of artists sharing their love of music in an intimate setting. Features vocal and instrumental duets with Chris Botti, Sting, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Regina Spektor and many others.  (less)

long time. But given Grizzly Bear s hectic touring schedule, including stints with Radiohead, TV On The Radio and Feist as well as several performances during a five-night tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a co-headlining show with the L.A. Philharmonic, and the release of Friend, a 10-song EP of re-recorded and re-worked songs, collaborations and covers all this seems reasonable. They ve been busy. But about a year ago, singer/songwriter Ed Droste, drummer Christopher Bear, woodwinds player/bassist Chris Taylor and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Rossen who s other band, Department of Eagles, released the sublime In Ear Park last fall began passing demos around, and working together creatively in different pairs and permutations. A few months l...  (less)

that gives extra polish to a very familiar lineup. Some might find her style frosty at times, but that will come as a relief to those who want their carolers to cut through some of the holiday treacle and create a festive, yet grown-up vibe. And Krall does show off her playful side with little, personal touches. In "Winter Wonderland" she promises to "frolic and play the Canadian way," which should draw smiles from her native land. (That'll mean toasting the holiday with Molson, eh?) Elsewhere, she ends "Jingle Bells" with the girlishly giddy statement, "I'm just crazy about horses." Well…can't argue with that. --Leah Weathersby  (less)

an alternate reality of sorts to the history of pop music, lovingly re-casting hits of all genres into bizarre and hilarious songs and videos that themselves have become hits. In fact, Al's work became so synonymous with the hits they parodied that Michael Jackson gave Al access to the "Bad" video set to make his classic "Fat" video! This is to say nothing of Al's original songs which are as witty and endearing as his parody work. Starting with his debut album in 1983 and navigating a quarter century of popular song, The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic is the definitive collection (assembled by Al himself!) of his masterful and enduring work. With songs from all of Al's studio albums, this double CD set features 38 tracks comprising over 2 ½ hours of music incl...  (less)

Pierre Marchand blurs the borders with ambient sound effects, distorted guitars, and subtle echoes. He adds a Mark Isham-esque muted trumpet solo emerging out of reverse echoes on "I'll Be Home for Christmas" as if viewing the song through a distorted mirror. Violins that sound like they're being blown through a Leslie speaker combine unpredictably with a banjo on "O Little Town of Bethlehem." And on the seventh song, McLachlan finally kicks the album into another gear, turning "The First Noël" into a storming entreaty backed by tribal drums and surging low strings. Her voice is like the serene angel amidst the raging storm. I wish McLachlan had taken more chances like this, instead of the subtle framing she employs arou...  (less)

Kelly, and the View. Martina also visited the Today Show multiple times, opened the NBC 4th of July Special and was the subject of a 2 hour primetime special, Six Degrees of Martina McBide, that aired summer 07 an ABC. In addition to her TV appearance, Martina was the 2007 top country female touring act, and in all genres, second only to Gwen Stefani.  (less)