Known for putting her money where her mouth is, versatile Tony Award-winning diva Cyndi Lauper is an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community. But it was her singing voice and distinctive fashion sense that initially caught our eye. After forays into pop, dance music, standards and the blues, Lauper lends her remarkable vocal range to a set of country numbers on Detour (Sire). Joined by country legends Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, Lauper leaves her "unusual" mark on mid-20th century country classics, including Wanda Jackson's "Funnel of Love," Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight" and "I Fall to Pieces." She knows when to use country's trademark catch-in-the-throat on heartbreakers "Misty Blue" and "Begging to You." Duets with a yodeling Jewel ("I Want To Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart") and Alison Krauss ("Hard Candy Christmas") are also standouts.
Has Bob Dylan run out of his own things to say? Fallen Angels (Columbia), Dylan's second album of covers of songs associated with Frank Sinatra, steps up the torchy twang of its 2015 predecessor. Dylan uncovers the country possibilities of standards by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer ("Come Rain or Come Shine," "That Old Black Magic"), Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael ("Skylark"), Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn ("All the Way"), Van Heusen and Johnny Burke ("Polka Dots and Moonbeams"), Isham Jones and Gus Kahn ("It Had To Be You") and others. Depending on how you feel about Dylan as an interpreter of other people's songs (read: singer), Fallen Angels could be heaven or hell.
Sturgill Simpson's breathtaking rendition of Nirvana's "In Bloom" is one of many reasons to get his fantastic third album A Sailor's Guide to Earth (Atlantic). A musical letter to his newborn son, the nine songs are delivered in a retro style that incorporates soul alongside the Southern comfort, as on the magnificent opener "Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)." Prepare to be swept away by the gorgeous "Breakers Road" and shaken up by "Brace for Impact (Live a Little)."
In the early days of his stand-up comedy career, Steve Martin's material could best be described as unconventional. But the banjo he played hinted at a more traditional side to his talents. Through the 21st century, Martin has recorded and released well-received bluegrass albums, including collaborations with Edie Brickell, and earned Grammy Awards. Martin and Brickell have taken their collaboration to a new level with the Tony Award-nominated musical Bright Star. Based on a story by Martin and Brickell, Bright Star (Ghostlight), with music and book by Martin, music and lyrics by Brickell, takes place in the early 1920s. It involves literary ambition and babies born out of wedlock, presented in a vintage country-music setting.
Stephanie Rice, Colonial Blue's out lead vocalist, has a solid grasp of the concept of from-a-whisper to-a-scream on songs "Break You Bones" and "My Treason" from the band's debut album Dear Misery (colonialblueband.com). The daughter of a preacher in a small town, Rice has a coming out story involving being tossed out of the house and fending for herself. Music was Rice's refuge, and these 10 songs prove that was a good thing.
If you ever wondered what Louisiana glam rock might sound like, listen to Dolls of Highland (Sub Pop), the irresistible debut album by Kyle Craft. Imagine Randy Newman channeling David Johansen via Van Dyke Parks on "Eye of a Hurricane," "Lady of the Ark" and "Three Candles."
Country music is filled with legacy artists. Amy Helm, daughter of The Band's Levon Helm, and Trixie Whitley, daughter of Chris Whitley, are two of latest examples of what can come from good genes. Helm, who helmed her own band Ollabelle, makes her solo debut with the stormy Didn't It Rain (E One). Her voice sure to appeal to fans of Shelby Lynne, Helm performs covers of "Gentling Me" (co-written by lesbian singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier and Beth Nielsen Chapman) and Sam Cooke's "Good News." Whitley does her late father proud on Porta Bohemica (Unday). She shares his musical tastes ("Faint Mystery") while channeling Annie Lennox ("Soft Spoken Words").
The Lumineers trio returns with Cleopatra (Dualtone), its second full-length disc. Four years can be a long time between albums, but the Lumineers' eponymous debut took a while to catch on. Once it did, the band became popular; maybe too popular, because the luminescence has been dimmed in favor of more serious tunes. On "Ophelia" there's the barest hint of the trademark stomp/clap that established them.
On Strange Country (New West) by Kacy & Clayton, you can hear influences ranging from Crosby, Stills & Nash to Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny. Pay close attention to the lyrics to "If You Ask Me How I'm Keeping," for an example of just how strange country can get.