Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Like Norah Jones, Peyroux inhabits a world that might be called near jazz: lots of blue notes and a bit of swing, but not nearly enough jazz-like daring. Still, there’s an appealing fragility in Peyroux ’s voice, which often gets compared to greats like Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith. Her vulnerability is well-suited to Fred Neil’s escapist “Everybody’s Talkin’” and Charlie Chaplin’s brave “Smile.” And her gentle phrasing provides the perfect glide to kd lang’s magnificent push on Joni Mitchell’s skating classic “River.”  Sept. 12

Cuddy forever sealed his place in the Canadian pop pantheon with his oh-so-sweet vocal on Blue Rodeo’s 1987 hit “Try.” That high, keening tenor serves as the mellifluous counterpart to Greg Keelor’s scruffier alto. Here, on Cuddy’s sophomore solo release, it’s heard on the choruses to the title track and “All I Need.” Elsewhere, Cuddy croons in mid-register on the piano ballad “Pull Me Through” and on the melancholic “What She Said.” And country vixen Kathleen Edwards chimes in on the honky-tonkin’ “Married.” Sept. 12

Ever since 1984’s How Will the Wolf Survive, this Latin band from East L.A. has proven itself to be one of the most intelligent rock groups anywhere. Forget “La Bamba.” Instead, check out this fine concept album, chronicling the immigrant experience, and Los Lobos’ best work since 1992’s Buñuel-like dreamscape classic, Kiko. From the defiant “The Road to Gila Bend,” about an Hispanic fugitive, and the infectious “Chuco’s Cumbia” to the gorgeous, folk-flavored “Luna,” this is American roots music at its finest. Sept. 12