Music to enjoy in 2017

So, that's 2016--a year in which far too many musicians' lives were lost and many singer-songwriters released a lot of compelling music.  In 2017, new releases are scheduled in the singers-with-captivating-range front (Rhiannon Giddens), the thought-provoking singer-songwriter department (Aimee Mann and Laura Marling), the infectious jazz bass department (Nathan East), and the appealing-fusion-between-piano, vocals, and mandolin-front (Brad Mehldau & Chris Thile.) Regardless of what happens in the new year, we won't be left empty-handed musically.