The last we heard of Nancy Sinatra she was singing Lee Hazlewood songs in the late 1960s. These epitomized pop at that time with their kitschy titles, off-key singing and colorful yet simple lyricism. One assumed after "These Boots Are Made for Walking" and "Sugar Town" ceased playing on top 40 radio and then began broadcasting on the "golden oldies" stations that Ms. Sinatra’s time in the sun had come and gone. Most people were right for the most part...until now.

Apparently, over the last couple decades Nancy has secretly cultivated a hip following of artists that include Bono and The Edge from U2, Morrissey, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Iggy Pop, Jarvis Cocker of Pulp and more. These notables plus others all make guest appearances on her new eponymous record. One would assume by this point in her life that Ms. Sinatra would be hacking up a lung in a tacky olive colored run-down gambling casino in Vegas barely audible and warbling out insults at former managers, loved ones, etc. Instead, she bounces back big time with this extraordinarily fun record.

A lot of faded artists have taken this route before, performing with younger, more "hip" artists, and either end up flops or commercially successful records that sound awkward in comparison to those artists’ past oeuvre. Not Nancy. Even if you are only familiar with her hits, e.g., Mr. Headphones, this new record sounds as if she has been waiting to make it for 30 years. The opener, "Burnin’ Down The Spark" is pure pop brilliance as backup band Calexico shine with all their mariachi brilliance and tremolo traces that make this an evocative and moving piece of music. Move over Herp Alpert

Sinatra’s voice seems more flexible than in the past. Instead of the kittenish nature of her youthful recordings, here she sounds anywhere from wise and weathered (the aforementioned track), naughty and Harley Davidson-esque "Ain’t No Easy Way" with Iggy Pop, and then also husky and moody as on "Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad." The only odd-egg here is her collaboration with Thurston Moore, "Momma’s Boy." The track showcases acidic and dissonant guitar pricks behind her while singing with a voice not unlike Yoko Ono; there you have one off kilter and possibly imitating song. Somehow, in my mind, it fits and proves to be entertaining nevertheless.

Other songs such as "Don’t Mean Nothing" and "Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time" keep the album moving along with steadily strummed acoustic guitars, background clapping and up tempo rhythms to make that long car ride all the more enjoyable. Overall, Nancy Sinatra proves that she has more under her sleeve than her past hits or being Lee Hazlewood’s songstress puppet. Even with the aid of these younger artists, she still embellishes the record with plenty of her own personality. So, I cannot say enough that Nancy Sinatra is worth every penny and worth many repeated plays.

Artist: Rolling Stones
Album: Live Licks
Label: Virgin Records/EMI

Although most people may think the Stones are passe or their best years are behind them, they should check out this double disc live album from their recent juggernaut of a tour. The first disc has most of their biggest hits played with such energy and vibrant exuberance that you would think it was a mistake. Sheryl Crow makes a guest appearance on "Honky Tonk Women" and Solomon Burke makes an appearance on disc two on "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." The second disc is a goody drawer filled with songs seldom performed such as "Monkey Man," "Neighbors" "When the Whip Comes Down" and "Worried About You." The latter is a fun falsetto affair which reminds us of the brilliant mixture the Stones have exuded over the years by taking explorative posturing and melting that with the sincerest devotion to blues, rock and soul.