Pick six

Last update: October 31, 2009 - 2:16 PM

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

"Michael Jackson Before He Was King" by Todd Gray (Chronicle). From 1974 to '83, Gray was Jackson's personal photographer, documenting him on and off stage. In these mostly heretofore unseen photos, there is a lot of off-stage loneliness, an occasional unforced smile and some exciting concert shots, including the final one with an ecstatic face.

Lucero, Varsity Theater. Imagine a young, Southern, hirsute Springsteen, singing about heartbreak, with a big band including a three-piece horn section -- and a joyous, well-lubricated crowd.

Buddy Miller, Mystic Lake Casino. Opening for Emmylou Harris, this much-awarded Americana stalwart was charming, funny and insightful -- in song and conversation. His set was more memorable than the one by the more famous Harris.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE

Prince, Paisley Park. He invited us to Paisley for the first time in five years, started on time (a first for a non-arena show) and lit the place up for three solid hours with "too many hits," collected clothing for charity and kept distracting cell-phone picture-taking, texting and blabbing outside where it belonged.

Rosanne Cash and Bruce Springsteen, "Sea of Heartbreak." Heard this track from Cash's "The List" on an ailing relative's CD player as I drove his car home from the hospital the night after the Boss canceled his Kansas City show (I was there) due to the death of his cousin/road manager. Cathartic, to say the least.

South High School Wind Ensemble and Minnesota Symphonic Winds. More than 80 musicians, ages 15 to 50, squeezed onstage for a rousing version of "Funiculi, Funicula." The audience erupted in applause.

HEIDI VADER, MINNEAPOLIS

To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com

Recent Music stories

Swift makes history, wins entertainer of the year — youngest winner, first woman since '99 - October 31, 2009

Swift makes history, wins entertainer of the year — youngest winner, first woman since '99 - Taylor Swift made history at the Country Music Awards, becoming the youngest person to win entertainer of the year and the first solo female to win it in a decade. More