A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:
Steve Earle, "Townes." A heartfelt tribute to his late friend Townes Van Zandt. Townes fans will be impressed with the originality Earle puts into the songs while still maintaining their original flavor. Highly recommended.
Midlife crisis? I think not, but I must say there are many great local rock bands of 30- and 40-somethings in the Twin Cities: X-Ray Hip, Magnolias, 10W40, Sons of Gloria, Rhinestone Diplomats, the 757's.
Wilco, "Wilco." As a longtime fan, I really wasn't initially impressed with this disc. However, similar to a comfy pair of ripped jeans or sweats, I found myself going back again and again. That's when it dawned on me that average Wilco still surpasses nearly all other major releases.
STEVE WOLD, MINNEAPOLIS
To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com
Joey + Rory, State Fair. He wore overalls, she a huge belt buckle. Backed by recorded music, this twangy old-school couple (they finished third on "Can You Duet?" in 2008) charmed with the hilarious "Don't Touch My Willie" and the honky-tonkin' "Cheater Cheater," the best Dixie Chicks song the trio never recorded.
Karaoke with the Divas, State Fair. Every night next to Giggles Campfire Grill, the bewigged Divas run karaoke with the panache of a "Saturday Night Live" bit. After the blonde Diva did Rush's "Limelight," she asked a kid in the crowd who looked to be about 7 why he was wearing a Rush T-shirt; he said: "I'm a longtime listener." Rock on, dude!
