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Tim Ries

Stones World: The Rolling Stones Project II

Sunnyside

Tim Ries took full advantage of his role as guest saxophonist on the Rolling Stones’ 2005-07 "Bigger Bang Tour." During his travels, Ries recorded 12 Jagger and Richards songs with local musicians in nearly as many countries. Don’t expect typical, loungey jazz covers, however. Ries radically rearranged the duo’s material to blend his strong and expressive improvisations with regional styles.

An India-tinged "Angie," a samba-flavored "Lady Jane" sung by the great Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento, "Brown Sugar" rewritten as a Portuguese dance song, a state-of-the-jazz "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" featuring guitar great Bill Frisell, and a six-woman, multinational "Salt of the Earth," are among this ambitious endeavor’s highlights. Stones fans may be impressed at just how gamely Mick (on harmonica), Keith, and Charlie Watts adapt themselves to unfamiliar settings.

Frigg

Economy Class

Northside

 Frigg, whom you may recognize from their "Prairie Home Companion" appearances, is a seven-piece, neo-traditional Nordic folk group named after the queen goddess of Norse mythology. The youngish group adds twists aplenty to old-fashioned polkas, schottisches, and drinking songs on an album borne smoothly by a handful of violins embellished with guitar, mandolin, double bass, and the occasional dobro or horn section.

As the title suggests, Frigg’s no-frills vitality assures a fascinating journey. The powerful schottische, "Norrsken," and roller-coastering "Kind of Polka" swing weightlessly. Even the mordant "When the Time Comes I’ll Be Ready" possesses an optimistic tilt.

Frigg ends its third album with the ambitious "Lars Lenkelifot," a hauntingly traditional Norwegian song rearranged for orchestra and chorus and packed into four captivating minutes.