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

Oxford American's 11th annual music issue. It's a revelation listening to the two CDs full of Southern artists and reading the accompanying stories. How did I miss the Windbreakers?

Lola and the Red Hots, Cabooze. Every December, Tina Schlieske sets off the season just right with her passionate holiday chestnuts and fiery set closers by Aretha, Janis and Wings.

Christmas day on the Current (89.3 FM). The playlist of seasonal tunes mixed with rarities such as the Beatles holiday greetings to fans was the perfect soundtrack for the wintry, contemplative day.

MARTY AURON, MINNEAPOLIS

CONTRIBUTE: POPMUSIC@STARTRIBUNE.COM

Kennedy Center Honors for Bruce Springsteen. Not only was it nice to see this program recognize someone who's still active, but it was refreshing to see the Boss so humbled, as Jon Stewart (as poignant as he was funny), Eddie Vedder, Sting, John Mellencamp (?) and others saluted him.

"Crazy Heart" soundtrack. Hearing these weary country tunes (many written by T-Bone Burnett and the late Stephen Bruton) sung by actors Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell piques my interest in this new movie about a down-and-out country star.

Bad Plus, Dakota. In the final set of its 10th annual holiday stint, the trio emphasized quirky originals and covers of Ornette Coleman and Gyorgy Ligeti. The ironic rock interpretations were reserved for the encore.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE