It was the Bakersfield sound vs. the New Orleans grind on Friday night in the Twin Cities, as two living legends of American music, Merle Haggard and Dr. John, played dueling shows in town.
Haggard, a country music legend, 76, returned to the State Theatre with his sturdy band the Strangers, their third show here in as many years as the Hag shows no sign of slowing down. Meanwhile, Dr. John, the New Orleans piano master and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee also known as Mac Rebennack, 72, performed at the Minnesota Zoo amphitheater fresh off the comeback success of last year's album, "Locked Down," which was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.
Read reviews of both concerts online Saturday at startribune.com/music.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
