December 30, 2004

Various Artists, South Pacific Islands (Putumayo World Music): Here's a disc filled with perfect escapist music to beat the winter blahs. The artists come from warm, exotic locales such as Samoa, New Zealand, Easter Island and Papua New Guinea. The sounds are folk-based and rhythmic with a laid-back, breezy feel. The best tracks come from Te Vaka (which means canoe), a band from New Zealand that approximates Paul Simon Graceland-era crossed with Jimmy Buffett.

Lee Ann Womack, "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" (MCA Nashville): Simply put, Ms. Womack returns to her country roots on this, the first single from her upcoming CD, There's More Where That Came From, in stores Feb. 8. The song presents a classic country predicament – the need for love, no matter how wrong or clandestine. Jack Ingram co-stars in the tune's video clip.

Chic, Chic-Ism (Warner Bros.): At the time (we're talking 1992) Chic's return to recording after eight long years was all but ignored. That was a mistake, because the CD still holds up today. It's vintage Chic, the scratchy, funky guitars, the dual female vocals, the sleek, dance-floor-ready grooves and the beat-heavy percussions. The disc's no longer available in the U.S. (although it can be purchased as an import), which goes to show you how discarded the group became stateside.

Mario Tarradell

Look at a blues legend

Blues fans with DVD players can finally peek inside the Dallas building at 508 Park Ave. where Robert Johnson probably recorded "Love in Vain" and 12 other blues classics. The abandoned Art Deco structure near City Hall plays a big role in Eric Clapton's new DVD, Sessions for Robert J.

"The fact that we went there was the best thing we could do to get in touch with him," Mr. Clapton says on the disc, describing his pilgrimage to the site during the Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Sessions captures Mr. Clapton and Dallas native Doyle Bramhall II at 508 Park, tearing through "Vain," "Hellhound on My Trail" and other tunes Mr. Johnson most likely recorded there in 1937, when the building housed Brunswick/Vocalion Records.

It's a moving scene, with "Slowhand" trying to summon the spirit of his idol as daylight slowly disappears from the bare room. But it's not the only Dallas site in Sessions for Robert J : Mr. Clapton and his band are also shown jamming in the more sterile surroundings of The Studios at Las Colinas.

Thor Christensen

Could Leon Phelps be the Ghost of Christmas Future?

Some bars are splashing The Ladies' Man's signature Courvoisier into traditional holiday eggnog, hoping to mix a trend among the holiday hip-hop crowd. Here's a recipe for two from Flat Iron bar in New York:

Cog Nog: 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 oz Courvoisier VSOP or XO cognac, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup milk and 2 cinnamon sticks

All ingredients should be kept cold in a refrigerator in advance. Beat the eggs and sugar until thick. Add vanilla and nutmeg and continue to beat. Add Courvoisier, cream and milk and stir. Chill before serving. Dust with nutmeg and garnish with cinnamon stick.

Jamie Gumbrecht

Coming Tuesday

Marlene Dietrich, Love Songs (Columbia) – Compilation of mood music from the late, exotic singer-actress.

Fats Domino, Sweet Patootie: Complete Reprise Recordings (Rhino Handmade) – New Orleans R&B trailblazer's work for Reprise Records gets the compilation treatment.

Merle Haggard, Love Songs (Epic) – Collection of country loving tracks from one of the genre's most influential artists.

John Legend, Get Lifted (Columbia) – Debut from Ohio-born neo-soul crooner with the bluesy voice. Friend Kanye West produced the disc's first single, "Used to Love U."

Little Richard, King of Rock & Roll: Complete Reprise Recordings (Rhino Handmade) – Box set chronicling the legendary artist's tenure with Reprise Records.

Marty Robbins, Love Songs (Columbia) – Romantic cuts from the late country star with the penchant for Old West traditions.

Tito Rojas, Tradicional (Musical Productions) – Latest from the tropical Latin veteran.

Mario Tarradell