Disparate acts a draw at Red Butte

Musical legends, or at least their offspring, highlighted the Red Butte concert series this past summer.

Overall, the year's series lacked the major ticket draws of previous summers, when performances by Norah Jones, Chris Isaak or Lyle Lovett made season tickets almost a necessity. While some artists, especially the Indigo Girls, played to sold-out crowds, many of the evening shows still had plenty of room to stretch out on blankets and enjoy some exceptional music.

The most notable concert was 77-year-old legendary blues singer Koko Taylor, who may not be performing much longer, according to everyone from promoters to her band leader. Despite those dire warnings, however, Taylor tore through a short but amazing set that reminded everyone why she is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of the blues.

While she was the attraction and reason that her show was the best of the summer at Red Butte, credit also needs to be given to a last-minute shift in the lineup by venue promoters. Realizing that Taylor may have a limited set, they brought in local blues acts Sister Wives and The Legendary Porch Pounders, turning the evening into a lengthy, but highly enjoyable, blues festival.

Equally legendary is Herbie Hancock, one of the world's greatest jazz innovators. His show was easily the most impressive artistically, as he pushed the music into realms where few dare venture. Thankfully, the somewhat small crowd was indulgent and welcomed every challenge.

Of a more traditional Red Butte style was the highly entertaining and, at times, emotional Rosanne Cash show. She played multiple songs that addressed the life and death of her father, Johnny, without sounding trite, exploitative or resentful, proving that the artistic skill of her father did not skip a generation.

There were some disappointments this summer, including Joe Jackson's essentially boring show and the disjointed double-headliner concert of James McMurtry and Hot Tuna.

Most notably, there was the Nickel Creek performance, which, while entertaining and musically sound, was not cohesive. In fact, the once tight trio was so out-of-sync that it seemed more like a divorcing couple, something which was observed in the review. (After the review was posted on the band's Web site, however, devoted fans quickly and angrily disputed the observation — until the band announced its breakup a few weeks later.)

Hopefully, next year's series will continue to draw acts from increasingly disparate genres, and the promoters will not be scared off by this year's slower ticket sales.

One suggestion, which I also made last year: Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers, even as part of a double-bill.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com