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

Livingston Taylor, Crossings at Carnegie, Zumbrota. At 64, he's got great chops on the guitar (possibly a better all-around musician than his brother James?) and prodigious knowledge of old standards and show tunes. Best of all, he brought Chelsea Berry, a former Berklee School of Music student, to perform; their duets, especially "Over the Rainbow," were heavenly.

Axel Zwingenberger, Lila Ammons and Butch Thompson, Studio Z. A great night of traditional jazz featuring one of the world's best performers of boogie-woogie piano (German pianist Zwingenberger), his longtime touring partner (Twin Cities vocalist Ammons) and the incomparable Thompson (showing equal skill on clarinet and piano). A rare treat to catch a slice of this jazz history.

Tuck and Patti, the Dakota. This always wonderful duo did not disappoint, spinning their crowd favorites "Time After Time" and "Takes My Breath Away." The Dakota seemed a sweet place for Tuck Andress' virtuosic guitarwork to shine.

LOUISA CASTNER, Minneapolis

E-mail popmusic@startribune.com.

Chris Stapleton, "Traveller." Coming across like Jamey Johnson's kid brother, he shows shades of Waylon, Merle and Skynyrd. The songwriting is terrific, the singing potent. Best country album of 2015 so far.

Leon Bridges, First Avenue. With his Sam Cooke-evoking voice and throwback soul style, this 25-year-old Texan still managed to feel fresh opening for Lord Huron. Can't wait to hear Bridges' debut album in June.

Nellie McKay, the Dakota. She focused on interpreting songs of the '60s. Never did "People Are Strange" sound more apropos than for this quirky cabaret singer.

Jon Bream, Star Tribune