumentalists like Steve Goodman, David Bromberg, Steve Cropper, and John Sebastian. *cf*ss

CD 01080: Sleepy LaBeef: Strange Things Happening. Multiple choice question: Sleepy LaBeef is: (1) a Norwegian hammered dulcimer player; (2) a minimalist classical composer specializing in new age tone poems (3) a jowly, middle-aged rockabilly singer and guitarist. Answer...? *rk

CD 01074: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: The Supreme Collection Volume 1. No survey of late twentieth century genres would be complete without material by Pakistani Qawwali (Sufi) singer Khan, by anyone's assessment one of the greatest vocalists of his era. *is

CD 01072: Harold Budd & Brian Eno: The Pearl. Another album of impossibly sublime piano and electronic music, filled with sound images of a type matching the visuals one might expect to experience while resting quietly at the bottom of a pond, looking upward. *am*jz*na*pf

CD 01071: Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate: Kulanjan. Taj Mahal has been a mainstay of the American blues and popular music scene since the late sixties; Toumani Diabate is the leading master of the kora, a West African instrument with harp-like qualities. In this CD they collaborate on material ranging from African traditional pieces and American blues to various contemporary styles. *ac*bl*cf*ia

CD 01056: Uakti / Philip Glass: Aguas da Amazonia. Uakti is a unique Brazilian group of classically trained musicians who perform New Age-inspired non-vocal music reminiscent of the rainforest on woodwind and percussive instruments they build themselves (often from very mundane materials: basically, anything that will make a musical sound). Philip Glass is, well Philip Glass, the leading light of the classical minimalist style. Here they collaborate on a dance score commissioned by a Brazilian dance company. *cl*im*in*na

CD 01055: Pierre Bensusan: Nice Feelings. With a smoothly elegant yet technically accomplished style, French guitarist Pierre Bensusan has ranked among the world's leading fingerpickers for over twenty-five years. This CD samples representative material from his earlier albums Près de Paris, Pierre Bensusan, Musiques, Solilai, Spices, and Wu Wei. *ac*ag*cf

CD 01054: Sweet Honey in the Rock: Still the Same Me. This "extraordinary collection of soulful, uplifting and entertaining songs for children is the real deal, with Sweet Honey using only their voices and percussion instruments to create an amazing and compelling sound" [from an Amazon.com customer review]. Nominated for a Grammy award in 2001. *ch

CD 01053: Sam Bush: Howlin' at the Moon. Mandolin and fiddle player Sam Bush is home-grown--he hails from Bowling Green. In this collection of fourteen sprightly vocal and instrumental works released in 1998 he explores his usual "newgrass" territory. *ac*bg

CD 01052: The Kinks: The Ultimate Collection. This double-CD set of Kinks songs truly is the ultimate sampling of their oeuvre. Those familiar only with the likes of 'Lola' and 'You Really Got Me' will have lots to explore in this 44-work compilation: Kinks frontman Ray Davies is one of the finest songwriters of his generation, having left behind a string of pop masterpieces like 'Days,' 'A Well Respected Man, ' 'Sunny Afternoon,' 'Celluloid Heroes,' and my own personal favorite, the matchless 'Waterloo Sunset.' *rk*ss

CD 01051: Greg Brown: Slant 6 Mind. Like John Prine, gruff-voiced Greg Brown (you might recognize his name from the "Prairie Home Companion" radio program, on which he often guests) shines as a lyricist, tunesmith, and observer of America and Americans. This album is vintage Brown, featuring material with pungent lines like "The little princess is singing about her parts--She says 'Come hither' but when I get hither she is yon--I was looking for what I loved, but whatever it was, it's gone." A Grammy-nominated album. *cf*ss

CD 01050: Tom Waits: Alice. One of two 2002 works by Waits, the gravel-voiced chronicler of the American condition. This one showcases the gentler side of Tom. *ss

CD 01049: John Hammond: Wicked Grin. John Hammond's career began during the 1960s folk revival, and he's been known ever since for his uncompromising, edgy vocal/guitar/harmonica performances, especially of the traditional acoustic blues repertoire. Hammond is a past Grammy winner and several-time nominee; he is also a several-time W.C. Handy award winner and this 2001 album, produced by Tom Waits (and with many of the songs written by Waits), won him yet another. *ac*ag*bl*cf*ss

CD 01048: Alan Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain/And God Created Great Whales. At the time of his death in 2000, Alan Hovhaness was one of America's best known classical composers. Hovhaness's style is very accessible--it has a decided mystical bent--and strongly influenced by various Asian musics, especially of Japan, China, and Armenia. 'And God Created Great Whales' is unusual in that it incorporates recordings of actual humpback whale song. *cl*im*is

