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

Willie Nile, the Dakota. The slight New Yorker filled up the room with his big sound and lyrics about love, community, war and leaving home with such originals as "Love Is a Train," "One Guitar," "Holy War" and "The Crossing," plus tributes to Pete Seeger and Lou Reed.

Jake Rudh, British Invasion, Brit's Pub. The DJ tracked music and videos from the Fab Four, Stones, Animals and others to later waves of British rockers such as the Clash, Sex Pistols and Blur while a mix of older and younger fans danced the night away.

"The Beatles: The Night That Changed America." Exactly 50 years to the day that Ed Sullivan brought the Fab Four to the States, we heard several lively covers of Liverpool's finest, including Joe Walsh and Gary Clark Jr.'s fiery "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." But then Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney took the stage and showed us why half the Beatles beats a whole lotta others.

Jim Joyce, Minneapolis

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Pentatonix, the State. The winners of NBC's "The Sing-Off" for Season 3 were the right combination of musicality, humor, showmanship, fun and "Glee." Proving that the sum is greater than the individual parts, this harmony-happy a cappella quintet used visual and vocal creativity to present 90 minutes of re-imagined hot hits and originals in a nearly flawless show.

Jason Isbell, First Avenue. His songcraft is so superior and voice so penetrating that a jam-packed, well-lubricated crowd stood for two hours listening to his sad tales of cancer, addiction and heartbreak.

Garth Brooks on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." Did you appreciate the irony of Brooks coming out of retirement to serenade a retiring Leno on his final show with "The Dance" and "Friends in Low Places"?

Jon Bream, Star Tribune