Billboard CD reviews: Chesney, Williams

ARTIST: KENNY CHESNEY

ALBUM: LUCKY OLD SUN

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Kenny Chesney does his heroes George Strait and Jimmy Buffett proud on his latest set, which has a free-and-easy feel befitting its island inspiration. Like Strait, Chesney has mastered a laid-back vocal delivery that flows easily from song to song. And like Buffett, the East Tennessee native has learned to paint pictures that transport the listener to a more carefree place. There's plenty of guest appearances -- Willie Nelson on "That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)," Dave Matthews on "I'm Alive," Mac McAnally on his own "Down the Road" and the Wailers on current No. 1 single "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven." But Chesney, who wrote or co-wrote five of the set's 11 cuts, does just fine on his own with songs like "The Life," where he convincingly tells a tale of what's ultimately important.

ARTIST: LUCINDA WILLIAMS

ALBUM: LITTLE HONEY (Lost Highway Records)

Given her history of misbegotten record deals, drugs, chin-out temperament and stormy romances, Lucinda Williams has a better claim than most to sing AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)" -- which she does here in a soulful, rootsy and even more poignant reimagining. Following 2007's downcast "West," "Real Love" kicks things off with gritty guitars and a nod to her current romantic happiness (fiance Tom Overby co-produced the album) and "Honey Bee" is a buoyant rocker. But there's plenty of cloudy and ambivalent terrain to be found on such tracks as "If Wishes Were Horses," "Knowing," the achingly mournful "Rarity" and the cautionary "Little Rock Star." Williams and Elvis Costello get their twang on for the spirited "Jailhouse Tears," and a combination of new elements (horns) and powerhouse playing by her touring band Buick 6 bolster the set's emotional heft.

ARTIST: TAJ MAHAL

ALBUM: MAESTRO (Heads Up Records)

Taj Mahal's "Maestro" arrives 40 years after his self-titled debut and decades of mighty fine music. Distinguished guests have contributed to this special record, including Los Lobos, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Ziggy Marley's band and Mahal's own Phantom Blues Band. Deva Mahal sings a number with her dad on "Never Let You Go," backed by Los Lobos. "Maestro" is essentially 11 back-to-back highlights: Cue up "Zanzibar," a song Mahal co-wrote with Angelique Kidjo, who also sings on the tune, while legendary Malian artist Toumani Diabate plays kora. Check out Mahal on the banjo with his Phantom crew, knocking down some sweet blues on "Slow Drag," and make a note to immerse yourself in the deliciously sinful groove of "Strong Man Holler."

ARTIST: BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB

ALBUM: BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB AT CARNEGIE HALL (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records)

This bravura concert double CD is, in fact, only the second Buena Vista Social Club album featuring the original members. This Carnegie Hall show took place July 1, 1998, before a wildly enthusiastic audience, and 10 years later it's still easy to hear why the crowd was crazy for the music. The recording is immaculate, the performance breathtaking. Disc one opens with "Chan Chan," a memorable BVSC tune and an ideal intro number that sets the festive mood. Throughout the discs we hear the incredible voice of Ibrahim Ferrer, the fluent guitar of Compay Segundo and the gorgeous piano of Ruben Gonzalez, all of whom have since died. Together with Cachaito Lopez, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa and a stellar crew of second-line players, these legends of Cuban music brought some Latin heat to a legendary venue.

ARTIST: KEANE

ALBUM: PERFECT SYMMETRY (Interscope Records)

Ever the piano-rock bridesmaid to Coldplay, Keane opened its last album, "Under the Iron Sea" (2006), with dour strings, military funeral snare hits and weepy arpeggios. But "Perfect Symmetry" bursts out of the gate with a suite of giddy, '80s-inflected Brit pop songs that, surprisingly, suit the band well. "Spiralling" recalls Keane's radio hit "Is It Any Wonder?" with a healthy injection of synth; "Better Than This" is a dead ringer for a Smiths song, liberally using hand claps, singer Tom Chaplin's falsetto and a singing saw, of all things. When the band finally does return to familiar territory (soaring, ebony-and-ivory drama), it spares nothing.

ARTIST: MICHELLE WILLIAMS