Rolling Stones: Forty Licks
Virgin 13378

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You don’t need much of an excuse to buy a two-disc Rolling Stones greatest-hits release. Their songs are timeless, classics by most standards, and any which way you arrange them the result is always great. Forty Licks contains 36 of their best-known hits -- too numerous even to begin mentioning, but know that it starts in the early ‘60s and brings you to today. There are four new tracks, too. Three of the four new songs -- "Don’t Stop," "Keys to Your Love," and "Stealing My Heart" -- prove that although the band has grown impressively tight over the years, they’re still not as good as they used to be. But to be fair, this new material has a tough act to follow. Everything else is handpicked from a wide assortment of albums and is either considered to be classic, or at least darn good. The surprise among the new material, though, is the sparse "Losing My Touch" -- the final track on the second disc. It’s a knockout, sung by Keith Richards, and reminiscent of the earlier, edgier, and simpler Stones sound. So, although you may not need an excuse to buy this disc, this track alone does give you a very good reason to.

Keely Smith: Keely Swings Basie-Style . . . With Strings
Concord Jazz 2138

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Keely Smith. Didn’t she make a big splash back in the '50s and '60s, singing with her husband, Louis Prima? Surely, she can’t be performing any more! But no, wait, it is the one and the same Keely Smith, now in her early 70s and sounding every bit like a woman of only 35 or 40! Like Lena Horne, Keely Smith is frozen in time and still one heck of a potent performer. She confidently swings sassy tunes like "April in Paris," "Love for Sale," and "Cherokee," then turns right around and breaks your heart with ballads like "You Go to My Head" or "One for My Baby." She’s backed by a big band plus strings, and recorded in larger-than-life sound that fits like a glove. Keely Smith not only still has it; she has it in abundance. Prepare to be amazed.

Eric Himy: Plays Ravel
Ivory 72009

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Imagine my delight to receive this sensational disc. Eric Himy and I performed together when he was a student and I was conductor of a community orchestra in Washington, DC. The piece was the Liszt Totentanz, the focal point of a concert of Halloween music. Except for an unruly inner-city audience, it was a thrilling experience and I made note to myself that Himy would go far. But I had not heard anything for years. Then came this disc, possibly the most scintillating and sensuous Ravel recital I have ever heard. There is an uncanny balance between red-hot virtuosity and lyricism, with a touch of icy aloofness when needed. All aspects of Himy’s playing are well served by clear recording. If you think piano recitals are not your cup of tea, try this one. It might well change your mind.

Elton John: Greatest Hits 1970-2002
Island B00006RAKP

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Elton John’s progression from his earliest days to the present is clearly mapped out on this three-disc set. The first disc can be considered his best work, featuring classic tunes like "Your Song," "Levon," "Tiny Dancer," "Daniel," and numerous others. This was John’s golden age; he and Bernie Taupin penned nearly perfect, timeless pop gems that are still loved by generations. The second disc is not nearly as good, opening with "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart" and ending with "This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore." This more or less represents his hit-and-miss songwriting from 1976 to now. Although it’s rare to see such a definitive timeline marking a career, to my ears none of the songs he has written in recent years can match his early work. But it’s tough to be too hard on Elton John, since for good reason he’s one of the most celebrated pop artists of the last three decades. There’s a third, bonus disc included containing four more tracks. Sound quality of this remastered release is impressive, with John’s voice standing out clearly so that one can hear nuances quite easily. Packed in an intricate foldout case and priced fairly, this greatest-hits compilation is a wonderful addition for any fan’s collection.

Soundtrack: Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
Sony Classical 89932

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Nothing could have been done to save Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones. Undernourished writing and even weaker acting crippled much of the film’s dramatic flow. What saved it from being a complete disaster was a kick-butt Yoda and another strong score from composer John Williams. There are moments of pure brilliance on the soundtrack and many instances where themes from previous Star Wars films, like The Empire Strikes Back, bond the new with the old. Although the romance between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala fizzles, Williams' melodic love theme builds passionately. Where the film’s action seems lifeless, Williams combines brass, violins, and a little bit of rock guitar at an allegro-molto tempo to inject desperate energy. Like all Williams’ scores this one is pristinely recorded and will stay in my collection long after the mediocre film hits the discount rack.