Six cool things in music, from two points of view:
The Campbell Brothers, Walker Art Center. Combine the Campbell Brothers' gospel-fueled "sacred steel" guitars – pedal steel, lap steel and electric guitars – with the ecstasy of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" and even the cool Walker crowd will rise up and shout, "Thank you!"
Flying Foot Forum, "The Percussion Project," the Cowles. In a lighthearted, high-energy evening of percussive dance and music, Peter O'Gorman stood alone onstage for "Mouthing Off," a dazzling improvisation on the simplest instruments: his own voice and body.
Jeremy Siskind, "Housewarming." Jazz composer/pianist Siskind's new album features a familiar name: Minnesota native Nancy Harms, who graced us briefly in the Twin Cities before moving to New York. Weaving among the keys and Lucas Pino's woodwinds, her voice is silky, expressive, spacious like the plains and a whisper in your ear.
Pamela Espeland,
Minnpost.com columnist
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"Going Into the City" by Robert Christgau. The self-dubbed dean of American rock critics offers a coming-of-age memoir about his personal life, New York City and music. (A Doris Day 45 was his first record.) Like his reviews, this is compelling, thoughtful and, of course, opinionated.
The Mavericks, "Mono." The second reunion album feels more like a Raul Malo solo effort. In other words, it's more for listening and less for partying. Nonetheless, it's a winner.
Bob Dylan interview, AARP the Magazine. The unedited version online finds Dylan fully engaged in a conversation about life, creativity, art, the music business, parenting, northern Minnesota — but mostly about music, singers and his new album, "Shadows in the Night." He's not an inscrutable curmudgeon this time. A down-to-earth Dylan makes for a great read.
Jon Bream, Star Tribune
