HEAR AND NOW: New releases by three legends
Courtesy of Amazon.com Correction appended Dylan, Ben Folds singing a cappella and a Streisand retrospective -- with all three of these albums being released today, it's like Christmas, the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving all falling on your birthday. Bob Dylan: "Together Through Life" Multiply my age by two, add six for good measure, and you'll have the number of albums Bob Dylan has released (46). Dylan's newest album, coming after the well-received "Modern Times" (2006), focuses on seductive romance and struggling relationships. Highlights include accordion playing -- the instrument is included on every track -- and the song "Life is Hard," which was produced for French director Oliver Dahn's forthcoming film "My Own Love Song." Also included in the album is a disc containing an episode of Dylan's radio show. Will Dylan once again prove he's still the same bard he was over four decades ago? Has his trademark gravelly voice deteriorated from passionate croon to I-spent-the-day-at-the-concrete-factory? The answers to these questions remain to be seen, but I believe there is every reason to believe that this dinosaur of American music might just have done it again. Ben Folds: "Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella" On his official web site, Ben Folds explains the genesis of his newest effort. "Music education has been atrophying," Folds said.











