Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, Afro-Semitic Experience's "Adoshem, Adoshem, Part I" is a prayerful song that heads in unexpected directions. Hubert Williams hide caption

A 43-year-old blues singer and guitarist, Tab Benoit doesn't seem intimidated by the glorious history of "Nothing Takes the Place of You." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

A jazz pianist raised in Jamaica, Monty Alexander is the perfect choice to put a new spin on Bob Marley's "The Heathen." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Jeff Golub Band's "Freddie's Midnite Dream" pays tribute to the late blues great with the help of pianist Henry Butler. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

For The Soul of John Black, the roots of the seductive "New York to L.A." extend all the way back to the jazz age. Pep Williams hide caption

With the passion and fury of a woman scorned, Aretha Franklin sings as a victim of love in "Sweet Sixteen." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Rooted in early-20th-century blues and jazz, Davina and the Vagabonds' "lipstickandchrome" is freshened up with modern sass. Ezra Moore hide caption

Legendary guitarist Warren Haynes practically ignores his guitar and instead pours out his heart in "Save Me." Stewart O'Shields hide caption

In "Warning Signs," Eilen Jewell has a sweet and clear voice with a killer instinct lurking beneath the shiny surface. Liz Linder hide caption

From a 1973 album that was never released, psychedelic rocker Arthur Lee offers a bit of homespun philosophy in "Beep Beep." Herbert Worthington hide caption

Jason Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit, give "Never Could Believe" a swinging, defiant mood. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Marcia Ball infuses "Everybody's Looking for the Same Thing" with Texas twang and a bluesy, rollicking piano style. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

With Jack White's assistance, Wanda Jackson sings a timeless lover's lament in "Like a Baby." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Ray Charles' gritty voice takes a trifle of a tune and transforms "Isn't It Wonderful" into an intimate and enticing lover's plea. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

The young Hawaiian ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro infuses a rock staple with a moment of tropical island Zen. Danny Clinch/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media hide caption