MUSIC: 100 Miles From Memphis

Its not new for artists to venture away from their genres and test the waters in another's pond. Sheryl Crow has had many mutations in her career and explored everything from pop to rock to folk, which makes this morphing to blues less extraordinary. Regardless, it is a genre shift that suits her. Actually, it is a genre that sounds like she was flavoring all her previous works with all along.

Playing homage to the South's other big music draw - other than country and southern rock - Crow works her way through a series of soul-inspired tunes on her newest record, 100 Miles From Memphis. Stand-outs include the titular song and the emotional "Sideways". The song "Sign Your Name", featuring backing vocals by Tennessee-native Justin Timberlake, also makes a nice attempt to sound authentically "Memphis." A bonus track recording of the Jackson 5 song "I Want You Back", in tribute to Michael Jackson himself, will also have you tapping your toes, although the version is nearly identical to the original.

If only other artists could make the change to other genres of music this seamlessly.

Sergio del Limonar

MUSIC: Big City Blues

Keith Gattis has been in the country music business for awhile now. His first self-titled album debuted in 1996 and scored the bluesy singer-songwriter a spot on the country music charts. His second album, Big City Blues, released in 2005, is a inspiring second effort overflowing with toe-tapping, gritty, soulful country music at its best. Perfectly fusing Nashville's Broadway with its Printer's Alley a couple of blocks away, his sophomore effort will not disappoint.

Some of the standout tracks include the titular track, "Big City Blues", and smooth as whisky ballad "The Bottom". My personal favorite, however, is the instrumentally sparse and haunting "Somebody Told Me" in which Gattis speaks to a soon-to-be ex-lover, imploring her with "somebody told me you're sick of your man."

Fellow Nashville artist Miranda Lambert has said she used Gattis as inspiration while recording her hit album, Revolution. It's obviously paying off for Lambert, so why not check out an under-appreciated talent for yourself!

Sergio del Limónar

MUSIC: Memphis Blues

Children of the 80's remember Cyndi Lauper as the wild child proclaiming that "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", reminded of us of our "True Colors", and infected our eardrums with ballads like "Time After Time." For the current reality-television generation, Lauper is the nut with the funny voice charming Donald Trump on Celebrity Apprentice. And somewhere in between she became the ending to a lot of sentences that began with "say, whatever happened to?"

Apparently, Lauper got the blues. Turns out, though, that it's not a bad thing! Her new album, Memphis Blues, which debuted at the end of June is a slight detour from what she has been known for, yet works well with her mature timbre. Recorded appropriately enough in Memphis and featuring both traditional and contemporary blues songs, the album is a rocking and groove-filled ride from the first guitar chord to the last saxophone wail. Check out her performance on Regis & Kelly singing her single"How Blue Can You Get".

Some stand outs include the Muddy Waters traditional "Rollin' and Tumbin'", featuring here soul singer, Ann Peebles, and the slow but steady heat of "Romancing In The Dark." As bizarre as it may sound, this album works; Lauper voice is strong and believable, which is probably why so many blues artists - including Jonny Lang, B.B. King, and Allen Toussaint - join her in this musical journey. Hop on, you'll enjoy the ride!

Sergio del Limónar