CD 01047: Tom Waits: Blood Money. One of two 2002 works by Waits, the gravel-voiced chronicler of the American condition. This one, as the title suggests, focusses on subjects of a somewhat seamier nature. *ss

CD 01046: Jon Hassell: Fascinoma. Jon Hassell completed a Ph.D. in musicology before journeying to Europe in 1965 to study with Karlheinz Stockhausen; he subsequently connected with the founders of the avant-garde band Can, minimalists La Monte Young and Terry Riley, and producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. This Ry Cooder-produced album of 1999 was one of the most critically acclaimed New Age/ambient recordings of its period, featuring Hassell's spacey, laid-back, atmospheric, "Fourth World" electronic stylizations and the bansuri flute playing of Ronu Majumdar. *am*im*jz

CD 01045: Zap Mama: Sabsylma. "Zap Mama are five women who are each of mixed African and European ancestry. They sing a cappella (with a little hand percussion sprinkled in) in a hybrid style that befits their background" [from an Amazon.com editorial review]. The key word in the preceding is "hybrid": the material is sung in English, French, and assorted African languages, and ranges source-wise from aboriginal chants to African folksong to cabaret-like observations and musings. A Grammy-nominated album. *iz*ie*wm

CD 01044: Joshua Bell & Edgar Meyer: Short Trip Home. Classical violinist Bell is teamed here in crossover mode with three of the leading lights of the Nashville sound, Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush, and Mike Marshall. The occasion: a 1999 live concert at Alice Tully Hall, in New York. A Grammy-nominated album. *ac*bg*cl*jz

CD 01043: Mike Auldridge, Bob Brozman, & David Grisman: Tone Poems III. Auldridge is one of the premier dobro players in the business, Bob Brozman a remarkable guitarist, and David Grisman the mandolinist who invented the "Dawg" style of progressive bluegrass music. Here they collaborate in one of the Tone Poems series to produce a long set of instrumentals incorporating traditions ranging from Hawaiian to country blues. *ac*ag*bg

CD 01042: John Renbourn: Traveller's Prayer. Ex-British string band Pentangle member Renbourn is known as one of the late twentieth century's leading acoustic guitar virtuosos, his music propelled by a nimble fingerpicking style and influences ranging from traditional English folk and American blues to Renaissance tunes. This 1998 release features him in top form, both as a soloist and in small group vocal settings. *ac*ag*cf

CD 0985: Bert Jansch: The Best of Bert Jansch. Little known in this country, Scottish folk-blues fingerpicker Jansch ranks among the most influential acoustic guitarists of the past century (a few years ago a British poll actually placed him as second--right behind blues legend Robert Johnson). This collection surveys his most creative period--1965 to 1971--when he was leading the folk-rock movement in Britain, redefining the sound of the guitar, and providing inspiration for figures ranging from Jimmy Page, Neil Young and Paul Simon, to John Renbourn, Pierre Bensusan and Alex DeGrassi. *ac*ag*bl*cf*ss

CD 0984: James Cotton: High Compression. One of the best-known Alligator Records recordings by Memphis and Chicago bluesman Cotton, among the leading harmonica players of the late Twentieth Century. In this 1984 release he is backed by the James Cotton Chicago Blues All-Stars and the James Cotton Band, and the likes of Magic Slim, Pinetop Perkins, and Michael Coleman. *bl

CD 0983: Altan: The Best of Altan. Group founder and leader Frankie Kennedy lost his battle with cancer in 1994, but Altan remains in the forefront of Irish traditional music. This double CD review includes a collection of their best studio work, plus a disc of live performances. *ac*ce*cf*tf

CD 0982: Amina: Nomad--Best Of. Tunisian-born Parisian Amina has had considerable success on the Continent since her breakthrough hit 'He Who Has the Last Word' won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1991. Her music is bright and engaging, sounding at once traditional North African and Middle Eastern, with strong accents of Western pop, blues, and disco. *ho*ia*ie*rb

CD 0981: Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa. This CD collects four of Pärt's best known instrumental works from the late 70s and early 80s, all in the stark but emotive minimalist style he has become famous for. The featured performers include Gidon Kremer, Keith Jarrett, Dennis Russell Davies, Alfred Schnitke, and the Berlin Philharmonic. *cl

CD 0980: Midnight Oil: 20,000 Watt R.S.L. Rock music has never had a more striking figure than Australian group Midnight Oil's leader Peter Garrett--all seven feet and shaven bald head of him. Not to mention the fact that he is both an LL.B and D.Litt., twice ran and very nearly won a seat in Parliament, and from 1989 to 1993 served as President of Australia's leading environmental organization, the Australian Conservation Foundation (Garrett calls himself "the best known politician in Australia who has never been elected"). This collection surveys nearly twenty years of Garrett and friends' work--much of which, not surprisingly, has a lot of political content. *ar*pc*rk

CD 0979: Yo-Yo Ma: The Protecting Veil (John Tavener). 'The Protecting Veil,' a forty-five minute study for cello and string orchestra, was written in 1987 by the English composer John Tavener, primarily known for his Russian Orthodox Church-inspired religious choral works. In this music the cello performs throughout, producing the impact of a meditation, though punctuated by several startling episodes of ecstatic play. One of the best known and most commercially successful classical compositions of the past twenty years. *cl*im*re

CD 0967: Ottmar Liebert: The Hours Between Night & Day. Ottmar Liebert is one of the leading figures in the "Nouveau Flamenco" movement. The Hours Between Night & Day, from 1993, is one of his best known releases and was nominated for a Grammy award. *ag*ie

CD 0944: Koko Taylor: What It Takes/The Chess Years. "What separates Koko Taylor from the blues pack is her huge, rough-hewn roar of a voice... [This collection] is a full-circle reminder of the early stages of a career that began with Taylor just sitting in for fun with her blues heroes..." [from the liner notes]. Features 'I Got What It Takes,' 'Wang Dang Doodle,' and other material by the legendary blues great Willie Dixon. *bl

CD 0943: Joe Ely: Live at Antone's. "Joe Ely's live sets have long held mythical status--first around Texas, eventually around the world. Muscular and adrenaline-fueled, Ely's powerful and offbeat mix of rock, country, folk, and Tex-Mex influences never fails to invigorate and surprise an audience. Live at Antone's captures Ely in his element--onstage at a legendary Austin roadhouse..." [from the liner notes] *cy*rk*ss

CD 0942: Dusty Springfield: Dusty in Memphis. Most music fans remember Dusty Springfield as a silken-voiced 60s hit-maker ('I Only Want to Be with You,' 'Wishin and Hopin,' 'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me'), but after that period her career turned in a number of directions. Dusty in Memphis is described in the liner notes as "a meeting of great pop songs and soul with funky arrangements" and is universally recognized as her finest album. Springfield died in 1999, shortly after being inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. Note: This edition of the work contains fourteen bonus tracks, most previously unreleased. *mr*rb

CD 0941: Annbjorg Lien: Prisme. Crystal-eyed Annbjorg Lien has quickly established a reputation as one of the foremost players on the Norwegian hardanger fiddle, a raspy-voiced member of the stringed instrument family: it sounds something like a viola with an attitude. On this 1997 release Lien rocks out with her ensemble on a set of lively instrumentals reminding one of the Grieg of the 'Hall of the Mountain King.' *ac*cf*ie*tf

CD 0940: Malvina Reynolds: Ear to the Ground. You may not know Malvina Reynolds (1900-1978) by name, but this grandmotherly-looking but feisty Californian was an influential pioneer in the world of contemporary folk music, and you may well have heard her songs (e.g. 'What Have They Done to the Rain?', ' Morningtown Ride') performed by any number of better known acts. Her speciality was topical political satire; she was responsible, in fact, for one of best known of all works produced in that genre, 'Little Boxes.' *cf*pc*ss*wm

CD 0939: The Reverend James Cleveland: The King of Gospel. A 1997 release containing nine moving pieces in the gospel music genre from the Rev. Cleveland, one of this music's leading names. *re

CD 0938: Silly Wizard: Live Wizardry. Silly Wizard is remembered as one of the very best Celtic bands, largely on the strength of the skills of singer/songwriter Andy M. Stewart and the instrumental prowess of the Cunningham brothers, John and Phil (on fiddle and accordion/concertina, respectively). This compilation CD presents them at the peak of their craft, recorded live and in concert in the 1980s. *ac*ce*cf

CD 0937: R. Carlos Nakai et al.: Feather, Stone & Light. R. Carlos Nakai is the best known and most successful of all players of the Native American flute. In this largely improvisation-based 1995 recording Nakai performs both solo and in league with skilled sidemen William Eaton (guitar and lyraharp guitar) and Will Clipman (percussion). *ac*in*na

CD 0936: Charlie Haden and Egberto Gismonti: In Montreal. A live recording featuring the equally renowned jazz musicians Charlie Haden (on the double-bass) and Egberto Gismonti (on wide-necked ten-string guitar and piano), mainstays of the progressive ECM label for over twenty years. *ac*ag*jz*pf

CD 0935: Sheila Chandra: Weaving My Ancestors' Voices. This much acclaimed 1992 release spotlights Indian-born (but now England native) Chandra exploring the nuances of the vocal drone in music descending from traditions as varied as Moorish, Celtic, South and North Indian, Spanish, and British folk. *ie*is

CD 0934: Burning Spear: Ultimate Collection. Burning Spear (born Winston Rodney) ranks among the top performers in reggae. Spear has been heavily influenced by the work of Marcus Garvey; much of his music is on the theme of the struggle for African liberation. This fine collection features twenty tracks he recorded in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. *in*pc*rg*ss

CD 0933: Dr. John: Dr. John's Gumbo. A noted early (1972) album by the gruff-voiced performer once known as "The Night Tripper." Dr. John (born Mac Rebennack) hails from New Orleans, where he grew up influenced by rhythm and blues. He describes this album as roots music, "basic good-time New Orleans blues and stomp music with a little Dixieland jazz and some Spanish rhumba blues." *bl*ca*jz*pf*rb*rk

CD 0930: Terry Riley: A Rainbow in Curved Air. Terry Riley, one of the triad of composers (Steve Reich and Philip Glass being the others) most responsible for the development of the classical music genre known as Minimalism, produced this early electronic keyboards-based masterwork of that genre in 1969. Oddly enough, the title track was even a hit single... *cl*el*pf

CD 0929: Tish Hinojosa: Culture Swing. Tish Hinojosa writes and sings in a style that reminds me a lot of Nanci Griffith--that is, drawing deeply from the well of folk-country-popular inspiration, but incorporating a keen observational talent. "With a voice as pure as a southwestern sunset, she brings together the spirit and warmth of the Anglo-Hispanic experience in each song..." [from the liner notes] *cf*in*ss*wm

CD 0928: Anita Baker: Rapture. Is this music jazz, soul, or rhythm and blues, or all of the above? I don't know, but Baker's sensuous vocals sure do capture all the delicious nuances of love and romance. *jz*mr*rb

CD 0927: Michael Hedges: Oracle. Acoustic guitarist Michael Hedges's life was cut short by a car accident in 1997. Hedges was one of Windham Hill's most successful and influential artists; he was especially known for his new approaches to the use of harmonics and percussive styles of play. This album won him a posthumous Grammy. *ac*ag

CD 0926: Ladysmith Black Mambazo: The Warner Brothers Collection. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has long been South Africa's best known traditional vocal ensemble. This collection revisits some of their best material from the late 80s, including a couple of cuts from the famous sessions with Paul Simon sitting in. *ia

CD 0925: Ravi Shankar: Live at Monterey 1967. Identifying a "best album" by renowned sitarist and cross-cultural ambassador Ravi Shankar may be a problematic goal, but most sources place this one very high on the list. *ac*cl*is

CD 0924: Vas: Sunyata. Vas is the duo Azam Ali (hammered dulcimer and vocals) and Greg Ellis (percussion). Their 1997 debut album, blending exotic percussive rhythms and Persian vocalist Ali's mesmerizing pseudo-word vocals, was a stunning success, and they have since followed it up with two equally triumphant successor works. *ac*ar*is

CD 0923: Velvet Underground & Nico: The Velvet Underground & Nico. Featuring Lou Reed and John Cale, the now legendary Velvet Underground was one of rock's first and most artistically successful alternative acts. Produced by the late Andy Warhol. *ar

CD 0922: Rory Block: Tornado. Rory Block made her reputation many years back as one of the best traditional acoustic blues guitarists around, but she has diversified over the years to become a fine songwriter and powerful vocalist as well. *ac*ag*bl*ss*wm

CD 0921: King Sunny Adé: Juju Music. Sunny Adé is the leading exponent of what is known as Juju music, the main popular music of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. "Juju music is essentially party music...the fans out there want to dance and the rhythm is basically simple and, once you hook it up, it flows endlessly..." [from the liner notes] *ac*ia

CD 0920: John Fahey: The John Fahey Anthology. John Fahey didn't make "hit music" (though his quirky and improbable Christmas album The New Possibility made him a pile of money), but as one of the fathers of the American style of solo fingerpicking guitar his artistic impact cannot be overestimated. This double-CD does a great job of surveying his more than forty-year career. *ag*cf

CD 0919: Roy Buchanan: Sweet Dreams: The Anthology. Buchanan never got the "big break" that would have put his name in the national spotlight, and in truth his oeuvre suffers a bit from inconsistency. Still, at his best he was surely one of the very finest electric blues guitarists playing. *bl*eg*rk

CD 0918: Jeff Beck: Blow by Blow. This mid-70s album presents legendary electric guitarist Beck at his artistic best: in this instance, in a set of lively instrumentals exploring the boundary zones between rock, jazz, and funk. *eg*rk*jz

CD 0917: Agnes Buen Garnås and Jan Garbarek: Rosensfole: Medieval Songs from Norway. Garnås is one of Norway's best known folk singers; Garbarek, Europe's leading jazz saxophonist and a cross-cultural and cross-temporal musical explorer par excellence. In this recording they collaborate to produce a striking set of synthesizer-backed vocal renderings of some very old--but still riveting--traditional material. *cf*ie*jz

CD 0916: Marcia Ball: Let Me Play With Your Poodle. New Orleans-groomed but currently Austin-based blues singer and piano player Marcia Ball has had a string of successful albums since she first gained national attention in the early 1980s. Ball's sound continues to evolve: witness this 1997 release, which firmly wed her Cajun roots to her new Texan surroundings. *bl*ca*pf*rb

CD 0915: The Who: Live at Leeds. This surprisingly little remembered album features one of the most electric performances of rock 'n roll ever committed to tape. The CD includes glowing in-concert renderings of 'Magic Bus,' 'My Generation,' 'Summertime Blues,' 'Shakin' All Over,' 'Young Man Blues,' various excerpts from the rock opera Tommy, and material not present on the original 33 rpm album. *eg*rk

CD 0914: George Winston: Winter into Spring. Hardly any other performer is more frequently thought of in connection with "New Age" music than pianist George Winston, for many years a mainstay of the Windham Hill label. Here's a full set of George, doing what he does best: creating gentle but bright and technically accomplished instrumentals for solo piano. *pf*na

CD 0913: Eva Cassidy: Live at Blues Alley. Many people know Eva Cassidy's story by now (she died in 1996 before being in the business long enough to make more than a local reputation); her posthumous success just goes to show that good music can and does find a way to be heard. Cassidy mostly sang middle-of-the-road classics, but no one could possibly do more with old chestnuts like 'What A Wonderful World' or 'People Get Ready' than she did. *mr

CD 0912: The Roches: The Roches. The Roches, a trio of sisters from "saboybun" New Jersey, have had a considerable impact on the development of women's music in particular, and pop vocal styles in general. Their first album featured their indescribably sweet but camp harmonies on the self-introductory track 'We,' the advisory 'Hammond Song,' and the touching lament 'Runs in the Family.' Produced by Robert Fripp, of King Crimson fame. *ss*wm

CD 0911: Stan Rogers: From Coffee House to Concert Hall. Released over fifteen years after the Canadian singer-songwriter's death in a tragic airplane fire, this collection draws together twenty carefully chosen and previously unreleased live performances of works he wrote that were never studio-recorded. *ac*cf*ss

CD 0910: Neville Brothers: The Very Best of the Neville Brothers. The New Orleans-based Nevilles have been an institution in American music for some forty years. Their material ranges from soulful ballads like Aaron Neville's superb 60s hit 'Tell It Like It Is' to full combo playing in the soul, Caribbean, and rhythm and blues traditions. *ca*in*rb

CD 0909: Brian Eno: Thursday Afternoon. In some respects ambient music pioneer Brian Eno represents the John Cage of popular music (and indeed Cage was one of Eno's influences). The atmospheric serenity and other-worldliness of this classic hour-long 1985 work can scarcely be imagined prior to its first hearing; try using headphones on this one! *am*na*pf

CD 0908: Tom Waits: Mule Variations. This 1999 release, Waits's first in a good number of years, proved that he has lost none of the Beat poet stream-of-consciousness humor--or gravelly voice--that has made him one of America's most distinctive songwriter-performers. *ss

CD 0907: Stan Rogers: From Fresh Water. Sadly, this was to be the last album of studio-recorded material from the man many would say was the most talented Canadian songwriter/folksinger of his time. And no one could match his extraordinary voice: big, deep, and powerful, yet capable of projecting great emotional detail. *ac*cf*ss

CD 0906: Angélique Kidjo: Keep on Moving: The Best Of. Benin-born and Paris-based Kidjo has risen to the ranks of top international stardom. "Her style of music varies from afro-funk, reggae, samba, salsa, gospel, jazz, zairean rumba, souk and makossa which combined together creates her soulful unique sound..." [from the liner notes] *ho*ia*ie*jz*rb

CD 0905: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Shahen-Shah. Pakistani Qawwali (devotional sufi music) singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan gained a reputation as one of the world's most powerfully affecting vocalists. His music possesses both the exotic, transcending feel of the East, and the Western penchant for rhythm and melody. *is*re

CD 0904: Loudon Wainwright III: Album III. Singer-songwriter (and actor: the 2001 sitcom Undeclared and other appearances) Wainwright's third album, including the demented classics 'Dead Skunk' and 'Red Guitar,' further showcased his wacky brand of personal and social commentary. *ss

