Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

A preening poseur, Rod the (former) Mod has sacrificed an admittedly brilliant rock voice too often for fame and fortune. Most recently, Stewart cashed in with the four-volume Great American Songbook series, which sold a staggering 15 million copies worldwide. Here, the model-chasing Scot tries to salvage some credibility by lending his famous sandpaper vocals to such rock hits as Badfinger’s “Day After Day” and The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You.” A good career move, but a case of too little, too late.

Cochrane is not celebrated like fellow Canadian singer-songwriters Joni, Leonard or Neil. But his body of work has attracted a large and loyal fan base, from Red Rider days to his solo recordings. This studio album, Cochrane’s first in eight years, proves that the creator of “Life is a Highway” and other hits is still on a meaningful musical journey. The best songs include the chiming ballad “Glide” and the anthemic rocker “White Horse.” Clearly, as Cochrane sings on the album’s passionate opener, the party’s not yet over.

It’s a big jump from a Pentecostal church in New Jersey to collaborating with Eric Clapton. But that’s how far the pedal steel guitar has taken Randolph, who plays his instrument with Clapton-like virtuosity. Hugely popular on the jam-band circuit, Randolph will do well with his second studio album, which features Dave Matthews and Clapton himself, on a raucous rendition of The Byrds’ “Jesus is Just Alright.” There’s also Sly Stone-style funk on “Diane” and joyful gospel-rock on “Deliver Me.”