The songbird Tift Merritt's voice is so pure that it leaves you--or, at least, me--besotted. This hypnotic live set, recorded in England, is Tift sans band, and features renditions of songs from her sublime 2008 "Another Country" album (my fave: "Broken"), classics from her past and a gorgeous cover of George Harrison's "I Live for You." Don't pass it by.

My favorite album of the year, thus far. Diane Birch's debut blends bits of Carole King, Laura Nyro and the Dixie Flyers into a delectible whole. Her voice is positively wondrous, and the songs (she wrote 'em all) are guaranteed to percolate through the head and heart - especially "Valentino," "Fools," "Nothing but a Miracle," "Rise Up" and "Mirror Mirror."

This album is filled with tunes that ricochet through the mind with a gentle ferocity - the funny bravado of "Nothing to Prove" is one example. Others: "San Francisco" and "Sweetheart," both of which are hypnotic, "Where Is Bobby Gentry," which tells the story of the "Ode to Billie Joe" singer, and the mournful, self-pitying "League of Failures," which quotes Neil Young.

An atmospheric, intoxicating outing from the British artiste Bat for Lashes (Natasha Khan) - think Enya meets Kate Bush. The lead single "Daniel" is dream-like and dream-inducing, conjuring (as BBC News noted recently) Stevie Nicks at her witchy best. "Two Planets" and "Traveling Woman" are likewise hypnotic - as are Khan's vocals throughout.

"Message of Love" and "Talk of the Town" rank amongst the Pretenders' best songs - easily the equal of anything on their classic debut. As a whole, though, this album is a solid, not spectacular, affair. The main reason to pick it up, and the reason I recommend it, is the bonus disc, which features a 1981 live set that is, in a word, revelatory.

An archival Neil Young release that is, in a word, stupendous. It's a solo acoustic concert from 1968 Ann Arbor - the show that gave us "Sugar Mountain" - and features a mix of Buffalo Springfield songs with new tunes. Highlights abound, but the three I'll single out are "Expecting to Fly," "Last Trip to Tulsa" and an utterly hypnotic "Old Laughing Lady." Great stuff.

You have to hand it to CSNY. At a time when the nation (and their audience) was split over the Iraq War, they toured in support of Neil's antiwar "Living with War" album anyway. While they were met with boos at some venues, as evidenced by this set they also turned in damn fine performances. Highlights include Crosby's "What Are There Names?," Nash's "Military Madness" and Neil's LwW songs.

This is an absolutely beautiful album - Gardot's halfway between Peggy Lee and Norah Jones, if that makes sense. The title song and "Sweet Memory" are sublime.

There's more superlatives for this than space permitted me here. Thematically, Emmy explores mortality. Musically, she conjures country music's rich history while remaining firmly rooted in the present. Highlights include "Broken Man's Lament," "Gold," "How Could She Sing the Wildwood Flower," "All That You Have Is Your Soul," "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" and "Not Enough."

Here's an archival release that sounds as fresh today as it must've in 1953. Peggy Lee absolutely smolders, especially on the title tune, "Gee Baby (Ain't I Good to You)," "A Woman Left Alone with the Blues" and "You're My Thrill." Other highlights: "I've Got You Under My Skin," "When the World Was Young" and "Love Me or Leave Me."

A sublime, charming album that's reminiscent of prime Emmylou Harris. Highlights include "Broken" ("I think I will break/but I mend"), "Hopes Too High" (echoes the oft-overlooked, third Flying Burrito Bros. LP w/Rick Roberts), and especially "I Know What I'm Looking for Now," about achieving clarity of purpose. My No. 2 Album of '08.

This archival release is, for me, like going back to church. Drawn from live sets in '91 and '93, it includes such Lone Justice classics as "Shelter" & "I Found Love" alongside equally compelling songs from her first two solo albums, including "Am I the Only One," "Breathe" and "My Girlhood Among the Outlaws." For Little Diva fans (and others, in my opinion), it's a must.

In 1996 I spent $60 on a bootleg of an '88 Neil & the Bluenotes concert for two songs: the 18-minute "Sixty to Zero" (which became Freedom’s "Crime in the City") and the equally verbose, 18-minute "Ordinary People." Here, Neil finally lets loose w/the latter (a must hear), plus "Box Car" from '89 - and others, I suspect, that didn't have a proper home. In short: a ramshackle set that grows on you.

I was lucky enough to see Rouse perform most of these songs in Philly the night before the CD's release. It was a great set - and this is a great album. Echoes the Beach Boys, Paul McCartney and Paul Weller - he's got a way w/melodies and his lyrics are at turns wry, whimsical and from the heart. Highlights: "Hollywood Bass Player," "Nice to Fit In," "London Bridges" and "Snowy."

After watching the American Masters documentary on Les Paul, I came away wanting to learn (and hear) more, so ordered myself this one-CD collection. It has most of his hits with Mary Ford (and what a voice she has!), plus the guitar-crazed "Lover." My faves: "How High the Moon," "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" and "Vaya con Dios (May God Be with You)."

I remember watching this when it was first broadcast on HBO in the early '80s. I was 16, and it was my introduction to S&G. I bought their Greatest Hits LP shortly thereafter (an exc. collection, by the way), but never picked up this set. My mistake. It's positively magical. Highlights: "America," "Late in the Evening," "Bridge over Troubled Water, "Old Friends" & "The Sound of Silence."

The alt.country band Frank Smith offers superb backup on this six-song EP, which features banjo, pedal steel, feedback, Juliana's soul-consuming vocals and (as always) her whimsical, wry lyrics. My faves: "364," "Don't Wanna Be the One," "A Beer and a Shot," "If Only We Were Dogs," "Kitten" and "On Your Mind," a wistful song about a love lost but not forgotten.

A fun collection that doesn't want to leave the CD player. These modern-day Andrews Sisters are at their best covering Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights," Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and Blondie's "Heart of Glass." Other highlights: "Mr. Sandman," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (from Company C)," "Sway" and the drop-dead gorgeous "In the Mood."

If, at times, it seems like I deal in hyperbole ... well, this album surpasses any superlatives even I could come up with. Simply put, it's filled with strong songs and even stronger performances. My faves: "Trapeze" (w/Emmylou on backing vocals), "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" and the mesmerizing "I Don't Ever Give Up." My No. 2 album for '07.

A crystal-clear recording of Neil at his acoustic/folkie best, circa 1971. Features a fair number of songs that were new to the audience at the time - and, something tells me, will still be new to some listeners now. Either/or, whether you're a longtime fan or just getting into Neil, this a must.