BILLY CHILDS – MAP TO THE TREASURE: REIMAGINING LAURA NYRO

The CD kicks off with a surprisingly effective reworking of “New York Tendaberry,” featuring Renee Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma, and ends with a stellar reading by Alison Krauss (featuring Jerry Douglas on dobro) of “And When I Die.” All 10 songs, aptly produced by Larry Klein, demonstrate Billy Childs’ passionate arranging skills — and, of course, his inventive piano playing. Childs and Klein do a fantastic job casting singers and players who only complement these classic compositions. The results are magical.