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. A deft banjo picker, Martin gets A-list help from Paul McCartney (who takes the lead vocal on “Best Love”) and the Dixie Chicks (who sing lovely, tight harmonies on the ballad “You”). Martin deserves kudos for his songwriting prowess—and for including a live rendition of “King Tut” as witty closer.