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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 | November 27, 2007

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Donald Fagen "Nightfly Trilogy" (Reprise)
Donald Fagen, the adenoidal vocalist and keyboard-playing half of radio-pop sophisticates Steely Dan, has quietly accrued a trio of terrific solo albums now being released collectively. Soul meets science fiction on 1982's "Nightfly," 1993's futuristic "Kamakiriad," and last year's utterly delightful "Morph the Cat." Each volume is delivered in both CD and surround-sound DVD formats, with bonus interviews and videos, and a fourth CD contains 10 extra tracks.

Kitka, "The Rusalka Cycle: Songs Between Two Worlds" (Diaphonica)
The nine-woman Bay Area vocal ensemble Kitka's new album is inspired by the unsettled spirits known to Slavic folklore as Rusalki, the souls of women whose unjust deaths are lamented annually in the Ukraine. Assisted by Ukrainian singer Mariana Sadovska, Kitka's moving theatrical song cycle strongly resembles Bulgarian folk music in its close, keening a cappella harmonies. This music, however, has taken on additional weight from the Chernobyl disaster, which has added environmental import to Rusalka rituals.

Youssou N'Dour, "Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take)" (Nonesuch)
Listening to Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour's band rip through their electrifying versions of West African tribal sounds makes most Western pop sound rhythmically anemic in comparison. Then there's Youssou's voice, a magnificent sort of virtuosic chirping that dips, dodges, and swerves in between his band's thrilling syncopations. This is dance music as high art.

Kenny Vance and the Planotones, "Countdown to Love" (Collectables)
Who knew that serious doo-wop was alive and well in the suburbs of Long Island? Jay and the Americans founding member Kenny Vance stays true to the style's roots without yielding to corny nostalgia on an album that mixes mostly unplugged doo-wop standards, such as "You Cheated" and "Girl in My Dreams," with innovative doo-wop versions of rock ("Louie Louie") and pop ("Anyone Who Had a Heart") classics, not to mention his wonderful new title track.

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