Top Picks: Jane Eyre, the best of Bach, a post-superpower America
The newest update of Jane Eyre, a master pianist plays Bach, a dark 'what if' novel looks at a dystopian future United States, and more recommendations.
'Jane Eyre' on DVD
Focus Features
Royales tribute
Steve Cropper – Blues Brother, master guitar player, and co-writer of hits like "Knock on Wood" and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" – assembled a dream band to record Dedicated: A Salute to the 5 Royales, an early 1950s ensemble that helped kick-start rock 'n' roll. You'll be rockin' out, too, as guest-stars B.B. King, Steve Winwood, Delbert McClinton, Bettye LaVette, and Lucinda Williams take on familiar Royales' chestnuts such as "Dedicated to the One I Love." If you miss that down-home soul cookin', this CD is a banquet.
Newport Playback
NPR is featuring most of the just-completed 2011 Newport Folk Festival performances on its website – npr.org/series/newport-folk-festival/. Great-sounding clips from Americana darlings Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, gorgeous harmonies from The Civil Wars, Canadian duo Tegan and Sara, the ageless soul singer Mavis Staples, and throwback newcomers Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three prove that folk is, indeed, alive and well.
Heartache and heartbreak
