Eminem, "60 Minutes" interview. I was moved by the mature sincerity and candid self- exposure that Eminem showed to Anderson Cooper. Eminem's demons, flaws and shortcomings were laid out in a way that his beats and bravado had previously kept me from recognizing. Jerry Lee Lewis, "Mean Old Man." Verve releases another masterpiece. The Killer's version of "Sunday Morning Comin' Down" and "Dead Flowers" with Mick Jagger set the mark for excellence.
JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys, Varsity. Chief Pretender Chrissie Hynde befriends an unknown Welsh songwriter, JP Jones, and showcases a great set of his original tunes to 100 people. I felt lucky to be among them.
LIAM BURTON, WAYZATA
"Fela" on Broadway. The story of Nigerian Afropop star/activist Fela Kuti may be hard to follow, but Bill T. Jones' vibrant choreography, the colorful Afro-centric set and Sahr Ngaujah's charmingly arrogant performance as Kuti make for an invigorating experience.
"Million Dollar Quartet" on Broadway. On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis did some impromptu recording together at Sun Studios in Memphis. Levi Kreis' comical/egotistical turn as Lewis, and the diverse music -- including spirituals, country and rock -- ignite this jukebox musical.
JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys, Varsity. Chrissie Hynde's new band rocked with authority and abandon. She provided attitude in her patter, while JP Jones impressed with his vocal gusto and sharp songwriting.
JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE
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