Andrea Swensson of 89.3 the Current:
1 Tabah, "Curtain Call." I am mesmerized by this potent jazz-rock quintet, which releases its debut full-length album, "Symmetry Somewhere," on March 4.
2 Sonny T, Bunkers. I stopped in to catch Alex Rossi and sat in awe of his incomparable bassist Sonny Thompson, who inspired Prince as a teenager and toured in his NPG in the '90s. Legends walk among us.
3 Jay Smart, First Avenue. The opening act of the Current's birthday party had the entire main room stock-still and silent during his cover of Haley Bonar's "Kismet Kill."
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Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:
1 Tom Petty, MusiCares gala. First he gave a thoughtful, heartfelt and honest speech. Then he and the Heartbreakers were so focused and terrific for 40 minutes, with a little help from Stevie Nicks, Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison, that you soon forgot Randy Newman, the Head and the Heart, Lucinda Williams and all the stars who preceded Petty playing his songs.
2 Gary Clark Jr. live. Whether he was jamming with the Foo Fighters at MusiCares' Tom Petty tribute or with William Bell on the Grammy Awards, this guitar hero brought passion, authenticity and soulfulness to the blues.
3 RIP, Al Jarreau. An innovative singer and just a nice guy who got his musical start in Minneapolis.
