A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:

Last update: July 26, 2008 - 4:36 PM

Rolling Stone does Rush. After 15 years of subscribing, I was floored and fascinated when the magazine recently -- and finally -- published a six-page spread on the triumph, tribulation and nerdiness that is Rush.

Jack Johnson, Somerset, Wis. Everybody's favorite surfer/songwriter/moviemaker kept the crowd in a mellow mood with his own laid-back tunes, as well as a few teases of Bob Marley and Paul Simon, among others.

John Mayer, "Where the Light Is." This outstanding three-disc live CD/DVD package highlights the best of all of Mayer's personalities: mellow acoustic crooner, guitar-slinging blues showman and catchy arena pop star.

STEVE PZYNSKI, NEW HOPE

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Heidi Newfield, "What Am I Waiting For." The former Trick Pony singer's romantic hit "Johnny and June" is the perfect preview of this stand-out CD, which finds Newfield, with an alluring ache in her gritty voice, sounding like a cross between Stevie Nicks and the Dixie Chicks. "Knocked Up" is a knockout novelty, and "Can't Let Go" is a sexy, confused kiss-off. Out Aug. 8.

Howard Tate, "Miss Beehive." On the opening track of his Aug. 12 "Blue Day" CD, this rehabbed 1960s soul star addresses Amy Winehouse, singing about how she likes to misbehave and lives on the edge of another close shave. This horn-spanked R&B stroll is spot-on fun.

Steve Winwood, Target Center. Opening for Tom Petty, this still-great vocalist sparkled on flashbacks: "Gimme Some Lovin'" with an extended organ solo, "Dear Mr. Fantasy" with a '70s guitar excursion and "Higher Love" with revamped Afro-island rhythms.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE