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The three Holmes Brothers have been playing music since 1979, a mix of gospel and blues — particularly electric blues. Their new CD, Simple Truths, features both originals and songs by Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and Bob Marley. Grammy-winning producer Craig Street, who has worked with Norah Jones and Cassandra Wilson, produced the record. Meredith Ochs has a review.

Music critic Michelle Mercer reflects on the music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. For Mercer, the jazz tunes are sound of the holidays, and they reflect some of the season's less-cheerful sentiments.

The posthumous album from Joe Strummer, a leader of The Clash, reflects many elements of his career, with a mix of rock and reggae influences. Strummer died last December at age 50, and members of his final band, the Mescaleros, helped to finish Streetcore. Chris Nickson has a review.

In the months leading up to his death in September, country music legend Johnny Cash recorded dozens of songs, wrote new ones and completed the liner notes for a CD box set called Unearthed. It includes the best of the singer's work from the past 10 years, plus previously unreleased material. NPR's Bob Edwards discusses the recordings with Cash's producer, Rick Rubin.

NPR's Susan Stamberg continues her series on the meaning of "home" with the story of "Over the Rainbow," from the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz. The song that became Judy Garland's signature tune tells of longing to escape home for a more exciting place. Of course, as anyone who's watched the movie knows, Garland's Dorothy realizes there's no place like home. Hear different versions of the song.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new collection, Nat King Cole: The Classic Singles

After 25 years of touring in the United States, Sting is preparing to hit the stage once again. NPR's Michele Norris talks with the British musician about his new album, Sacred Love, being middle aged and writing about love in the post-Sept. 11 world.

In the 1940s and 1950s, some of the greatest jazz and Latin musicians performed together in New York and Havana. This festive album, The Original Mambo Kings: An Introduction to Afro-Cubop 1948-1954, features Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bebo Valdes and many others who capture the spirit of the era.

Horace Silver pioneered the hard bop style in the 1950s, but he never forgot his roots. On Song for My Father, Silver demonstrates his imaginative and funky piano style while paying homage to the Cape Verdan melodies of his Portuguese father.

In 1964, Miles Davis recruited saxophonist Wayne Shorter from Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. This album captures the duo during this important time. Shorter went on to become Davis' most prolific composer, writing classics such as "Prince of Darkness" and "Nefertiti."