In this week's column, we feature music by the Ettes, David Amram, the Moondoggies, Gentle Giant, and more.
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The Ettes
Nashville-L.A. rock trio The Ettes is comprised of Floridian singer/songwriter Coco, New York-raised drummer Poni, and New Jersey native Jem on bass, with Johnny supplementing the unit on guitar. Founded in the early aughts, the ensemble has four releases to collect. Discover the high-octane "I Can't Be True," from their 2009 release Do You Want Power, produced by Greg Cartwright.

Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Rock
Artist: The Ettes
Song: I Can't Be True
Album: Do You Want Power

David Amram
Jazz virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist David Amram was born in Depression-era Philly. As child, he studied piano, yet the French horn became his mainstay. After studies at Oberlin, he graduated from George Washington University in 1952. At that time, he played for the National Symphony Orchestra, but by decade's end, he was a major Beat movement figure, collaborating with Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Amram's other collaborations include Leonard Bernstein, Dizzy Gillespie, Dustin Hoffman, Willie Nelson, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and Lionel Hampton. Among his theater, orchestral, opera, and film credits are Pull My Daisy, The Manchurian Candidate starring Frank Sinatra, Splendor in the Grass, and The Final Ingredient. Accolades include six honorary doctorates. Discover Amram's "Blues," from his 1998 Triple Concerto.

Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Jazz
Artist: David Amram
Song: Blues
Album: Triple Concerto

The Moondoggies
The Moondoggies are the Seattle-based Americana rock unit of Caleb Quick (keyboards), Kevin Murphy (guitar, vocals), Robert Terreberry (bass), and Carl Dahlen (drums). These Cascade High School friends founded the band in the mid-aughts and have since toured their brand of old-school rock-'n'-roll nonstop. Get started with "Ain't No Lord," from their 2008 debut Don't Be a Stranger.

Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Rock
Artist: The Moondoggies
Song: Ain't No Lord
Album: Don't Be a Stranger

Orenda Fink
Singer/songwriter Orenda Fink (of Azure Ray), an Alabama native, set her roots in Athens, Georgia's music scene before landing in Omaha. Currently L.A. based, Fink has collaborated with Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), Stephen Bartolomei, Andy LeMaster, Dan McCarthy, and Adrianne Verhoeven. Check out the lovely "Leave It All," from her 2005 full-length debut Invisible Ones.

Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Alternative
Artist: Orenda Fink
Song: Leave It All
Album: Invisible Ones

Gentle Giant
Brit prog-rock quintette Gentle Giant was enjoined in 1970 by the Shulman brothers Phil, Derek, and Ray, along with Gary Green and Kerry Minnear. Later playing for the Giants were John Weathers, Martin Smith, and Malcolm Mortimore. Sophisticated and heady, the band held a cult underdog status throughout its reign, which lasted just over a decade. Gentle Giant shared stages with Jethro Tull and Black Sabbath. With over a dozen releases, get acquainted with "Think of Me With Kindness," from their 1972 release Octopus.

Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Prog Rock
Artist: Gentle Giant
Song: Think of Me With Kindness
Album: Octopus

Magic Sam
West-side Chicago bluesman "Magic Sam" Maghett was born in the Mississippi Delta region on Valentine's Day 1937. Raised by sharecropper parents, Sam took up guitar as a boy. By 1950, the Maghett family moved to Chicago, and as a teen, Sam was playing professionally. In 1955, he formed his first band and went on to make records for the Cobra, Chief, Crash, and Delmark labels. Collaborations include Willie Dixon, Shakey Jake Harris, and Otis Rush. A brief stint in the military proved disastrous, and Maghett served time for desertion. In 1969, Magic Sam, just 32, passed away from a heart ailment. His magnificent blues trove is a bounty to relish. Get started with "My Love Is Your Love," from The Essential Magic Sam: The Cobra and Chief Recordings 1957-1961.

Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Blues
Artist: Magic Sam
Song: My Love Is Your Love
Album: Essential Magic Sam: The Cobra and Chief Recordings 1957-1961

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