CD 0903: Dead Can Dance: Spiritchaser. The now defunct duo Dead Can Dance mined Gothic sensibilities, a medieval ambience, and rock roots to produce an innovative and influential cross-over sound that culminated in this, their last album, in 1996. Very powerful and moving stuff--in a low-key kind of way. *ar

CD 0902: Paul Horn: Inside the Taj Mahal I & II. This welcome compilation brings together the majority of each of the two famous atmospheric recordings jazz flutist Paul Horn made inside the Taj Mahal. Trancy and ethereal, these works are sometimes pointed to as leading examples of the genre known as "New Age" music. *ac*am*jz*na

CD 0901: Youssou N'Dour: Joko (The Link). "Youssou N'Dour, a superstar at home in Senegal and in most of Africa, possesses an astonishingly strong and supple high-tenor voice, and he writes tuneful, insightful songs about his fellow West Africans' transition from isolated rural villages to cosmopolitan big cities..." [from an Amazon.com editorial review] *ia*ss

CD 0900: Peter Gabriel: Passion: Music for the Last Temptation of Christ. Music lovers owe Peter Gabriel a considerable debt for jumping ship from the band Genesis when he did; since then no one has done more to promote the cause of world music than he has. This recording, based on the movie The Last Temptation of Christ's soundtrack, creatively explores ways of uniting international, New Age, and rock forms. *fi*im*rk

CD 0899: Terje Rypdal: Waves. Norwegian guitarist and composer Terje Rypdal has spent a thirty-year career successfully navigating his way through the hinterlands of jazz, classical, and space music. This 1978 ECM release features a four-man combo (with Jon Christensen on percussion) and a "cool" European electric/electronic jazz sound. *eg*jz

CD 0898: The Yardbirds: The Ultimate Collection. It is probably true that the Yardbirds were largely of a time and place--the mid-60s--but their lineup did include all of the three premier British electric guitarists of the rock era: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. This double-CD features both live and studio performances, including works like 'I'm a Man,' 'The Train Kept A-Rollin,' 'Shapes of Things,' 'Over Under Sideways Down,' and 'Smokestack Lightning.' *bl*eg*rk

CD 0897: Béla Fleck & the Flecktones: Live Art. Two discs of live performances by the man who has taken the banjo to its technically loftiest heights yet. *ac*bg

CD 0896: Kate Wolf: Gold in California: A Retrospective of Recordings 1975-1985. There seems to be some truth to the saying that the good die young. It would have been nice to have had the profoundly gentle and insightful singer-songwriter Kate Wolf around for a few more years. *cf*ss*wm

CD 0895: Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band: Trout Mask Replica. This famous and unforgettable album features the eccentric and camp observations of one Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) and his merry band of zanies. Check out the eclectic 'Old Fart at Play' for a revolution in perspective, if that's what you're up for today. Produced by Frank Zappa. *ar

CD 0894: Ali Farka Toure, with Ry Cooder: Talking Timbuktu. "This CD is the result of a great collaboration between two very talented but different musicians...Toure plays in a rhythmic blues influenced style that is evocative of John Lee Hooker and Lightnin' Hopkins. The music here is contemporary yet distinctly African. Cooder and Toure are supported by a great group of session musicians including jazz bassist John Patitucci and guitarist Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown..." [from an Amazon.com customer review] *ac*ag*bl*cf

CD 0893: Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention: We're Only in It for the Money. When Frank Zappa succumbed to cancer in 1993, the world of music lost one of its most extraordinary figures. Witty and cerebral, yet routinely choosing to express that dry sense of humor through camp satirical and even vulgar devices, Zappa was one of the business's most exacting, honest and creative forces. R.I.P., Frank. *ar

CD 0892: Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas, and Tracy Nelson: Sing It! "...Three of the greatest singers of classic rhythm and blues pool their talents on this set of Southern soul, country and New Orleans second-line. While each singer has her moment to shine as a soloist, most songs feature these memorable voices in three part harmony..." [from the liner notes] *ca*rb

CD 0891: Richard & Linda Thompson: Shoot Out the Lights. Richard Thompson is perhaps best known for his association with Fairport Convention, the fine British folk-rock band, but for many years now he has mostly gone it alone (here, with his former wife Linda), developing a solid following as a penetrating observer/writer, singer, and guitarist. ac*ag*cf*eg*ss

CD 0890: Mose Allison: The Best of Mose Allison. You may not know Mississippi jazz sage Allison by name, but you've probably heard his music. He sounds a bit like a droll Greenwich Village version of light jazz singer/songwriter Michael Franks (the 'Popsicle Toes' man); but what makes him really unique is his ability to crank out a never-ending stream of lyrically-precisely-on-the-money, three-minute-long "slice of life" musical introspections. *jz*ss

