Best buzz this week is a new album from Linda Thompson. Versatile Heart is only her third solo album. She's mostly known for her quarter-century plus old work with her ex-husband Richard Thompson. But even just being the vocalist of "Did She Jump or Was She Pushed?" and "The Little Beggar Girl" marks her for serious talent. Her original songwriting here is drawing praise, including four songs co-written with Teddy Thompson. Besides being her and Richard's child, Teddy is a pretty highly rated dude now in his own right. For being a relatively obscure artist, I note that this album rates as high as #60 at Amazon currently. Plus, I'm giving her bonus points for the cover art depiction of the versatile talents of her heart.
Motown veteran Thelma Houston has A Woman's Touch. This is her first new album in 17 years, with interpretations of mostly '60s and '70s-era songs that she holds in special regard, including among the more interesting choices "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and Sting's "Brand New Day."
The #1 album at Amazon is, of course, the High School Musical 2 soundtrack. The cast all look like attractive, healthy young ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure it's very nice.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases, courtesy AMG:
Thelma Houston A Woman's Touch Shout Factory
Quiet Storm, Urban, Soul, R&B, Disco
Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City Music Hall RCA
Jam Bands, American Trad Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Nina Nastasia/Jim White You Follow Me Fat Cat
Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Ali & Gipp Kinfolk Derrty Ent/Universal Motown
Hardcore Rap
Count Basie Basie at Birdland Roulette
Swing, Big Band
Terence Blanchard A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina) Angel
Orchestral Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Post-Bop
Boot Camp Clik Casualties of War Duck Down
Underground Rap, Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap
Luke Bryan I'll Stay Me EMI
Contemporary Country
Camerata Singers Copland: Works for Chorus Koch International Classics
Modern Choral Music
Hoagy Carmichael My Stardust Melody: The Songs of Hoagy Carmichael Living Era
in Pan Alley Pop, Traditional Pop, Standards, American Popular Song, Classic Jazz
Natalie Cole Inseparable Mosaic Contemporary
Quiet Storm, Urban, Soul
Dollar Store Money Music Bloodshot
Alternative Country-Rock
Fats Domino Greatest Hits: New Orleans Capitol
New Orleans R&B, Rock & Roll, R&B, Piano Blues
Eisley Combinations Reprise
Indie Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Maynard Ferguson A Message from Birdland Roulette Jazz
Hard Bop, Bop
Bernarda Fink Berlioz: Nuits d'ete; Ravel: Sheherazade; Cinq Melodies populaires grecques Harmonia Mundi
Romantic and Modern Works for Voice & Orchestra
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