A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:
Cher, Las Vegas. Witty, slick, supremely orchestrated and choreographed, with Bob Mackey costumes and Cher's supreme sense of "show-womanship." You gotta love a performer who falls down, howls in fits of laughter, picks herself back up and, via her actions, says, "The show must go on" -- and go on, it did.
"Jersey Boys," Orpheum Theatre. A great story of rough-neck boys realizing that hard work, guts and some patience make dreams come true. And all those Frankie Valli tunes performed by a solid cast. Loved it.
Michael W. Smith, "Grace." I bought his "Stand" CD by accident and discovered this amazing Christian song about grace in the face of life's hard times.
JULIE PAINE, ST. CROIX BEACH, MINN.
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Rodrigo y Gabriela, First Avenue. Two acoustic guitarists kept the crowd entranced for nearly two hours with Latin-flavored originals and interpretations of classic-rock songs. Fast, furious, complex, subtle. Terrific coordination chemistry between the talented players. One of the best club shows of the year.
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, "Rattlin' Bones." This wife-and-husband duo comes across like Australia's answer to Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons. Their stripped-down old-timey music is penetrating, heart-wrenching stuff à la "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Highlight: the super-twangy "Sweetest Waste of Time." Out Sept. 9.
