Anybody who knows me well knows that I love music and everything about music. I love playing it, I love listening to it, I love talking about it.

It just so happens that today I’ve heard two albums that I think are worthy of your time and money.

The first–and most mainstream–is the latest offering from George and Giles Martin, a 26-track offering of songs remastered, remixed, and reworked from the Beatles, entitled LOVE, after the Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. This makes you listen to the Fab Four in a way they’ve never been presented before. And–with one small exception–everything on the disc is from the origional recordings… it’s easy to forget that the Beatles usually recorded things several times and then picked the best of the lot… and George and Giles rummage through all those B-takes and reels and come up with the best from every second of recording time. It’s incredible. Recommended Track: “Lady Madonna”

Slightly less mainstream but still amazing is 9, the newest album from Damien Rice. This guy is just straight good at writing a song. If you’re offended by profanity, frankness, or incredibly concentrated talent, then stay away from this disc. If you’re tired of hearing what everyone else on the radio is spewing out, then go buy it now and regret it not. Damien Rice is devoted… when he first started playing music over in Ireland, he gave up all of his earthly possesions except his guitar and became a homeless wanderer playing on the streets of Dublin for two years–all just to hone his musical skills. That’s devotion I ain’t got, folks, and it shows… both in his debut “O” and this great album. Recommended Track: “Rootless Tree”.

Go listen.

Jamion