Pick Six is a half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view.
Lisa Dahlseid of Robbinsdale:
1 Brandi Carlile, the Fillmore Minneapolis. What a knockout opening of the new club in the iconic chain. Twin Cities-beloved Brandi and her sidekick twins, Phil and Tim Hanseroth, christened the club with a captivating acoustic set that showcased every right way to begin the story.
2 Music at the Minnesota History Center. It's a two-for-one with the photo show "Prince: Before the Rain" and "First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota's Mainroom" (celebrating its 50th anniversary). These hand-in-glove exhibits show that the stars are brightly shining.
3 Billie Eilish, Brit Awards. In a sister/brother bond, Grammy-sweeping Eilish and her brother/producer Finneas debuted their just-written James Bond theme song, "No Time to Die," with a full orchestra. No time like today for this family dynamic duo.
Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:
1 Common's pregame performance, NBA All-Star Game. Not only did the savvy Chicago rapper/actor deliver an uncommonly compelling rap about Kobe Bryant and various things Chicago, but he also offered rhyming introductions of each and every All-Star player. And he won the MVP for the All-Star Celebrity Game. He can hoop and rhyme.
2 Rosanne Cash, the Guthrie. Working as a duo with her husband/guitarist/pianist John Leventhal, the American music great was poignant, profound, spontaneous and caught up in witty repartee. Brightest highlight: "I'm Movin' On" turning into a mashup of Hank Snow, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.
3 Justin Bieber week on "The Late, Late Show With James Corden." Loved how Corden gets Biebs out of his comfort zone, by doing thing like choreography while seated in "Carpool Karaoke," running a food truck and doing "toddlerography" by taking a dance class led by various toddlers. Goofy, yes, but it shows that Biebs can be human and humorous. A cute way to hype a new album.
