Pick six: Half-dozen cool things in music

Updated: January 3, 2009 - 11:19 PM

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

AC/DC, Xcel Energy Center. An amazing concert. Can you believe Brian Johnson is 61 years old? The crowd was so diverse: There were people who probably saw the band back in 1973 as well as a dad who was exposing his fifth-grade guitar-playing son to a real rock guitarist (Angus Young).

The Eagles, Target Center. Two friends and I spent $195 each to sit in the second row at the side of the stage. The band certainly gave us our money's worth, with each member having a spot in the limelight on Eagles songs as well as solo efforts.

The Myth in Maplewood. This special venue brings you up close and personal with the stars. Judas Priest was great, and the Scorpions were unbelievable, with Klaus Meine's voice sounding as clear as it was back in the '80s.

SCOTT SOKOL, CHASKA

TO CONTRIBUTE: POPMUSIC@STARTRIBUNE. COM

Eartha Kitt interviewed by Gwen Ifill, "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer." Taped in September for a February PBS special, part of this interview/concert was shown after Kitt's Christmas Day death. You can appreciate her magic as a person and performer.

Darlene Love, "Late Show With David Letterman." Backed by a powerful mostly female choir, this classic 1960s star with a still-magnificent voice continued a favorite holiday tradition by doing Phil Spector's ever-passionate "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."

Bettye LaVette, "Love, Reign O'er Me," Kennedy Center Honors. With all the youthful star power (Beyoncé, Joss Stone, Idina Menzel, Brad Paisley) paying tribute to Barbra Streisand, George Jones, Roger Daltrey/Pete Townshend and others, it was the old R&B pro who totally owned this soulful, pleading interpretation of the Who classic. Easily the show's musical high point.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE