Rufus Wainwright croons “My Funny Valentine,” among other savvy standards. High-profile out artists on Love Rocks include sax player Dave Koz and an uncredited k.d. lang, who sings a stunning duet with Carole King on “An Uncommon Love.”

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Valentine's Day has a funny way of sneaking up on us, so with the lovers' holiday around the corner I thought I would make some romantic musical suggestions. The music that follows is appropriate for drinks, dinner, and whatever follows.

The gay community's very own cupid, Rufus Wainwright, is the first voice we hear on the compilation Sweetheart: Love Songs (Hear Music). As you might expect, Wainwright's reading of "My Funny Valentine" is perfection, allowing him to renew a timeworn tune with his own unique blend of personal style and savvy. The remaining 14 selections are a brilliant assortment of vintage and contemporary standards performed by some of the biggest names in cutting-edge music. M. Ward, for instance, opens the door to twang on his rendition of Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door." Neko Case gently pours it on for her version of Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain." Martina Topley-Bird maintains a retro feel for "I Only Have Eyes for You," while Joseph Arthur does Morrissey and the Smiths proud with his cover of "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out."

Wainwright is noticeably absent from two specifically LGBT-themed compilations, but that doesn't mean that they don't have their own powers to woo the listener. A vast improvement over 2002's Human Rights Campaign benefit disc Being Out Rocks (which, by the way, didn't), the double-disc set anthology Love Rocks (Centaur) is a loving blend of LGBT artists and allies from the straight community. Net proceeds from CD sales will support HRC. The music, and the deeply moving quotes from some of the performers in the booklet, speaks to loving whomever we choose and being our beautiful (thank you, Christina Aguilera) queer selves in the face of adversity. In fact, the many independent queer voices on this compilation, including Jen Foster, The Bootlickers, L.P., Kinnie Starr, Eric Himan, Garrin Benfield, and Ari Gold, allow this collection to be the kind you can return to time and again. High-profile out artists on Love Rocks include sax player Dave Koz and an uncredited k.d. lang, who sings a stunning duet with Carole King on "An Uncommon Love."

Both the aforementioned Ari Gold and The Bootlickers can also be heard on the two-disc multi-artist compilation Marry Me (Figjam), which is separated into "Ceremony" and "Reception" CDs. While this set doesn't rely as heavily on blockbuster names from the straight community, it does have Marcella Detroit (of Shakespeare's Sister fame) and Bree ("David Duchovny") Sharp, as well as an abundance of queer performers including Mark Weigle, Yolanda, Daniel Cartier, and RuPaul, to mention a few. The ACLU Foundation's Lesbian & Gay Rights and AIDS Projects benefit from sales of this disc.

"Nature Boy" is one of those songs that verges on being over-performed. However, when a gay chorus performs it, the song suddenly takes on new meaning and a renewed energy. The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus opens its romantic new CD I Will Be Loved Tonight (www.cgmc.org) with that standard, then follows it with a warm rendition of the CD's title track, a song from the musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Other inspired and inspiring numbers include "Love Can't Happen," the multi-layered "I Got Love," and the aforementioned Carole King's "Hold Out for Love," which is the album's high point. The chorus also reflects on the down side of love with its renditions of "I Don't Remember Christmas," "I Don't Know Who I Belong To," and "Words He Doesn't Say."

If words would only get in the way of what you have planned for your loved one on Valentine's Day, I would like to recommend Legs to Make Us Longer (Red Ink/ Epic) by Kaki King. Easily one of the most exciting young female guitarists around (the other is Kate Schutt), King's second album is so thrilling that it has the potential to leave the listener breathless. From the riveting "Playing With Pink Noise" to the rhythmic and thumping "Ingots" to the seductive shuffle of "Doing the Wrong Thing" to the unexpected breathy vocalizing on "My Insect Life," King has created a subtly sexual soundtrack.

Gregg Shapiro is a past recipient of the annual OutMusic award that recognizes involvement by non-musicians in furthering the work of GLBT performers.

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Various Artists
Love Songs

Ah, the love song . . . nothing more inspiring when you've fallen under Cupid's spell, and nothing more miserable when you're in the throes of a wicked breakup. We can all relate to that one . . . ahem. Well, the folks at Legacy are concerned for your well-being this Valentine's Day, and to demonstrate that, they've released a series of broken-heart ballads by some of the greatest crooners of the past few decades. Mind you, these are separate releases for each artist--a list which includes full collections by Neil Sedaka, Air Supply, Lena Horne, and Gladys Knight. Near the top of the list would have to be Dionne Warwick's disc, packed full of duets with everyone from Stevie Wonder to openly gay Johnny Mathis. Taking up the country wagon is Waylon Jennings, who's barrel-chested songs will soothe the ears of the hardest cowboys, and the incredibly brilliant Harry Belafonte (seriously, read an interview with him sometime) chimes in with a plethora of tracks, including "Hallelujah, I Love Her So." It's a tie for the best of the collection, however: The Delfonics and Nina Simone each take equally exceptional stabs at reminding you that the hurt is only there because you know how to love. The catch: Nearly all of these songs were recorded in the '60s or early '70s. Can't anyone write good love songs anymore? From Legacy (www.legacyrecordings.com). -- Lance Scott Walker