Swati, Christine Martucci, Dolly Parton, Revolutions, Kitty Rose, Giorgia Fumanti, Leonard Cohen, Celtic Woman, Maude Maggart, Electric Light Orchestra, and Johnny Mathis.
Swati
Small Gods
Thank goodness Swati didn’t accept that scholarship offered by Julliard to study trombone. Riding her 12-string like it’s a mad bronco, this out Lilith Fair alum also delivers profound and profane lyrics the likes of which we haven’t heard since DiFranco pitched her first musical fit. Available April 3 from Mood Indigo Entertainment (www.moodindigoentertainment.com). — Review: Nancy Ford
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Christine Martucci
I’m All In
If Melissa Etheridge ever needs a vocal stunt double, this New Jersey rocker would make a prime candidate. Standouts on this sophomore CD from the now-out army vet are “Devil’s Door” and the designated first single, “There You Are.” From Sunsetswest Records. More: www.christinemartucci.com. — Review: Nancy Ford
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Dolly Parton
Coat of Many Colors
My Tennessee Mountain Home
Jolene
Rich in good material with touches of gospel organ and bluegrass harmonies, these expanded editions are a perfect example of Parton’s awe-inspiring work. Who can forget her all-time favorite performances of “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “My Tennessee Mountain Home”? The effortless connection between the songwriting, singing. and production is brilliant. A genuine piece of Americana capturing emotional turmoil and nostalgic memories. Available April 3 from Legacy (www.legacyrecordings.com). — Review: Andrea Rodricks
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Various Artists
Revolutions
Some of the artists on this GLBT compilation garnered advance play as background tracks to Showtime’s The L Word, including Kirsten Price (“Magic Tree”) and God-Des and She (“Love You Better”). With rock, rap, and R&B cuts, the CD is both tasty and diverse. Available April 17 from Music With A Twist/Columbia Records. More: www.musicwithatwist.com. — Review: Nancy Ford
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Kitty Rose
Live at the Ryman
This 1972 recording of the former Houston home girl follows her Greatest Hits release in 2005, which brought her the Outmusic Award for Best Debut Female Artist. In this live work, she sings a lot about her horse and avoids pronouns in her lyrics. But it was 1972, after all. Excellent boot-scootin’ fodder. From Wild Affair Productions (www.kittyrose.com). — Review: Nancy Ford
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Giorgia Fumanti
From My Heart
A full third of the songs on this Italian-born classical soprano’s first CD come from this year’s Special Oscar recipient, Ennio Morricone. Making her recording even more special is Fumanti’s ambitious take on “I’ve Dreamed of You,” first recorded by La Streisand herself. Gutsy and satisfying. From Manhattan Records (www.manhattanrecords.com). — Review: Nancy Ford
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Leonard Cohen
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Songs of Love and Hate
Songs From a Room
Originally recorded in that heady hippie period between 1967 and 1970, these works have been expanded to celebrate the revered poet/musician/storyteller’s 40th anniversary on the Columbia label. The still-prolific Cohen chose to celebrate the milestone, however, by producing jazz artist Anjani’s cover of his own “Blue Alert.” All are timelessly transformative. Available April 24 from Columbia/Legacy (www.columbiarecords.com, www.legacyrecordings.com). — Review: Nancy Ford
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Celtic Woman
A New Journey
Think Riverdance without the foot pounding. Dominating the world music scene since their 2005 debut, these six women put a pleasingly high harmonic twist on both traditional Irish tunes and familiar standards, alike. Includes a cover of “Over the Rainbow” that promises to shatter glass. From Manhattan Records (www.manhattanrecords.com). — Review: Nancy Ford
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Maude Maggart
Maude Maggart Live
Recorded in part at the historic Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room, Maggart (the sister of Fiona Apple, by the way) delivers cabaret tunes with palpable freshness and innocence. Especially enjoyable is the seldom-heard entré to Rodgers and Hart’s “My Funny Valentine.” More: www.maudemaggart.com. — Review: Nancy Ford
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Electric Light Orchestra
Out of the Blue
The remakes of this hit-filled 1977 double LP (plus their Balance of Power CD) marks the completion of the official restoration project of the 11 studio albums by the now 30-year-old ELO. The 20 tunes represent rock god Jeff Lynn’s sophisticated, lush artistry at its best. From Epic/Legacy (www.epicrecords.com, www.legacyrecordings.com). — Review: Nancy Ford
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Music DVD
Johnny Mathis
Gold: A 50th Anniversary Celebration
Out singer Johnny Mathis celebrated his 50th anniversary in the music industry with an amazing concert called Johnny Mathis: Wonderful, Wonderful! that was filmed for PBS. If you missed this once-in-a-lifetime concert, the DVD summarizes his half-century as a recording star. P erhaps one of the greatest singers of his generation, the DVD includes Mathis standards and unforgettable hits. Fans will be pleased with the a dded bonus material: eight more songs, a tour of his home, and an extraordinary photo gallery. From Columbia/Legacy (www.columbiarecords.com, www.legacyrecordings.com). — Preview: Andrea Rodricks
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