The “American Idol” champ–who has dropped her last name, Barrino–outclasses the competition and emerges with the finest debut of all the former “Idol” contestants. “Free Yourself” is far from perfect, ...

Music CDs make perfect stocking stuffers, as long as you take care to separate the gems from the dime-store rip offs. A few tips before you go: Remember Fantasia, the husky-voiced diamond-in-the-rough ...