CDs with cause & effect

Are you motivated to invest in entertainment that also benefits a worthy cause? If so, get primed for the CD and DVDs topping today's new releases roundup.

HALLMARKS: Among the lingering concerns about devastated New Orleans are fears that the city's rich cultural heritage might be permanently diminished. That's reason alone to buy "Preservation" (Preservation Hall Records, A), an album benefiting the city's bastion of traditional jazz, Preservation Hall, and its Music Outreach Program training young players.

Better still, this set is conceptually sound and tastefully wrought, bringing in noteworthy and appropriate talents to perform traditional jazz, blues and gospel tunes as guest vocalists with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Grizzled vets Tom Waits (gleefully crooning the ragtime novelty "Tootie Ma Was a Big Fine Thing"), home-towner Dr. John ("Winin' Boy") and Richie Havens (processing "Trouble in Mind" his way) are obvious matchups.

Yet, equally successful are younger pairings with the band: Paolo Nutini putting his lovely Scottish burr to "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"; Brandi Carlile lugging the "Old Rugged Cross"; and Yim Yames (aka Jim James, of My Morning Jacket) singing through a megaphone (for real) to get the right old-timey feel on "Louisiana Fairytale."

Country music vets Del McCoury, Buddy Miller and Merle Haggard make the Southland-swing connection. And this package is so big, so important, that even Louis Armstrong has been lured back to swing sweetly on "Rockin' Chair."

Other contributors, newly recorded, include Angelique Kidjo with Terence Blanchard, Steve Earle, Cory Chisel, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Ani DiFranco, Pete Seeger, Jason Isbell and Andrew Bird.

BIRDS WITH (NPR) BENEFITS: Synergies have swelled between National Public Radio and the "The New Jazz Divas" (Shout Factory/NPR, B+) that it's now touting.

Even when a young sweetie is singing - say, Philly girl Melody Gardot ("Worrisome Heart") or vocalist/bass whiz Esperanza Spalding ("I Adore You") - you sense that the thrush is reaching out to the grown-ups who linger at the noncommercial end of the radio dial.

That goes double with Diana Krall (tiptoing into Tom Waits' "Temptation"), Jane Monheit (soaring "Over the Rainbow") and Ledisi, letting it all hang out on an amazing "Round Midnight."

MORE FOR A CAUSE: SubCity Records has hit on a good thing with its "Take Action" series, now up to "Volume 9" (Sun City, B). Album kickoffs We The Kings announce that the series has raised more than $2 million bucks in charity donations to "make the world a better place," not bad considering that only 5 percent of the retail price is so earmarked.

These compilations also serve as a soft-pedaled showcase for the alt-rocking contributors - here including the pretty well-known A Rocket to the Moon, Cobra Starship, Taking Back Sunday and All Time Low, and a bunch (from the Summer Set to August Burns Red) that may be new to your ears.

The Secret Policeman's Ball concert series has been ongoing for 30 years, with noted Brit comedians and musicians giving their all for Amnesty International. Pricey DVD show sets have previously surfaced. Now, "The Secret Policeman's Private Party" DVD (Shout Factory, B) delivers the greatest hits by the Monty Python crew (like "Pet Shop"), Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Rowan (Mr. Bean) Atkinson, "House" M.D. Hugh Laurie and more.

INTERNATIONAL FEEL: Such a bittersweet sorrow that the now-departed Malian master musician Ali Farka Toure (guitar, vocals) and his spiritual kin Toumani Diabate (kora) will never be able to make another album of folkloric music as haunting, genteel, intricate and magical as "Ali and Toumani" (World Circuit/Nonesuch, A). A thing of gossamer beauty, as produced by Nick Gold (of Buena Vista Social Club fame.)

It's been aeons since the man answered to "Dollar Brand." Yet, pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim still makes cunning connections between his native South African tribal music and jazz on the audiophile grade "Bombella" (Sunnyside, A-), blowing it up good with the WDR Big Band Cologne.

OLD TIME/NEW TIME: With veteran producer Cowboy Jack Clement at the helm, Marley's Ghost puts a whole lot of life into old-timey country-music styles on "Ghost Town" (Sage Arts, A-). Appealing to fans of both John Denver and the New Lost City Ramblers - no easy feat!

Captured largely in Smithsonian-sponsored concerts, the "Classic Appalachian Blues" (Smithsonian Folkways, B+) offers an excellent array of vintage artists and hill-country repertoire. Dig the stomping Peg Leg Sam Jackson, Rev. Gary Davis and the legendary Pink Anderson, inspiration to Pink Floyd.

Never heard of these guys before. But Moreland & Arbuckle are on my radar screen now with their neo-revivalist, wailing vocals, hard harmonica and "cigar box" blues guitar rockin' "Flood" (Telarc, B+).

BRIEFLY NOTED: Nick Curren & the Lowlifes rejuvenate greaseball rock styles with flash and wit on "Reform School Girl" (Eclecto-Groove, A-).

Looking for a new truck-driving and drinking buddy? Haul along good old (young) boy Josh Thompson on "Way Out Here" (Columbia, B).

Languid, laid-back countrypolitan crooners Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux have a worthy new competitor in Meaghan Smith, rousing "The Cricket's Orchestra" (Sire, B+). Gotta go to Barnes & Noble to find it.

While the production has sadly closed, the gorgeously sung, new Broadway cast recording of "Finian's Rainbow" (PS Classics, B+) is a charm forever.