Memphis Blues

Lately, Cyndi Lauper is many things: American Idol guest, Lady Gaga sidekick, relevant again. So it's the perfect time for her to make . . . classic blues covers? Memphis Blues is a curveball, but that's its charm. It's fun to hear Lauper go all badass Betty Boop on "Don't Cry No More" and "Rollin' and Tumblin'," squeaking and hollering with help from Ann Peebles, Allen Toussaint and B.B. King. The world might not need another version of "Crossroads." But Lauper's got great sass on "Early in the Mornin'," teasing her band, "What you dooo-in'?" No doubt what they're doin' is listening to her with amusement.