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Deer Tick understands that modern American folk is a diverse and rich genre that branches into rock, country and blues. Rich, haunting imagery of death, violence and angels lends an almost apocalyptic nature to "Ashamed," an otherwise tranquil song that recalls the work of Bob Dylan.

A lovely tension permeates The National's "Start a War," as Matt Berninger's words suggest an inevitable clash of swords. The line "Walk away now, and you're gonna start a war" sounds like equal parts proclamation, threat and statement of weary resignation.

Jazz expression remains forever steeped in the innovations of Armstrong's trumpet solos. The scope and magnitude of his virtuosity was nothing short of world-altering. Each time he held his horn up to his lips, he made melodies ring out in a joyful, brilliant tone.

Throughout his 60-year career, Max Roach redefined jazz drumming by dividing rhythms in new ways and creating a wide palette of colors. Always the innovator, he extended possibilities for drummers, and helped develop modern jazz.

Listening to one of Finnish metal band Korpiklaani's frantic songs is like being tackled by a frisky Finnish Lapphund — it's not subtle, but it sure is likable. The band's music fuses humppa (a Finnish variant of German oompah music) and heavy metal with surprisingly few seams.

The standard canon for up-and-coming jazz pianists has traditionally included the likes of Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. But Lafayette Gilchrist did not start playing the piano until college after a childhood listening to much more funk, hip hop and go-go than jazz.

Soprano Dawn Upshaw is an equal-opportunity vocalist. From Bach to Broadway to today's composers, her creative approach to vocal music and her solid technique have earned her a 2007 MacArthur "genius" grant.

Live from the Monterey Jazz Festival, Otis Taylor plays what he calls "trance blues" — a blues sound drenched in Appalachian country music and moody, psychedelic rock. He discovered blues and folk music after hearing the work of Mississippi John Hurt. Hear a full concert.

"The New Girl In Town," performed by Brittany Snow on the Hairspray soundtrack, does what any good song from a musical should do: It reflects the singer's perspective on the plot at that moment. Plus, it stands on its own as the exact type of music it's supposed to be.

For two minutes and 21 seconds, Sir Andre Previn improvises in the studio and comes up with "Andre's Blues," one of the cuts on his new solo piano album. At the start, Previn's 78-year-old fingers take off in a lighthearted reverie and then segue into the business of the blues.