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

Joe Henry, Dakota. With teenage son Levon on sax and a half-dozen egg shakers wrapped around drummer Jay Bellerose's left leg, the finest singer/songwriter/producer of the '00s and his quartet crafted a hypnotic blend of blues, folk and jazz. "Our Song" was breathtaking.

Ike Reilly Assassination, Triple Rock. Their four-night Twin Cities residency concluded with a packed club bellowing along to Reilly's huge sing-along choruses. The band was scorching on the last few songs of the set, then came back for a lengthy, satisfying encore.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, "I Learned the Hard Way." Man, oh man. The weather warms up and boom, a terrific summer single sprouts.

DAVE DRAEGER, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com

"The Runaways." A forced and condensed ending doesn't diminish the power of the performances of Kristen Stewart (who masters Joan Jett's posture) and Dakota Fanning (as the oversexed innocent Cherie Currie) or the cultural significance of this pioneering teenage all-girl rock band of the mid-1970s.

Laura Izibor, Fine Line. Looking like she could have been Prince's sister circa 1980, this Dublin soul siren seduced a smallish crowd with her vintage soul. Strong voice, electric smile and charisma to burn. She's no Adele, but her "From My Heart to Yours" connected big time.

Paul Westerberg on Alex Chilton, New York Times. The Replacements frontman's written reflection on the late rock cult-hero was typically loving, smart and smart-ass: "Someone should write a tune about him. Then again, nah, that would be impossible. Or just plain stupid."

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE