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Musicians over 50 didn’t just release great new albums this year. Many also marked major milestones in their careers, whether it was through comebacks, finales, or simply the sheer volume of
their output. In 2024, the unstoppable Herb Alpert, 89, released his _50th _album. At the same time, older stars who’d been missing in action for some time, like The Cure, Sade and
country-punk pioneers Lone Justice, made striking returns. Other seasoned stars wrapped up their careers in rousing form, including L.A. punk legends X, who issued their avowed final album,
and the Allman Brothers, who released their epic-length _Final Concert_ from a decade ago. Coupled with stellar collections from other well-traveled stars, this year gave fans of grown-up
music a wealth of new sounds to savor. Here are AARP’s 12 favorite albums for 2024. Courtesy of the Artist HERB ALPERT: _50_ Though Herb Alpert will hit 90 in March 2025, the tone of his
trumpet has lost none of its purity or distinction. Likewise, his music sounds as clean, robust and joyous as ever. For his 50th work, Alpert emphasizes covers of songs from the 1950s and
60s, such as “Sh-Boom” and the Elvis Presley hit “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” But he also delivers new cuts, such as “Dancing Down 50th Street,” which has all the flirty charm of his ‘60s
classics. Courtesy Smoke & Fiction X: _SMOKE & FICTION_ Back in 1980, X gave their hometown of L.A. a hard new soundtrack. At the same time, their punky sound had enough variety,
through its minor key harmonies and blasts of rockabilly, to have staying power. This year, the foursome — led by Exene Cervenka, 68, and John Doe, 71 — decided to quit while they’re ahead.
Understandably, many of their swan-song tracks reference the group’s storied history, especially “Big Black X,” which chronicles their struggling days while also offering sage advice: “Stay
awake and don’t get taken.” Courtesy Falcon Publicity THE ALLMAN BROTHERS: _FINAL CONCERT: 10-28-14_ Brilliant as their best studio albums may have been, the Allmans always shot the moon
live. So it came as a blow when, in 2014, key members decided to move on, leading to their final concert. The show took place at a venue that had hosted them for decades, New York’s Beacon
Theatre. Because I was lucky enough to be there, I can report that this recording captures everything I experienced. Although the concert was of Allman-esque length — over three and a half
hours — it whipped by in a blur of inspiration and beauty. The nearly 10-minute version of “Blue Sky” featured some of the most ravishing and fleet guitar solos Derek Trucks and Warren
Haynes, 64, ever devised. While it’s disappointing that the Allmans didn’t invite back the song’s author (guitarist Dickey Betts, who passed away in April 2024), it’s hard to fault any event
as bold and generous as this. Courtesy V. Haddad, Rohan Rege, Olive Panter MULTIPLE ARTISTS: _TRANSA_ Nearly 35 years ago, the Red Hot organization began releasing brilliantly curated
all-star compilations to raise money for the fight against AIDS. This year, the nonprofit created its most purposeful collection in years by focusing on transgender issues and stars. More
than 80 artists — trans and not — took part, including names as big as Jeff Tweedy, 57, and Andre 3000. With 46 tracks, it covers a lot of ground, from witty punk anthems like “Surrender
Your Gender” by Jayne County, 77, to country-soul pieces like “Any Other Way” by Americana star Allison Russell. But the stand-out comes from Sade, 65, whose “Young Lion,” her first new song
in six years, offers an apology to her transgender son for not understanding his identity sooner. The song’s deeply personal nature makes it that much more relatable.