Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

The King of Rock & Roll backed by strings and brass? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. Elvis had diverse musical tastes and was a big fan of opera singer Mario Lanza. “This is the album he always would have wanted to do,” says Priscilla Presley, the singer’s former wife. Added Priscilla, who approved the pairing of Elvis’ vocals with brand-new accompaniment by London’s Royal Philharmonic: “He would have loved to play with such a prestigious symphony orchestra.” Released for his 80th birthday, the collection is a reminder of Elvis’ emotive power, whether on familiar songs like “Love Me Tender” or the inspirational title track. Italian operatic pop trio Il Volo joins Elvis on a robust ...

What a time to be Drake. The Grammy-winning Toronto hip-hop star’s mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, released in February, is one of the year’s most successful recordings, with sales of over one million. This summer, the former actor born Aubrey Graham became embroiled in a mud-slinging beef with the rapper Meek Mill over ghostwriting accusations. Now Drake has released another bestselling mixtape. Recorded quickly with Atlanta rapper Future, the collection presents the MCs’ contrasting styles: Drake’s sharp raps and Future’s spaced-out drawls. The best collaborations are the booming “Jumpman” and the hypnotic “Diamonds Dancing.” The last two tracks are solo efforts, with Future’...

The enigmatic chanteuse once described herself as the “gangsta Nancy Sinatra.” On her latest release, Lana Del Rey embraces the tragic siren of 1950s and ’60s pop, mixing cinematic influences to create an ethereal soundtrack that is deliciously retro. It can get a little spooky. On the narcotically slow title track, Del Rey sings, “we both know the history of violence that surrounds you.” It’s clear that she’s resigned herself to the magnetic attraction of “Mr. Born to Lose.” On the sultry “Freak,” she urges her lover to “come to California and be a freak like me.” And she sounds every bit the tortured lover on the windswept “High By the Beach” when she sings, “I can’t survive, if this is al...