A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:
Al Green, "Late Show With David Letterman." Wearing his brand-new Kennedy Center Honors necklace, the jolly Green giant of soul looked a little heavier, but he hit that heavenly falsetto on "Tired of Being Alone" and "Let's Stay Together." He still radiates joy to the world.
iHeart Radio's sponsorship of KDWB's Jingle Ball. For the second consecutive year, the radio chain formerly known as Clear Channel put together this traveling top 40 show with a terrific production, featuring a Lazy Susan stage, lavish lights and video screens and free glow sticks for every concertgoer. Instant souvenirs make for instant happiness for top 40 fans.
Johnny Mathis, the State. At 79, he looked great and sounded wonderful, wonderful — especially when accompanied only by piano or acoustic guitar.
Jon Bream, Star Tribune
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Wilco, "Alpha Mike Foxtrot." With the band celebrating its 20th anniversary, the time is ripe for Wilco's first archival release. Expertly curated with insightful liner notes by Jeff Tweedy, this four-CD set of rarities, demos and live tracks provides a fascinating, often revelatory, history of this American treasure.
Spacemen 3, "Live at the New Morning, Geneva, Switzerland, 18.05.89." This out-of-the-blue, vinyl-only disc is a real treat for fans of these long-gone but not forgotten masters of drone-pysch rock, capturing a great 1989 show, with a half-hour encore of barely contained chaos. Take me to the other side, indeed.
Live Transmission/BNLX EP release party, the Varsity. Adding live music to one of DJ Jake Rudh's "Transmission" events was a marriage made in heaven: Six local bands played satisfying sets, mixing originals with covers of "Transmission" favorites, anchored by Rudh's enjoyable work. Hopefully the start of a new holiday tradition.
P.D. Larson, Minneapolis
