Elton John and Leon Russell: ‘The Union’ (Decca)
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Elton John put together the sessions that became “The Union” to pay
tribute to his hero/greatest influence, Leon Russell. In teaming up
with Russell, he did more than that.

Old 97’s: “The Grand Theatre, Volume One” (New West)
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Like perpetually youthful frontman Rhett Miller’s shaggy haircut, Old 97’s have a deceptively reckless, raggedy sound that works precisely because it’s not slicked up to …

Jamey Johnson: “The Guitar Song “
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Jamey Johnson’s 2008 disc, “That Lonesome Song,” was the country record of that year, critically acclaimed and a commercial success. He’s outdone himself with “The Guitar Song,” a beautifully …

Maroon 5: “Hands All Over” (A&M/Octone)
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Making music that’s commercial often is seen as one of the deadly sins of rock and roll. But on “Hands All Over,” Maroon 5 proves that a band …