Take 5: 'Very Special Christmas,' Presley duet, more
- It's time for Christmas music, and here are two worthy collections
- Lisa Marie Presley's 'I Love You Because' video, dedicated to dad Elvis, premiered this week
- The Bridge School Concerts kick off this weekend
USA TODAY's music staff offers a weekend tip sheet of sound recommendations spanning the media landscape.
CDs
Have yourself two 'Very Special Christmas' albums
Looking for harmonious holidays? Special Olympics celebrates the 25th anniversary of its A Very Special Christmas album series with twin releases Oct. 16. A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary: Bringing Joy to the World boasts Christina Aguilera's Oh Holy Night, Cheap Trick's I Want You for Christmas, Dave Matthews' The Christmas Song (9.18.10, Chicago, IL), Train's Joy to the World, Martina McBride's Please Come Home for Christmas and more. A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth showcases a wide range of Christian artists, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Big Daddy Weave, Group 1 Crew, Sidewalk Prophets and Francesca Battistelli. Since 1987, the Very Special albums, the most successful benefit recording project in history, have generated more than $109 million in royalties for Special Olympics. — Gundersen
POSTHUMOUS DUET
Lisa Marie Presley pays homage to her father
In honor of the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, Lisa Marie recorded her vocals with her father's song I Love You Because back in August. She filmed a video to go with the posthumous duet, which introduces her four children and never-before-seen family photos. That video debuted this week on CMT and CMT.com. "Every five years, I try to do a special tribute," Presley told The Hollywood Reporter. Her dad recorded the song July 4 and 5 in 1954. The single is available now; the full video goes on iTunes Oct. 25. — Lopez
WEBCAST
Neil Young, Jack White, GNR headline Bridge School benefit concerts
The first of two 2012 Bridge School Concerts this weekend at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif., will stream in its entirety Saturday on Facebook. Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Jack White, Guns N' Roses and the Flaming Lips are among the artists who'll perform at the concert series, which is celebrating its 26th year of supporting the innovative non-profit that helps educate children with severe speech and physical impairments. Viewers can link to Facebook at bridgeschoolbenefit.org and they'll be asked for a donation of at least $5 for access (Sunday's concert won't stream). In addition to the headliners, Ray LaMontagne, Sarah McLachlan, Foster the People, Lucinda Williams, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, and Gary Clark Jr. will also perform. Also of interest to Young fans: Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme's acclaimed concert film Neil Young Journeys (2012, Sony, PG, $31; Blu-ray, $36) is out this week. — Jones
TV
Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples play 'Austin,' Bruno Mars on 'SNL'
Old-school legends and the new pop guard will be duly represented on the small screen this weekend. On Saturday, Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples bring their roots-soaked sounds to PBS' Austin City Limits (check local listings for times), with Raitt performing tunes from her latest album, Slipstream, and Staples juggling material from 2010's You Are Not Alone with Staples Sisters favorites. That night, Bruno Mars will serve as both host and musical guest of NBC's Saturday Night Live. The singer/songwriter's sophomore album, Unorthodox Jukebox, is out Dec. 11. — Gardner
TICKETS
Dave Matthews Band hits the road again
A few important numbers for Dave Matthews Band fans: Nov. 30 is the kickoff date for the band's month-long East Coast tour, and Friday (10 a.m. local time) is when tickets go on sale to the public. (Fan club members already bought theirs.) The band is playing sizable venues, though, so hopefully that means there are still plenty of seats available. The trek, in support of latest album Away From the World, starts in East Rutherford, N.J., and wraps up Dec. 22 in Philadelphia. — Lopez