Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

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.”

The New Pornographers’ family tree leads directly to Shane Nelken, a talented odd-bod who works as an actor, film score composer and cremationist, of all things. Nelken, who’s recorded with the Pornos’ AC Newman, performs quirky, adventurous songs of his own like the dreamy “Sad Girl Radio” and the choral “T-Rexia Nervosa” with his band The Awkward Stage. There’s nothing awkward about the group’s debut, which is produced by Porno drummer Kurt Dahle. In fact, this is highly poised and polished pop.

Are you ready to be saved? Jon-Rae Fletcher and his country-soul-gospel group have their sights set on your miserable, god-forsaken soul. Singing spirited songs about sex, booze, apparitions and hitting the road, the Toronto band takes a distinctly non-Christian approach to their missionary work. With honky-tonk pianos, Stax-style horns and Fletcher’s ecstatic vocals with his girlfriend, Anne Rust D’eye, it’s like an old-fashioned revival from the boisterous opening “Roll” to the hymn closing “Fire.” Amen.