Jeff Beck, Summerfest, Milwaukee. He played several tunes off his new CD, "Emotion and Commotion," including "Hammerhead" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (there were tears in the eyes of a couple next to me) and some older songs ("Brush With the Blues" was outstanding) and encored with a cool Les Paul tribute. Unbelievable show! Jayhawks, First Avenue. Outstanding set that ran nearly two hours. Loved hearing "Bad Time" and "Blue" again. Openers Romantica were excellent; they did a cool song about the Turf Club and the lights of St. Paul.
John Scofield and the Piety Street Band, Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Very cool 90-minute set, with George Porter Jr. on bass and Jon Cleary on keyboards. What a beautiful night in an outdoor setting.
CHAZ WORTHINGTON, ST. PAUL
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Summerfest, Milwaukee. Taste of Minnesota organizers, take note: This is the biggest and greatest North America music fest, a tremendous value with 10 stages for $8 (before 4 p.m.) and $15 (after 4 p.m.), for 11 days. Plus, there are arena headliners in an amphitheater for an additional ticket.
Crossroads VIP Party, Chicago. After an effective acoustic set by Pete Huttlinger (highlight: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"), Dos Lobos (David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas, with a drummer and bassist) rocked with party spirit (highlight: "I Got Loaded").
"Lady Gaga Tells All," Rolling Stone. Well, she tells a lot about her fears, philosophies and fantasies. In her most revealing interview, she comes across as vulnerable, thoughtful, confused, ambitious, obsessive, arty and smart. Best line: "I don't want people to see I'm a human being onstage."
JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE
