Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Gilberto’s father, Joao, is the godfather of Brazilian bossa nova, while her stepmother, Astrud, is the voice behind “The Girl from Ipanema.” Bebel stepped out of her family’s shadow with Tanto Tempo and its companion remix album, both tinged with electronica. Her self-titled sophomore album stuck closer to chill-out samba sounds. Here, working with producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna, Björk) she goes for mid-tempo grooves like “Bring Back the Love,” a sensuous dance number featuring New York’s Brazilian Girls. Apr. 24

It must please Mitchell no end that nearly half of the songs by admirers here come from her often overlooked post-folk period. Björk, Elvis Costello and jazz pianist Brad Mehldau all tackle material from The Hissing of Summer Lawns, while Caetano Veloso brings his Brazilian vibe to “Dreamland” from Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter. Mind you, there are several songs drawn from Mitchell’s quintessential album Blue, including Prince’s stunning, falsetto-drenched version of “A Case of You,” which steals the show. Apr. 24

Having Ry Cooder produce this album by the gospel great is an inspired choice. Cooder brings a rootsy edge to civil rights anthems like “We Shall Not Be Moved,” featuring South African choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Staples, still vibrant and ever soulful, covers Cooder’s tender “I’ll Be Rested” and delivers a stunning rendition of “Jesus is on the Mainline,” a song Cooder once recorded. And she adlibs her way through bluesman J.B. Lenoir’s “Down in Mississippi” (also featuring Ladysmith) to brilliant effect. Apr. 24