Brian Willson's new CD, Things Heard Unheard (a title I nominate for "Best of Century" thus far) documents the collective improvisations of percussionist Willson, bassist Dominic Duval, and pianist Yuko Fujiyama during a single night of recording in Brooklyn. While influenced by world music, the trio works primarily in the "free jazz" improvisational style as pioneered by Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, and Cecil Taylor (Duval's a current member of Taylor's trio). There's no notated music and few harmonic, tempo, or structural guidelines to strangle creativity. The 10 pieces range from a minute and a half to 10 minutes in length. These are not toe-tapping "tunes" but "to be or not to be" dramatic soundscapes chronicling these master musicians' heartbeats and synaptic bursts as they invent and respond in the moment.

Highlights: "Fractals" showcases Fujiyama's multioctave virtuosity in turbulent dialogue with bombastic Willson; "Dear Charlie" is a drum solo featuring waves of cymbal splashes and tom-tom bursts leading unexpectedly to a quiet undertow; "Bit by Bit" is the "jazziest" piece with a hint of traditional trio-playing.

In true free jazz fashion, attentive listeners will complete the performances of these unbounded works through the interpretive readings of their own momentary moods and knowledge bases.

Venerable singer/songwriter John Hall has a new CD which is a veritable travelogue of a journey he took with his 39-foot sailboat, Athena, out of Kingston.

The Jackson Browne-penned title track sounds like it was made for the reggae treatment; like a flat stone skipping over a still pond, its melody bounces over sunny upbeats. "Banks of the Hudson" is a new tune that sounds decades old—a fine, long overdue ode to our geological anchor. "I Need a Break (From My Vacation)" is one of those songs everyone can relate to and wishes they had written, and "Another Sunset" is simply gorgeous.

With this CD—recorded locally at Millbrook Sound Studios—Hall has a crew of killer musicians onboardthat includes ace drummer Peter O'Brien, and even country star Steve Wariner shows up for duty. The best has to be Hall himself and his way with melody; whether it's in his writing, playing, or singing, he's rarely been better.

The only fault here is a hint of elitism; truth be told, the majority of listeners can't take weeks off from work and ride around in a sailboat. But here's to hope; this is music to dream by. www.johnhallmusic.com.

Quite simply, I love The Kennedys because they invite us all to celebrate their 10 years together—livin', lovin', giggin', tourin'.

In the exuberant title track, "Namaste," "let the divine in you recognize the divine in me" sets the tone of my whole day. The chugging "Midnight Ghost" revives the wide-open mind and spirit of Kerouac's America. "Listen" and "Live" cool me when I'm set to boil. I love the crisp, breezy clang-jangle of Pete's guitars and Maura's vocal effervescence. Even cover versions of Richard Thompson's plaintive "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again" and Dylan's iconoclastic "Chimes of Freedom" sound like Kennedys songs. How many artists can achieve that?

Unafraid to mix philosophy, spirituality, love, and artistry with a folk-rock backbeat is what makes this duo a positive force on all things human. I love The Kennedys because, like their previous seven discs—especially Stand, Life Is Large, and, the still compelling debut, River of Fallen Stars—I can listen to every song and feel like I'm crossing those many miles right alongside them.

The Kennedy's will open for John Hall at Towne Crier, 130 Route 22, Pawling, on October 15. www.kennedysmusic.com.