The Day of the Dead, known as el Día de Muertos or el Día de los Muertos in Spanish is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included. It is widely observed in Mexico, where it largely developed, but it is also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died.
This month's music recommendations include tribute albums that are dedicated to a deceased person/s and their enduring legacy.
Acclaimed acoustic blues artist Rory Block creates an album that pays homage to one of her mentors, hill country blues guitarist Mississippi Fred McDowell.
With Best Troubador, Will Oldham (aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) pays homage to a long-time and forever hero, the late Merle Haggard. A singer who, some 25 years previously, first performed in public by playing a Merle Haggard song, Oldham has often cited Merle's work in performance, on records and in conversation with anyone who was around. Best Troubador flips through his song book, landing on pages unmoored from their time and located anew. Moving from 1978 to 1969 to 2003 to 1981 allows the album to circle Haggard's music in a simulation of thought and memory, slipping around from spot to spot as if they were discrete impressions, unknown but knowable yet.
Indie rock band Built to Spill pays tribute to the works of outsider musician Daniel Johnston. The album was conceived after the band completed touring with Johnston during his final two concerts in November 2017. It largely covers songs that Johnston originally recorded in the 1990s.
Amor Eterno is a song written by Mexican singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel after his mother's death. Here it is famously covered by Spanish-born singer Rocío Dúrcal. It is perhaps the best-known song by this singer and one of the most recognized in Latin American music of the last century. In 2024, "Amor Eterno" was selected for preservation in the United States Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
On August 20, 2020, the world lost an amazing light with the passing of Justin Townes Earle. He was a vibrant songwriter who could play the blues, country, and rock n' roll all in the same song. In his short career, Justin released eight albums and one EP that all manage to sound classic and yet inventive. Justin's father, Steve Earle, pays tribute to his son by recording an album of songs written by Justin. The album consists of ten Justin Townes Earle songs as well as one song written by Mr. Earle. It is a loving tribute to a loved son and beautiful songsmith who left this earth too early.
The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw is one of the top big bands in Europe. They are the official jazz orchestra of the Royal Concertgebouw concert hall in Amsterdam. Here they pay tribute to renowned American singer, songwriter, and pianist, Ray Charles. Recorded live in February 2005 at the movie theaters Pathé Tuschinsk and Pathé Schouwburgplein in the Netherlands.
Considered a virtuoso and one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Ocsar Peterson released more than 200 recordings in his lifetime and won eight Grammy Awards. On this album, American orchestral conductor and pianist Andrew Litton plays transcriptions of recordings by Peterson.
Carey Bell Harrington was an American blues musician who played harmonica in the Chicago blues style. On this tribute album his children Lurrie, Steve, Tyson, and James Bell join forces as The Bell Dynasty. With special guests Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Branch.
We're New Again: A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven is a unique reinterpretation of legendary US musician, poet, and author Gil Scott-Heron by acclaimed US jazz musician Makaya McCraven. Released in 2020, exactly a decade after the release of Scott-Heron’s thirteenth, and last, studio album I’m New Here. McCraven is described by the New York Times as a "Chicago-based drummer, producer and beat maker, (who) has quietly become one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality."
Cuban-American alto saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and bandleader Paquito D'Rivera pays tribute to his mother on this album with Brazilian group Trio Corrente.
Son Volt's latest record revisits the music of legendary Texas troubadour Doug Sahm. But it's much more than fond remembrance and colorful tribute. It is a summoning and a celebration of a songwriter and performer whose work forged country, Tex-Mex, rock, rhythm and blues, folk, and psychedelia into an utterly unique American sound.
Soweto Gospel Choir's heartfelt tribute to international hero Nelson Mandela in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The album features iconic struggle songs associated with the liberation movement in South Africa, including compositions by Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte, Letta Mbulu and Mbogeni Ngema, creator of the hit musical Sarafina.
Producer Larry Klein pays tribute to his dear friend Leonard Cohen with an album that presents stunning new renditions of the legendary singer-songwriter's compositions performed by an extraordinary line-up of vocalists: Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Gregory Porter, Sarah McLachlan, James Taylor, Iggy Pop, and Mavis Staples. The album's twelve tracks offer a broad range of Cohen's songs drawn from his 1967 debut Songs of Leonard Cohen through his final album, You Want It Darker, released just days before his death in 2016. The set covers some of his best-known classics ("Hallelujah," "Suzanne") and less familiar deep cuts.
Bowie, David (Various Artists)
A diverse compendium of specially commissioned cover versions of rarities and classics in tribute to David Bowie. Featuring an array of artists such as Jeff Parker, We Are KING, Meshell Ndegeocello, Helado Negro, Khruangbin, Matthew Tavares, Nia and more, this album seeks to champion Bowie's lesser-known connection to soul, R&B, jazz, funk, and gospel. The prominent jazz influences throughout Bowie's final album, Blackstar, were a key inspiration for curating this collection of reimagined Bowie songs with these artists. The resulting album is an eclectic tribute featuring a group of artists who not only fit together creatively, but who, like Bowie, straddle different worlds musically, with soul and jazz at their core.
A loving musical tribute to American singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, arranger, and civil rights activist, Nina Simone. Nina Revisited was released in conjunction with the award winning documentary, What Happened, Miss Simone? Featuring several covers by Lauryn Hill and others by Jazmine Sullivan, Grace, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Common, Alice Smith, and Nina’s own daughter, Lisa Simone.
Leon Russell was one of the most esteemed studio session men in rock history, having appeared on an eye-popping number of records by legends such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Bobby Darin, Phil Spector, Frank Sinatra, the Byrds, and the Beach Boys. Russell's solo work benefited from his amazing collaborators, as the likes of George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, various Rolling Stones, and others helped Russell put the finishing touches on his albums through the years. The 'master of space & time,' Russell blended Southern soul, gospel, country, rock, and piano-man singer/songwriter stylings. A Song For Leon celebrates Leon's life and career, consisting of iconic acts such as Pixies, Orville Peck, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, U.S. Girls featuring Bootsy Collins, and other incredible artists.
Connie Converse was a remarkable composer who worked in the 1950s and 1960s. This exciting compilation collects fifteen of her most unique and soulful songs performed by an all-star group of contemporary singer/songwriters.
Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Lucinda Williams celebrates the music of American rock musician Tom Petty on this album, the first in a series of albums called Lu's Jukebox. All songs on the album were written or co-written by Petty, except for “Stolen Moments” by Lucinda Williams, which she wrote as a tribute to the late musician.