Billy Joel has a muse in emerging artist (and fellow Long Islander) Cass Dillon, to whom the legendary singer/songwriter passed along the powerful, politically charged "Christmas in Fallujah." Joel wrote the song in response to letters he has received from American soldiers in Iraq inspired by his music—and insisted that it be recorded by someone of like age. The 21-year-old Dillon sings, "We came to bring these people freedom, there is no justice in the desert, because there is no God in hell," with a sandpaper vocal that conjures the more rugged veneer of Joel's voice. Production is equally ardent, with dogged guitars and a dark swirl of strings that rises like a dust storm. Proceeds from "Fallujah," available on iTunes, will benefit Home for Our Troops. For information, contact stefano@ocdmusicgroup.com and see myspace.com/cassdillonmusic. —Chuck Taylor