This week, we recommend Rilo Kiley, Cheap Trick, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Muse, Sophie Tucker, and Mary J. Blige.
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Rilo Kiley
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Released in August 2007, this band's got melodies, hooks and grooves. Front woman Jenny Lewis also has a solo project Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. The video's intro (parental discretion advised) begins with a bittersweet portrayal of real porn stars discussing their lives. Buy "The Moneymaker."

Buy: iTunes
Genre: Alt Rock
Artist: Rilo Kiley
Song: The Moneymaker
Album: Under the Blacklight
Producer: Jason Lader
Video: YouTube Video

Cheap Trick
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Producer Jack Douglas discovered these guys doing a show in a Wisconsin bowling alley. With engineer Jay Messina, they recorded and mixed 19 songs in three weeks at the Record Plant Studios in NYC. This was Cheap Trick's debut album released in 1977. Get "Taxman, Mr. Thief" before April 15th.

Buy: iTunes
Genre: Rock
Artist: Cheap Trick
Song: Taxman, Mr. Thief
Album: Cheap Trick
Producer: Jack Douglas

Charlotte Gainsbourg
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Charlotte Gainsbourg is a wonderful actress/singer and the daughter of singer/designer Jane Birkin (of Hermes Birkin bag fame) and the late Serge Gainsbourg. Her whispering vocals are reason enough to own this recording. Download "The Songs That We Sing."

Buy: iTunes
Genre: Pop
Artist: Charlotte Gainsbourg
Song: The Songs That We Sing
Album: 5:55
Video: YouTube Video

Muse
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Muse is a rock trio founded in 1992 from the port town of Teignmouth in Devon, England. The 2006 release Black Holes and Revelations includes "Soldier's Poem," a track dipped in harmonies influenced by Nilsson, Queen and The Beach Boys. It's wonderful to hear classic influences in new artists done so well. Get "Soldier's Poem."

Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: Rock
Artist: Muse
Song: Soldier's Poem
Album: Black Holes and Revelations
Producer: Rich Costey
Video: YouTube Video

Sophie Tucker
2008-01-11-st.jpg Sophie Tucker was a vaudeville singer/comedian born in Russia in January 1884. When she was an infant, her father moved the family from Russia to Hartford, Connecticut. There, her father opened a kosher diner that attracted many show biz types, clearly influencing her career choice in the entertainment business.

After achieving success, she devoted her money and time to so many charities, according to the Jewish Women's Archive. She set up The Sophie Tucker Foundation, contributed to the Jewish Theatrical Guild, the Negro Actors Guild, the Catholic Actors Guild, the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, the Motion Picture Relief Fund, synagogues, hospitals, Israel Bonds and more. Ecologically inclined, she sponsored the Sophie Tucker Forest near the Beit Shemesh Amphitheater and raised money for other forest preservations. Sophie Tucker was tireless in her support of those in need. Download "Sophie Tucker For President."

Buy: Artist Direct
Genre: Classic Comedy
Artist: Sophie Tucker
Song: Sophie Tucker for President
Album: The Golden Jubilee Album
Reference: Jewish Women's Archive

Mary J. Blige
2008-01-11-mjb.jpg A very shy Mary J. Blige took the stage at a MusiCares benefit in tribute to Elton John. Mary J., primarily known at the time for being a hip-hop artist, surprised Elton and the audience with an incredible performance of his song "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues." Beyond the standing ovation, Elton invited her to perform with him at his One Night Only concert at Madison Square Garden. This performance revealed to the world her incredible vocal skills and launched a career of versatility and soul. Download "Till The Morning."

Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: R&B
Artist: Mary J. Blige
Song: Till The Morning
Album: Growing Pains
Producer: Mary J. Blige

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