CD 0889: Mark Isham: Tibet. Emmy-, Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated and Grammy-winning film composer and trumpeter Isham is one of that business's most sought-after talents. In this 1989 Windham Hill release he created a spare yet expansive soundtrack evoking the mystical, inaccessible mood of the "Roof of the World." *fi*im

CD 0888: Tangerine Dream: Rubycon. A classic album of German synthesizer band space music from this influential ensemble, at this point (1975) consisting of Edgar Froese, Chris Franke, and Peter Baumann. *ar*el*im

CD 0882: J. D. Crowe & the New South: J. D. Crowe & the New South. Originally released in 1975, this milestone album expanded the horizons of bluegrass by introducing more complex scales into the music and adding a jazz flavor. Note, moreover, the personnel: in addition to Crowe, the band consisted of Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, and Bobby Slone... *ac*bg

CD 0844: Laurie Anderson: Big Science. From even the first few seconds of this 1982 album listeners were tipped off that they were about to embark on a completely new kind of journey. It's now nearly twenty years and a dozen releases later, but the stylish machinations of performance artist Anderson remain instantly recognizable, though having been much imitated in the interim. *ar*pc*ss

CD 0843: Ofra Haza: Kirya. Ofra Haza, an Israeli singer of Yemenite descent, died in 2000 under suspicious circumstances while still in her early 40s. Too bad: Possessed of a powerful and flexible voice and able to sing in several languages and in several styles, she was Israel's leading female vocalist at the time of her death. Kirya--a Grammy-nominated album--provides ample evidence of her talent. *is

CD 0842: Loreena McKennitt: The Book of Secrets. It doesn't take much listening to Canadian Loreena McKennitt's fabulous voice and sensuous compositions and performances to understand why she has such a large and loyal following. This 1997 release linked her Celtic-rock explorations to experiences assimilated during a cross-continental Asiatic trip. *ce*rk*ss

CD 0841: Tangerine Dream: Phaedra. The long-lived German synthesizer band Tangerine Dream, though not a household name in this country, nevertheless has a very strong cult following worldwide, and has had a profound effect on the evolution of ambient electronic music styles. Phaedra, from 1974 (when the band's ever-shifting lineup consisted of Edgar Froese, Chris Franke, and Peter Baumann) is one of their spaciest and most ethereal all-instrumental recordings. *ar*im*el

CD 0840: Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O'Connor: Appalachia Waltz. Not quite classical, not quite bluegrass, not quite new age, this music is the ultimate crossover fare. The partly traditional and partly original material benefits from the combined chamber music-like sensibilities of three of the finest instrumentalists now playing. *ac*bg*cl

CD 0839: Keith Jarrett: The Köln Concert. Jazz (and lately, classical) pianist Keith Jarrett is perhaps best known as a transcending master of technique. This session captured a set of extraordinary solo improvisations, and is now regarded as one of the world of jazz's essential recordings. *jz*pf

CD 0838: John Prine: John Prine. Western Kentucky's own John Prine epitomizes the term "singer-songwriter." His wry yet reverential observations have made him a national treasure; this album, his first, contains a slew of his best known pieces, including 'Illegal Smile,' 'Hello in There,' 'Sam Stone,' 'Paradise,' and 'Angel from Montgomery.' *cf*ss

CD 0837: Kate and Anna McGarrigle: Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Sister singer-songwriter team Kate and Anna McGarrigle may not have instant name recognition outside their native Canada, but few acts have earned such a universally high level of respect among their peers. This is their first (and possibly best) album, including an unsurpassable reading of their most famous song, 'Heart Like a Wheel.' *cf*ss*wm

CD 0836: Toumani Diabate (with Ballake Sissoko): New Ancient Strings. No words can give an adequate idea of just how sparkling and bright, yet trance-like, this music is. Mali musician Diabate is today's foremost student of the West African stringed instrument known as the kora, which in play sounds something like a cross between a hammered dulcimer and a harp. *ac*ia*na

CD 0835: Robert Fripp and Brian Eno: Evening Star. Combine avant-garde electric guitarist extraordinaire Robert Fripp (of King Crimson fame) with the father and leading spirit of ambient music, Brian Eno, and what do you get? Quite an esoteric exploration, to be sure, including the startling, brilliantly sublime, title track. *am*ar*eg*el

CD 0834: The Modern Lovers: The Modern Lovers. Group leader and lead singer Jonathan Richman is one of rock 'n roll's great legendary one-of-a-kinds. His approach to his subject has proved timeless and prophetic (think of the group The Cars when you listen to this CD), and he has even given us perhaps the finest cruisin' song ever written: the immortal 'Roadrunner.' *rk

CD 0833: Steve Roach: Dreamtime Return. Arizonan Roach is the leading exponent of the techno-ambient style of new age music, and this double-album exploring the myth and psychology of the Australian aborigines' Dreamtime legend rates as a first-class masterpiece. Get out your headphones, sit down and relax in a dimly-lit room, and be prepared to take a trip... *am*el*im*na

CD 0832: Charlie Musselwhite: Best of the Vanguard Years. Charlie Musselwhite is one of the--if not the--greatest living blues harp players. This collection features selected material from his first several albums in the 1960s, including sidemen such as Harvey Mandel, Barry Goldberg, John Hammond, and Michael Bloomfield. *bl

CD 0831: Norman Blake and Tony Rice: Blake & Rice. Two of the best pickers in the business in a classic recording of traditional and original folk material. *ac*ag*cf

CD 0830: Arvo Pärt: Alina. Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is perhaps today's most talked about classical composer. Strongly influenced both by Minimalism and the music of the Russian Orthodox Church, his music is sparse but powerful. Alina, consisting of delicate variations on a pair of simple themes for solo piano and piano and cello/violin, was possibly the most successful classical/new age crossover CD of 2000. *am*cl*na*pf

CD 0829: Iris DeMent: My Life. DeMent was one of the 90s' most successful new singer-songwriters. My Life, her second release, was dedicated to the memory of her father, and further showcased her strongly country-influenced and highly intimate delivery and song-writing style. *cy*ss*wm

CD 0828: Herbie Hancock: Head Hunters. The best known and biggest-selling album fusing funk and jazz, and still considered highly influential today. *jz*pf*rb

CD 0827: Steve Reich: Different Trains / Electric Counterpoint. Steve Reich is one of the two most celebrated fashioners (along with Philip Glass) of the classical music style known as Minimalism. In this CD two of his best known works are performed by a pair of quite different but equally well-established acts: the classical music crossover ensemble the Kronos Quartet, and the jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. *cl*im

CD 0826: Etta James: Mystery Lady. Etta James has had a long and distinguished career as one of our foremost blues and jazz singers, but this award-winning 1994 recording, featuring songs of Billie Holiday and dedicated to James's mother, is perhaps her crowning achievement. *jz*rb

CD 0825: Márta Sebestyén: The Best Of. Even before her featured presence on the soundtrack of the movie The English Patient, Hungarian vocalist Márta Sebestyén had worked her way to the top of the ranks of the world's leading folksingers. This CD provides a sample of her best material, with and without the band with which she is often associated, Muzsikas. *ac*cf*ie

CD 0824: Patti Smith: Horses. Some would argue that Patti Smith was one of the most important forces keeping rock music alive and vital during the disco void of the late 1970s. At the very least, a lot of today's acts owe a considerable debt to her lead. *ar*rk

CD 0823: Robert Rich: Rainforest. This 1989 release, described on its cover as "a polyrhythmic, electroacoustic journey into the lush green beauty of the tropical soundspace--in the natural harmonics of just intonation," was the first of a continuing string of highly successful projects by Californian sound sculptor Rich. Real good mind-food. *am*el*na

CD 0822: Nick Drake: Pink Moon. It's been thirty years since English guitarist/singer/songwriter Drake died of an apparent accidental medicinal drug overdose, but his moody, introspective music and mystery-man persona has finally made him famous. And a certain Volkswagen convertible ad didn't hurt any... *ac*ag*cf*ss

CD 0821: Bob Marley and the Wailers: Legend (Best Of). The sad early death from cancer at age 36 of Bob Marley deprived reggae music of its pre-eminent talent and spokesperson. This collection features fourteen of his best known compositions, including 'Is This Love,' 'I Shot the Sheriff,' 'Buffalo Soldier,' and 'Get Up Stand Up.' *in*pc*rg*ss

CD 0820: The Firesign Theatre: How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All. The Firesign Theatre, an American radio comedy group, produced several delightfully abstruse albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This one, perhaps the most "out there" of them all, features their signature radio play 'The Further Adventures of Nick Danger.' Monty Python-esque, but more cerebral. *cm

CD 0819: Tom Waits: Rain Dogs. Tom Waits is an acquired taste, but once encountered this gravel-voiced poet and Beat Generation descendant is hard to resist. Who else could write (and recite) words like "Well it's 9th and Hennepin, and all the donuts have names that sound like prostitutes..."? *ss

CD 0812: Miles Davis: Bitches Brew. This 1970 album was a milestone both for popular music and for Davis individually: the work in which jazz went definitively electric. Also notable for the strength of Davis' side players, including, among others, John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette. *im*jz