(guest blogged by Howie Klein)

My first interaction with Alanis was when she came into my office and asked me if she could play me the just-finished tapes of her debut album.

She sat cross-legged on the floor of my office and after 3 songs I realized I was listening to music that was going to make my company very, very successful. I called the head of sales and told him to double the initial shipments and I started calling our international affiliates to tell them what to expect.

No one, though, expected the impact that Jagged Little Pill would eventually have. It sold over 30 million copies worldwide, the best selling debut album of all time by a female artist. And this week when someone told me that had a new Alanis song for me to hear, this is the last thing I expected.

Watch her little April Fool video, "My Hump," which, spoof or no spoof, sadly reflects on the state of pop music these days:

Tonight's contest winner gets a copy of This Moment on Earth personally autographed by the book's two authors, Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry. To win, send a dj setlist of your 5 favorite Alanis songs to downwithtyranny@aol.com and let us know why you picked those tracks.

Wow. I've been overwhelmed by suggestions since I mentioned that I love world music. Gogol Bordello technically does not qualify, as they are from the Lower East Side of NYC, but I think you'll catch the gypsy/Ukranian influence (they call themselves Gypsy Punk).

The lead singer Eugene Hutz may look familiar to you, as he also starred in the wonderful Everything is Illuminated. This song, Start Wearing Purple from their album, Voi-La Intruder, was featured in the movie and has also been adopted by the Baltimore Ravens as their unofficial theme song.

Arthur Silber writes incredible pieces about Callas:

Decades from now, and even in hundreds of years, Callas's art will be remembered by those who search history for the greatest of achievements, and who treasure and guard them as the most precious of rare gems. She will live, when we have been long forgotten...read on

(guest blogged by Howie Klein)

When I retired from Warner Bros I remember thinking how I'd never have to go to another boring Grammy Awards, People's Choice Awards, MTV Awards or any of that painful hideousness where you are supposed to feel privileged to be a prop in someone's crappy TV show.

The one award ceremony I actually always looked forward to though was the Junos Awards in Canada. That was always fun and always personal. When I know you better I'll tell you about the personal part.

Last night, Nelly Furtado swept this year's awards-- winning all 5 of the categories she was nominated in. The show started in a real fun way when she flew down from the ceiling in a bird outfit and sang "I'm Like A Bird." Last time I saw her perform was at the Apple store in Santa Monica. Here's the smash version of that song that launched her into superstar status, from her 2000 album Whoa, Nelly

(guest blogged by Howie Klein)

R.E.M. fans probably know that every year at Christmas time the band sends out an exclusive vinyl 7" single to their fan club members.

In 1995 the song was a cover of Chris Isaak's greatest hit, "Wicked Game" (1989). Even rarer is this live version of the song taped off the soundboard at an R.E.M. dress rehearsal.

Download | play

I was thinking about the song yesterday because Chris Isaak is from Stockton, California and Saturday that area's congressman, Jerry McNerney, did a chat at Firedoglake and we gave away 2-disc sets of Chris' GREATEST HITS (including a DVD) and I saved one for the Late Night Music Club. If you'd like to win the set, send an e-mail to downwithtyranny@aol.com with a one paragraph explanation of why you're the one who should get it.

C&L wants to thank all those who participated in the last contest. You can read the winning entries below the fold.

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I really love world music and find it really sad that many Americans--perhaps because of the foreign language?--never really listen to music from other countries.

Amadou and Mariam are a duo of musicians from Mali who happen to be blind. I love the Middle Eastern and South American influences in their music, which I've heard described as "Afro-blues."

Senegal Fast Food from Dimanche à Bamako (h/t Hugh J.)

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I Will Follow You Into the Dark from Plans.

Lyrics here.

The master blues-man. I went to see him in the Village for my birthday back in the 80's and what a treat that was. He has such a unique sound that any affectionado can tell you it's Stanley after two notes...He played with the legendary Jimmy Smith on a ton of records...

Sugar is a classic tune.