Louis R. Carlozo
Tank Full of Blues, by Dion
Dion, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, might have little left to prove. But the devout Catholic singer-songwriter turns in a feisty effort on this blues disc....
Sharing the Road and Shout for Joy, by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
Richard Colligan, a Lutheran church musician, yields two uplifting discs and 30 songs inspired by the Psalms. The overall feel varies from minor-key folk to gospel-tinged rock....
Rare Bird Alert, by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers
Steve Martin’s novelty song “King Tut” contains the line “could’ve won a Grammy.” Now this disc by the actor-comedian is indeed Grammy nominated, in the bluegrass category....
Ray Charles: Live in France 1961 (DVD)
Watching this 16 mm footage—lost for 50 years—in its black-and-white glory is a revelation....
Ancient & Modern by the Mekons
One of the UK's pioneering punk groups, the Mekons got together in Leeds in 1977. Leader Jon Langford now calls Chicago home, and the group still produces music at a prolific pace....
Modern Art, by Matthew Sweet
On his first album since 2008, Sweet employs vinyl in the mastering process to sweeten the sound—a sign of his '60s-pop infatuation....
Live from Kegworth Studio, by Phil Keaggy
Fans of guitar superslinger Phil Keaggy (which include, it is said, the late Jimi Hendrix) know that he's incredible live, the high quality of his studio discs notwithstanding....
Mylo Xyloto, by Coldplay
Mylo Xyloto strives to be melodic and grandiose, thoughtful and
commercial, a big seller but not a sellout. It's the artistic equivalent
of trying to serve Zeus and mammon, and it doesn't come without risks.
Mockingbird Time, by the Jayhawks
Mark Olson and Gary Louris reunited for a duo record in 2008, but this is the first album they've made together with the Jayhawks in 16 years....
Hundred More Years, by Francesca Battistelli
Dove Award winner Francesca Battistelli has proved to be a refreshing breeze in the musty swamp of the Christian music industry, delivering material that sparkles with energy and vibrancy.
The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964, by Bob Dylan
Dylan fans rejoice at any opening of the vaults—this is volume 9 in his Bootleg Series—but this double disc also welcomes anyone who is new to the '60s pioneer.
This Is Only a Test, by Smoking Popes
Since recently reuniting, the Smoking Popes have been a different band from their 1990s heyday.
Kaivama, by Kaivama
Lutheran rocker Jonathan Rundman is nothing if not prolific. Here he teams with violinist Sara Pajunen to form Kaivama, a folk music duo that yields tasty instrumentals with a Finnish accent.
Other Doors, by Klang, and Aerial Age, by Vox Arcana
In a formidable jazz town like Chicago, musicians who populate the club scene one night grace the world's concert stages the next....
The Secret Sisters, by The Secret Sisters
In a recent Chicago concert, these real-life sisters (Laura and Lydia
Rogers) sounded like angelic apparitions channeled from the Grand Ole
Opry circa 1955.
Best of Vegas, by Frank Sinatra
As the epitome of vocal cool and confidence, Frank Sinatra ruled the Las Vegas strip for more than two decades. This compilation draws on four of his best performances there between 1961 and 1987....
Becoming Liturgy, by Nate Houge
Part of the Minneapolis posse of Lutheran musicians that includes Jonathan Rundman and Echelon, Nate Houge offers up a heartfelt CD that creates a gentle mood for worship and the time leading ...
Boom Boom Rock ’n’ Roll, by Freddy Cannon
With the recent resurgence in the Four Seasons' popularity thanks to Jersey Boys, it's an apt time to rediscover Cannon (born Frederick Picariello), another East Coast Italian-American who...
Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock, by Morgan Taylor
When he's not backing up Wilco members on their solo projects, singer-songwriter Morgan Taylor makes sparkling kids' music, drawing comparisons to adult artists from Bread to the Beatles....
Take the High Road, by Blind Boys of Alabama
With roots stretching back seven decades, the Blind Boys of Alabama still chug along, aided here by a host of country luminaries, including Vince Gill ("Can You Give Me a Drink?") and the Oak...