Ry Cooder's latest CD is inspired by photos of an old Mexican American community in L.A. called Chavez Ravine. The CD is filled with stories of the community which was lost to urban sprawl in the early 1950s.
Grey DeLisle was the voice of Daphne in a direct-to-dvd cartoon movie of Scooby Doo. She's also a singer with a haunting voice on this inventive cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Grey DeLisle
CD: Iron Flowers Song: "Bohemian Rhapsody" Label: Sugar Hill
Jazz pianist Keith Jarrett quit recording and performing in the mid '90s because of chronic fatigue syndrome. He's since recovered and released this new CD: his first solo improvised concert album in a decade.
Bach originally transcribed this orchestral work by Vilvadi for organ. On his new CD, Alexandre Tharaud takes those organ transcriptions and reworks them for the piano.
Alexandre Tharaud
CD: Concertos Italiens Song: "The Sicilienne du Concerto in D Minor" Label: Harmonia Mundi
The Gang of Four are yet another ground-breaking group from the '70s that's reformed this year for a tour. They're also reissuing some of their best work, including their debut album, Entertainment!
Gang of Four
CD: Entertainment! Song: "At Home He's a Tourist" Label: Ryko
Spoon first formed in Austin, Texas in 1994. On their fifth and arguably best CD, the band takes a creative leap with an artfully crafted collection of ambitious pop.
Spoon
CD: Gimme Fiction Song: "I Turn My Camera On" Label: Merge
The Cloud Room gets its name from a speakeasy on top of the Chrysler Building in the 1930s. On their debut, the Brooklyn-based quartet blend New York indie pop with '60s rock.
The Cloud Room
CD: The Cloud Room Song: "Hey Now Now" Label: Gigantic
