Bob Erler of Chanhassen:
1 "The Big Wu Way," History Theatre. The world premiere of this documentary was followed by a Big Wu concert at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St. Paul. It was all part of the Minnesota Music Coalition Summit.
2 The 4onthefloor, Mid West Music Fest. They gave a spirited and rowdy midnight headline show at the Winona Festival's expansion into La Crosse for a day of music.
3 Prince tributes. What an amazing outpouring of sentiment. The night of April 21 lit up purple around the globe.
Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:
1 Courtney Barnett, First Avenue. Like Lou Reed, she plays minimalist, rudimentary rock, sings with a talk-sing monotone and writes sharp, clever and often cutting lyrics.
2 Nancy Harms, Crooners. The Minnesota-bred, New York-based jazz thrush demonstrated a theatrical presence and a breathtaking way with ballads.
3 D'Angelo, "Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon." Backed by Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum, the soul man offered a piano version of Prince's "Sometimes It Snows in April." You couldn't have asked for a more fitting song and poignant performance. The lines pull at your heart: "Springtime always reminds me of Tracy's tears," and then when D'Angelo improvised, "I often dream of heaven/I know Prince is there," he lost it — and there were tears cried 'round the world.
