The James Logan Courier

By Kelley L. Carter, Greg Crawford, Brian McCollum, Mark Stryker and Martin Bandyke
Detroit Free Press
(MCT)

For the teen listener who loves hit radio: "Now That's What I Call Music! Vol. 23" (Sony). If the budding music fan on your list isn't yet equipped with an iPod — and the online song downloads that come with it — the latest volume in this pop-hits series is a surefire way to go. The 16-track CD is heavy on dance-pop (Fergie, Nelly Furtado), but includes doses of hip-hop (Chingy) and rock (Teddy Geiger). Rate it PG-14 for content.
—BMc



For the music lover with eclectic tastes who remains a little bit country at heart: Vince Gill, "These Days" (MCA Nashville, four discs, $29.99). Gee, talk about pent-up supply. The prolific and versatile Gill, who hasn't released an album in nearly four years, pours forth here, delivering 43 new tunes scattered over four discs that are divided by musical genre. There's a volume devoted to workmanlike pop ballads, another that leans toward bluesy roadhouse rock and a third made up of affable bluegrass and acoustic material. But the real stunner (no surprise really) is Gill's collection of 10 traditional country tunes, which finds him cozying up to, among others, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless and Phil Everly.
—GC

For the biggest jazz fiend in your life: Miles Davis, "The Legendary Prestigious Quintet Sessions" (Prestige, four discs, $59.98). Most serious fans already own CDs by Davis' 1955-56 quintet — one of the great groups in jazz history — but they will adore this box, which includes the classic LPs, a bonus disc of rare live performances, written transcriptions of four Davis trumpet solos, good sonics and excellent liner notes.
—MS

For the '80s junkie who's in love with Michael Jackson yesterday, today and forever: Michael Jackson, "Visionary: The Video Singles" (Sony, 19 discs, $149.98). All of the favorites from the man who revolutionized high-concept music videos are included in this collection — taking fans from "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" to "Thriller" to "Blood on the Dance Floor."
—KLC

For those who prefer their female singer-songwriters way left of center: "Tori Amos — A Piano: The Collection" (Rhino, five discs, $74.98). Adult alternative pianist and vocalist Amos isn't for everyone, but her confessional, autobiographical tunes have garnered an extremely devoted cult audience that has stuck with her through the years. This handsomely packaged box set touches all the bases, with better-known tracks such as "Cornflake Girl" and "Me And a Gun" included along with B-sides and other rarities.
—MB

For the metal fan who thinks bands don't rock like they used to: Mastodon, "Blood Mountain" (Reprise). Mastodon blew up the autumn release schedule lists with this monster of an album, which barrels unashamedly through prog-rock but yields to no restrictive definition as it explores a variety of heavy styles. Smart, melodic and unrelenting, this third album from the Atlanta quartet is also its best.
—BMc

For the cool, hip mom who still has a few lessons to learn about good hip-hop music: Jay-Z, "Kingdom Come" (Roc-a-Fella). Thankfully, the CEO came out of his three-year retirement to record and release one of the best albums of the year. The beauty of this project represents the beauty of music in general — the creative types get a chance to let loose pent-up frustrations. Jay had one main one: the state of today's hip-hop.
—KLC

For the uncle who thinks he's cool (but really isn't because he can't even keep up with ever-changing hip-hop monikers) and still walks around calling Calvin Broaddus "Snoop Doggy Dogg": Snoop Dogg, "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" (Geffen). This album was a chance for Snoop to reconnect with mentor Dr. Dre and release the type of g-funk music that put him on the map. He also has help from friend R. Kelly and D12 member Denaun Porter, who contribute some of the album's best tracks.
—KLC

For the aspiring rock star who gets revved up about Waylon: Waylon Jennings, "Nashville Rebel" (RCA, four discs, $49.98). A funny thing has happened to country outlaw Waylon on his way to becoming a legend. He's cited only infrequently as an influence by today's young country stars, but he's revered by many young rockers. This fine career retrospective opens with 1958's Cajun-flavored "Jole Blon" (produced by Buddy Holly shortly before his death), continues through Waylon's glory years in the '70s and concludes with "I Do Believe," recorded in the mid-'90s with fellow Highwaymen Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. An accompanying booklet is chock-full of photos and a short-but-sweet reminiscence by Jessi Colter, Jennings' widow.
—GC

For anybody who loves music: The Beatles, "Love" (Capitol). New fan, old fan, preteen, grandma — you can't go wrong with the Beatles. This masterful mash-up of Beatles material — coproduced by right-hand man George Martin — puts a fresh spin on a batch of familiar songs. The album, soundtrack to the Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil production of the same name, is also the coolest new Beatles project since the "Anthology" series a decade ago.
—BMc

For the granddad who thinks that all the music the kids make and are listening to these days is a bunch of hooey: John Legend, "Once Again" (Sony). The R&B crooner who first made noise on albums by Jay-Z and Kanye West is back with a '70s-inspired instant classic. It'll take listeners back to the easy-breezy days of afros, capris and platform shoes, when they were hot the first time around. Legend's voice is like warm maple syrup slowly oozing over some of the best midtempo, piano-driven tracks around.
—KLC

