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This blogger, Richard Gehr, is not an employee of AARP. The opinions expressed in the blog are not necessarily the opinions of AARP and AARP assumes no liability for the content posted by Mr. Gehr or any other participant

Richard Gehr | October 16, 2007

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Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, "Best of the 'Flatt & Scruggs' TV Show, Volumes 3 and 4" (Shanachie DVDs)
Performing on a set resembling a cracker-barrel country store, Flatt & Scruggs sing country classics and turn-of-the-century gospel, entertain guests such as seven-year-old mandolin prodigy Ricky Skaggs, and play straightmen to their band's corny comedy on four shows (two per volume) from 1961 and '62. Sponsor Martha White's live commercials for self-rising flour are no less entertaining.

Aretha Franklin, "Rare and Unreleased Recordings From the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul" (Atlantic/Rhino)
There's hardly a less-than-impressive track on this double-CD set of demos and outtakes from Aretha Franklin's fertile late-'60s stint at Atlantic Records. Label co-founder Jerry Wexler serves as guide for this tour through the two-year creative whirlwind during which Aretha cut four studio albums and a live disc. The combination of Franklin's powerful gospel-trained voice, the top-notch material, and finely crafted arrangements makes for an unbeatable journey into soul music's golden era.

Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Exodus (30th Anniversary Edition)" (Island/Tuff Gong/Universal); "Exodus—Live at the Rainbow (30th Anniversary Edition)" (Universal Music Group DVD)
Reggae star Bob Marley's first international hit album was recorded while he resided in London in self-imposed exile after being shot in Jamaica in 1976. Exodus brilliantly balances the romantic beauty of "One Love" and "Three Little Birds" with the political condemnation and consciousness-raising fervor of "Guiltiness," "Exodus," and "The Heathen." The London Rainbow concert is a perfect time capsule of an icon and band captured at the height of their career.

Umphrey's McGee, "Live at the Murat" (SCI Fidelity)
This Midwestern sextet is probably the most consistently entertaining and innovative improvisational rock band in the country, at least onstage. Sparked by Miles Davis, the Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, and Chet Atkins, among numerous other influences, Umphrey's members are gifted instrumentalists and consummate listeners who blend progressive-rock smarts with arena-rock muscle, then play the results with an emotional lilt and refreshing sense of humor.

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