Grobanites are accustomed to their hero singing in different languages. Here, Josh duets in Italian with pop star Laura Pausini, tackles Spanish backed by Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and covers the great Stevie Wonder. But the L.A.-born singer-actor is also composing more memorable tunes, co-writing the inspirational “Brave” with Tawgs Salter and Chantal Kreviazuk.
Everyone’s just wild about Harry. The singer-pianist’s breakthrough came in 1989 when his smooth jazz caused Tony Bennett to call him “the next Frank Sinatra.” His lean good looks quickly led to acting, most notably in Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock and lately in TV’s Will & Grace and Law & Order. Recently, Connick Jr. has devoted himself to his New Orleans birthplace, organizing post- Katrina benefits and recording tribute albums like Oh, My Nola. Now the crooning heartthrob—co-founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, New Orleans’ first integrated, celebrity-filled Mardi Gras krewe—has released an album of joyous carnival music. Timed to coincide with Mardi Gras and Orpheus’ 20th anniversa...
Ron’s “forever endeavour” is crafting the perfect album of melancholic pop. A consummate songsmith, he’s accomplished that lofty goal with this collection of bittersweet gems. Set to woodwinds, strings and congas, songs like the reflective “Nowhere to Go” and the raucous “Snake Road” beautifully encapsulate sadness—without ever succumbing to despair.
The New Orleans vocal legend looks like a dockworker and sounds like an angel. He’s lent his sweet voice to collaborations with Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan and Linda Ronstadt. Here, working with Keith Richards and Don Was, he tackles the doo-wop classics of his youth, including sublime covers of “Under the Boardwalk” and “This Magic Moment.”
After walloping the Caribbean, Hurricane Sandy took a devastating toll on the northeastern United States. The powerful storm left parts of New York City underwater and left millions without heat or electricity for weeks. It caused 140 deaths and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of homes. The music community rushed to help, staging a mammoth concert on Dec. 12 to raise money for the victims, reaching over two billion through TV, live streams, radio and theatre simulcasts. More than $30 million was raised through ticket sales alone. Now that superstar-packed concert is available on a two-disc benefit CD. Jersey shore hero Bruce Springsteen delivers an impassioned “Wrecking Ball,” Pau...
Music always rules in Quentin Tarantino movies—remember John Travolta and Uma Thurman dancing to Chuck Berry in Pulp Fiction? The director’s latest is no exception, featuring funk from James Brown, a soulful duet between Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton and an evocative score from spaghetti Western legend Ennio Morricone.
TV’s Shameless star won raves for her singing role in The Phantom of the Opera. On her second CD, Rossum goes retro with classic songs from the 1920s to the ’60s, including a bluesy “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” and a breezy version of the Frank Sinatra favorite “Summer Wind.”
Few cases have galvanized Hollywood and the music community more than the story of three teenage boys wrongfully convicted for the murder of three Cub Scouts. The Memphis Three’s release, following 18 years of imprisonment, came after fundraising efforts by director Peter Jackson, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Dixie Chick Natalie Maines. Says actor Johnny Depp, another supporter: “I was instantly struck by how heinous a crime [it was], but also the wave of injustice that followed it.” The soundtrack to a documentary about the case captures the passion of those voices and includes Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams and Johnny’s band Tonto’s Giant Nuts delivering a dark version of Mumford & Sons’ ...
The Ivory Queen of Soul recorded one final album before her death in 2010. Completed by daughter, this posthumous release will cement the singer’s status as an r&b great. Along with covers of Curtis Mayfield’s “Give Me Your Love,” it includes the passionate “Luv Letter,” which pays tribute to Lady T’s Motown roots.
Roll over Beethoven. Classical cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser are shaking up the pop world. Sir Elton John’s a major fan and sings with them here on a spirited Fleetwood Mac cover. Other highlights include AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” featuring legendary guitarist Steve Vai, and Coldplay’s “Clocks,” with acclaimed concert pianist Lang Lang.