For the prolific concertgoer: Ticketmaster Gift Card (www.ticketmaster.com). The live-music fan in your world gets concert carte blanche with this new program from the world's biggest ticket vendor. Cards are available in increments ranging from $50, which can translate to several lawn seats next summer, to $250, which might be enough for a decent vantage point at the next Paul McCartney or Eagles show. The cards don't expire and can be redeemed for seats via Ticketmaster's Web site, phone lines and retail outlets.
—BMc

For the 1993 high school prom king/football team captain/all-American who still walks around wearing a team letterman jacket: Silk, "Always and Forever" (Shanachie). This has the '90s quartet covering some of the best homecoming dance music from the '70s, '80s and '90s. Songs include "Nite And Day," "Two Occasions" and "Adore."
—KLC

For the blues aficionado who loves music that goes boom boom in the night: "John Lee Hooker — Hooker" (Shout! Factory, four discs, $59.98). Box set from the quintessential bluesman, who got his first big break in Motown while playing the bustling Hastings Street circuit after World War II. It begins with "Boogie Chillen," recorded at Detroit's legendary United Sound studio in 1948, and includes numerous other songs that have become boogie and blues standards, including, of course, "Boom Boom." Cool, too, are the collaborations with the likes of Canned Heat and Carlos Santana.
—MB

For the Dolly fan who prefers the singer sans sequins: Dolly Parton, "The Acoustic Collection: 1999-2002" (Sugar Hill, four discs, $31.98). With her Nashville star flickering out a few years ago, Parton got back to her east Tennessee roots and arguably did the best work of her career on three bluegrass-flavored discs: 1999's "The Grass Is Blue," 2001's "Little Sparrow" and 2002's "Halos & Horns." All three are here, along with a fourth bonus disc that includes five new song mixes and music videos.
—GC

For the classic country fan who's a bit cerebral: Jim Lauderdale, "Country Super Hits, Vol. 1" (Yep Roc). Veteran singer-songwriter Lauderdale, king of country for the thinking man and woman, deserves a spot near the top of any list of the year's best country albums. In a better world, the 13 traditional tracks on this overlooked (and ironically titled) gem would indeed be country super hits and Lauderdale would be playing to packed arenas.
—GC

For the smooth jazz fan on your list who needs a quality upgrade: Weather Report: "Forecast: Tomorrow" (Columbia Legacy, four discs, $49.98). Back in the '70s, fusion had an exploratory edge, especially the jazz-rock pioneered by Weather Report, cofounded by Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter. This three-CD set, plus a dynamic 1978 concert DVD, charts the band's evolution, including landmarks "I Sing the Body Electric," "Mysterious Traveler" and "Heavy Weather."
—MS

For the uncle who likes cutting-edge theater, art and film and has an open mind about music: Ornette Coleman, "Sound Grammar" (Sound Grammar). The legendary alto saxophonist and free jazz innovator is surrounded by a sympathetic acoustic quartet (including two basses) that shadows his bluesy melodic sighs, springy rhythms, singsong joys and profound lamentations with uncanny perception.
—MS

For the opera aficionado who needs help naming a 21st-century composer: Osvaldo Golijov, "Ainadamar" (Deutsche Grammophon). A major contemporary voice, Golijov (GO-lee-off) writes vibrantly colored, rhythmically charged and melodically swooning music that pulsates with flamenco and other folk sources. His opera, a memory play about Catalan actress Margarita Xirgu, shivers with eroticism and the soul of Spain.
—MS

For the Mozart lover who wants the composer's 250th birthday celebration to last forever: "George Szell Plays and Conducts Mozart" (Sony BMG Masterworks, 10 discs, $80). An attractively priced set in Sony's fun Original Jackets series, this Mozart orgy documents Szell's magical run with the Cleveland Orchestra, including first-ever CD issues of the 1949-55 mono recordings of the late symphonies and examples of Szell's marvelous chamber playing as a pianist.
—MS

For those who hate disco but love elegant pop music: "The Bee Gees — The Studio Albums 1967-1968" (Rhino, six discs, $74.98). Yes, the Bee Gees made literate, intricate music before they went over to the dance side of the musical spectrum with "Saturday Night Fever." The Gibb Brothers' first three albums get the royal, Rhino records treatment here. Each is in stereo and mono and fully loaded with demos, alternate versions and non-LP singles. It's '60s Brit-pop that rivals the best of the Beatles and the Kinks.
—MB

For completist fans of the Only Band That Matters: "The Clash — The Singles" (Sony/BMG, 19 discs, $78.98). Naysayers may call this a waste of space, as some of the discs on this 19-CD box include only two songs, but this compilation of the English punk band's 19 singles is more about accuracy and historic authenticity, with all the singles sporting original artwork and requisite B-sides released around the world at the time.
—MB

For the adventurous classical music listener who longs for surprises in the concert hall: Ben Johnston, "String Quartets Nos. 2, 3, 4, 9" (New World). An unsung genius, Johnston's exploration of alternative tuning systems has made him a maverick, but his warm and inviting music is filled with fresh color, witty unpredictability and profoundly human emotions.
—MS

For that smart but somewhat jaded music fan who thinks he has every important box set under the sun: "Legends of Country Music — Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys" (Columbia/Legacy, four discs, $39.98). The Texas fiddler and bandleader popularized Western swing music while blithely mixing country, pop, blues and jazz. This four-CD set spans his career, from his first recordings in 1932 to his final session in 1973. Take one listen to his signature tune "San Antonio Rose" and you'll understand why Bob Dylan raves about him on his XM radio show.
—MB
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